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The Changing Bride of Sigismund II Augustus
Archduchess Elizabeth of Austria (b.1526: d.1538)
3rd of October, 1540: The betrothal of Sigismund Augustus and Elizabeth of Austria comes to an end after the Austrian Princess suffers an extreme epileptic seizure and ends up with a mortal wound to the head. This loss means the alliance between Poland and the Habsburg is put in jeopardy.
Archduchess Anna of Austria, Queen of Poland (b.1528: d.1590)
12th of November, 1540: To compensate for the loss of his bride, Sigismund Augustus is offered the hand of Archduchess Anna of Austria. As the bride in question is a known beauty, it is agreed and the young woman began taking lessons in Polish (independent of her parent's wishes) as to ensure her acclimation to the Kingdom of Poland. She also found herself talking to Polish visitors.