Ostrogski family


The House of Ostrogski was one of the more prominent families in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The family spanned from the 14th century Ruthenian noble Daniil Ostrogski to the 17th century Polish members. After the death of Janusz Ostrogski, the last male heir, most of the family's possessions passed to the Zasławski family.
The family played a crucial role in preserving the Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly during the Union of Brest signing in 1595. Members contributed to printing books in Church Slavonic and supporting the Orthodox brotherhoods. By the 17th century almost all members turn to Catholicism and became fully associated with the Polish nation. Many of their possessions were passed on or inherited by members of Sanguszko family.

History

The Ostrogski family was most likely of Rurikid stock and descended from Sviatopolk II of Kiev. Some scholars however claim that their descent is from the Galicia-Volhynia line of the Rurikid dynasty. Vasilko Romanovich, Prince of Slonim, may have been the grandfather of Prince Daniel Ostrogski. The probable progenitor of this family was Prince Danylo Dmytrovych, who received Ostroh from Liubartas, son of Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas. His son, Prince Feodor Danilovich Ostrogski, was a supporter of King Jagiello, who in 1386 confirmed him in possession of the Ostroh Castle and appointed governor of Volhynia in 1387. In addition to Ostrog Feodor Danilovich Ostrogski became owner of Korets, Zaslav, and other towns. In some chronicles Feodor is called Dux Fethko de Ostrog.
Their dominions in Volynia, Galicia, and Podolia included 24 towns, 10 townlets, and more than 100 villages.
Image:Posiadlosci magnaterii w XVI-XVII w.svg|thumb|right|200px|Possessions of Ostrogski are marked in pink
The most notable among Feodor's descendants was Grand Hetman of Lithuania, Prince Konstanty Ostrogski, who defeated Muscovy in the Battle of Orsha and his son Konstanty Wasyl Ostrogski.
Unlike other Ruthenian magnates, the Ostrogskis refused to give up Eastern Orthodoxy for Roman Catholicism despite the cultural pressure that led to Polonization of Ruthenian nobility. For several generations the Ostrogskis supported the religion of their forefathers, by opening schools, printing books in Ruthenian language with Cyrillic such as "Ostrog Bible" and making a generous charitable contributions to the construction of the Orthodox churches in the region.
The last male member of the family was Janusz Ostrogski ; the last female was Anna Alojza Ostrogska, married to Grand Hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz. When a junior line of the family which inherited the Ostrogoski fortune became extinct in 1682, their huge possessions passed to the Lubomirski family and other families of Polish szlachta. A complicated litigation concerning the Ostrogski inheritance continued until the Russian Empire annexed Poland during the Partitions.
Image:Zamek Ostrogskich.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ostrogski Palace in Warsaw, Poland

Notable family members