Mikołaj Radziwiłł Czarny

Mikołaj Radziwiłł the Black (4 February 1515 – 28 May 1565) (, ), was a Polish-Lithuanian noble who held several administrative positions within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, including the Voivode of Vilnius, Grand Lithuanian Chancellor, and the Grand Hetman of Lithuania. He was also Reichsfürst (Prince) of the Holy Roman Empire.

Alternate renditions of his name include , , and . His first name is sometimes given in English as Nicholas.

Political influence Mikołaj was able to gain much political influence thanks to the romance and then the marriage between his cousin Barbara Radziwiłł and the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund II Augustus. This made him one of the most powerful royal advisers. Mikołaj became Marshal of Lithuania, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania, as well as Palatine of Vilnius, gained immense wealth and became the most powerful magnate in the Commonwealth of that time. The growing influence of the Radziwiłł family was further bolstered when, during a diplomatic mission to Charles V and Ferdinand I, he and his cousin Mikołaj Radziwiłł the Red received a hereditary title of Prince (Reichsfürst (SRI)).

Religious activities He was known for his religious beliefs, as he was one of the most prominent converts and advocates of the Reformed churches faith in Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

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