queen consort and regent of Hungary, queen consort of Poland
1339 CE
to 1387 CE
Elizabeth of Bosnia (c. 1339 – January 1387) is queen consort and later regent of Hungary, as well as queen consort of Poland.
Daughter of Ban Stephen II of Bosnia, Elizabeth marries King Louis I of Hungary in 1353.
In 1370, she gives birth to a long-anticipated heir, Catherine, and becomes Queen of Poland when Louis succeeds his uncle, Casimir III.
The royal couple have two more daughters, Mary and Hedwig, but Catherine dies in 1378.
Initially a powerless consort with no substantial influence, Elizabeth now starts surrounding herself with noblemen loyal to her, led by her favorite, Nicholas I Garay.
When Louis dies in 1382, Mary ascends to the throne of Hungary with Elizabeth as regent.
Unable to preserve the personal union of Hungary and Poland, the queen dowager secures the Polish throne for her youngest daughter, Hedwig.
During her regency in Hungary, Elizabeth faces several rebellions led by John Horvat and John of Palisna, who attempt to take advantage of Mary's insecure reign.
In 1385, they invite King Charles III of Naples to depose Mary and assume the crown.
Elizabeth responds by having Charles murdered two months after his coronation, in 1386.
She has the crown restored to her daughter and establishes herself as regent once more, only to be captured, imprisoned and ultimately strangled by her enemies.
