The spring of 1655 brought misfortunes for the Kingdom of Poland.
Nevertheless, life in the Royal Court seemed to work at its usual pace. The King’s Castle in Warsaw welcomed guests and organized balls to honor them. King Jan Kazimierz appeared to be more interested in the young girls that attended his wife than in political affairs. The Queen Maria Luisa was prone to outbursts of anger and jealousy that stopped, albeit temporarily, the amorous ventures of the King. Wine was consumed in large quantities in the castle. The tables of the dining room could barely hold all the extravagant dishes and exotic fruit.
In May, Jan Sobieski attended the Diet in Warsaw directly upon his return from the battlefield. The occasion attracted many representatives of the noble class and a large number of them were present in Poland‘s capital. Events such as balls, masquerades, theatre performances and ballets were held to entertain guests. Handsome and known for his military skills, Sobieski broke many hearts at that time. His biographer, Artur Sliwinski, describes him as tall and handsome with lively eyes, impressive mustache and Roman nose.
“With his wealth, youth and good looks, he shined like an example of health and joy of life. (…). He was playful. He could easily get angry and than quickly get over it.”
He used his sword very often, liked alcohol, and was very popular with the ladies.
Sobieski played with girls mercilessly until one ball at the King’s Castle, when the black eyes of Mary-sienka totally captivated him. The girl was only four-teen years old, but well developed. She made a tremendous impression on the young soldier. Even after many, many years, Sobieski often re-called this special moment, admi-tting that he fell in love with Mary-sienka at first sight, and with a great passion.
He allegedly decided that his life would only make sen-se if it was lived with her.
Why did the future King of Poland fail to ask Marysienka to marry him?
The attraction between the two of them was already mutual. Perhaps the young man did not find the courage to reveal his feelings about the girl to his own mother. Sobieski’s mother did not love her younger son as much as his older brother, who was decapitated by Tatars in the battle of Batoh, some three years earlier. She could, out of bitterness, prevent this marriage. Further, the Queen might have not been enthusiastic about giving her favorite girl to Sobieski, whose mother held most of his finances and whose military career was not advanced yet.
It is worth mentioning that Marysienka was not the first and only love of Sobieski. He did not waste time with women, even in his youth. While in Paris, he became involved with an impoverished French- woman and had a son with her. The boy, named Brisacier, was born in 1647 and as an adult earned a reputation as a troublemaker. Soon upon returning to Poland, Sobieski got interested in another woman who, despite her belonging to the noble class, was rather poor. ‘Handsome Jan’ wanted to marry her, but his mother altered his plans. To avoid a scandal, she persuaded some rich friend of hers to marry the girl. Jan was very upset about the whole thing and never quite forgave his mother.
The courtship between magnate Sobieski and little Maria Kazimiera did not last long. The young couple, who had just fallen for each other, were quickly separated by the war.
