Casimir
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
patron saint of Poland, was grand-duke of Lithuania, and third son of Casimir IV, born Oct. 5,,1458, and was educated by John Dugoff, a canon of Cracow, commonly called Longinus. Casimir, in early youth, devoted himself to piety and self-denial. When the nobles of Hungary, dissatisfied with Matthias Corvinus, their king, entreated the king of Poland to send his son Casimir to occupy the throne, the latter, with extreme reluctance, went thither; but finding that the differences between Matthias and his people were adjusted, he joyfully returned home, and spent the rest of his life in exercises of devotion. He died of consumption, at Wilna, in Lithuania, March 4, 1482. He was canonized by pope Leo X. The day of his commemoration is March 4. See Landon, Eccles. Dict. s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. G neral, s.v.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
The name of five kings of Poland; the most eminent, Casimir III., called the Great, after distinguishing himself in wars against the Teutonic Knights, was elected king in 1333; recovered Silesia from Bohemia in two victories; defeated the Tartars on the Vistula, and annexed part of Lithuania; formed a code of laws, limiting both the royal authority and that of the nobles (1309-1370).
