Báthory, Stefano, King of Poland

BÁTHORY, STEFANO, king of POLONIA. - B. in 1533, d. at Grodno on 12 Dec. 1586. Elected in 1575 by the lesser Polish nobility (Schlachta), after the abdication of Enrico di Valois, he was universally recognized as king of Poland especially following his marriage to Anna Jagellona. Owing to his excellent government, during which he laboured much, among other things, for the Catholic restoration in Poland, he is considered one of the most illustrious sovereigns of that nation. He fought successfully against Ivan IV the Terrible, occupying Polotsk (1579), which he retained even after the peace negotiated by the Jesuit Antonio Possevino, envoy of Gregorio XIII, to whom the Czar himself had turned for this purpose. A supporter of the Jesuits, he raised their college at Wilna to the rank of an academy, and also contributed to the foundation of new colleges of the Order in the kingdom.