Born: Unknown, Poland
Died: Unknown
Country most active: Poland
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Wanda, immortalized in legend and song, has been, from the Eighth century, the symbol of the heroism and patriotism of Polish womanhood. She was the daughter of King Krak, founder of the Polish capital, Krakow, and assumed the reins of government after his death. Soon after she ascended the throne, Germanic tribes began an invasion of Poland. Ridieger, one of the German nobles, desired Wanda for his wife, and after the fashion of those days, laid siege not only to her heart, but her lands also. But Wanda did not want to become the wife of the invader and foe, and at the head of her army, she repulsed the enemy in several battles. Reahzing that Ridieger’s determination remained unchanged, she decided to make the supreme sacrifice. She summoned the council and leaders of the army, and declared her intention of giving her life for the sake of her people. In spite of their entreaties, she threw herself from the battlements of the Castle of Krakow into the river below, the Wisla, and sacrificed her life for the good of her nation. Wanda shall live forever in the memories of her people not only as a Queen and a successful leader in battle, but as a true woman, to whom no sacrifice is too great. And through the entire history of Poland, for more than a thousand years, the heroic deeds of Polish women have become immortal. Some of these women, who by their greatness and nobility of heart and mind have made a patriotic contribution to Poland, and an idealistic contribution to the whole world, are presented in this book.
The following is excerpted from “Female Warriors: Memorials of Female Valour and Heroism, from the Mythological Ages to the Present Era,” by Ellen C. Clayton (Mrs. Needham), published in 1879 and shared online by Project Gutenberg.
Wanda, the first Queen-Regnant of Poland, was unanimously elected by the people on the death of her father, Cracus, about the year 700. She was a talented woman, and esteemed herself fully capable of conducting the government without the assistance of a husband. To the numerous offers of marriage she received, a refusal was the invariable answer. At last Rudiger, a German prince, hoping to bring about a happy union by force of arms, invaded Poland with a great army.
Wanda raised troops, and advanced to meet the invaders. When the opposing armies came in sight, Rudiger, believing that his warlike preparations must needs have terrified the queen, besought her to accept him, and thus save the lives of their soldiers. Wanda answered that no man should ever share her throne, because he would love her kingdom better than herself. When this spirited answer was spread amongst Rudiger’s officers, they refused to fight against so heroic a queen. Surrounding the prince, they endeavoured to dissuade him from risking a battle; but finding their remonstrances vain, they refused to second his efforts, and Rudiger, in despair, flung himself on his sword.
Wanda returned in triumph to Cracow. She never received another proposal of marriage.