Jadwiga of Poland was a queen who ruled from 1384 until her death in 1399. Born in 1373, she was the daughter of Louis I of Anjou, the King of Hungary and Poland. Jadwiga became the first female monarch of Poland and was crowned as king, emphasizing her authority. She played a crucial role in uniting Poland and Lithuania through her marriage to Władysław II Jagiełło, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Jadwiga was known for her piety and commitment to education and the arts. She founded the University of Kraków, which became a significant center of learning in Central Europe. Her reign is remembered for promoting cultural and religious tolerance, as well as her efforts to support the poor and the church.