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367 ST. HEDWIG 367 of the Poles favoured his claim, and the prospect of winning over this, the last heathen nation in Europe, went far to reconcile the clergy to the breaking of a marriage contracted in childhood. Hedwig's heart said *' No." She wished to keep her faith with the husband her father had given her. He arrived in Cracow, but Dobrozlav, the governor of the castle, would not admit him. The queen could only see him by going daily with her ladies to the Franciscan convent, where he was staying. Flans were made for his entrance into the castle. According to half the historians, he came and remained there in conceal- ment for some time, but was discovered before long, and Hedwig only saved him from assassination by letting him down from her window by a rope. According to others, the stratagem was betrayed before it could be put into execution, and William found the gates barred against him. Contemporary writers, and even those about the person of the queen, never seemed to know the rights of the story. When she found that her husband would never be suffered to reign with her in Poland, she resolved to fly with him ; and finding the doors locked and guarded, she seized an axe from the hand of the sentinel, and attempted to break open the door. But this forlorn hope was frustrated, and William, after hiding in chimneys and undergoing all sorts of hardships and vexations in the desperate attempt to see her again, escaped from Cracow, leaving his money and jewels, which were speedily appro- priated by Guievosz, the chamberlain, in whose house he lodged. Hedwig now renounced her love and her hopes of happiness, and determined to live only for God and for her people. The rest of her life justified the assertion of con- temporary historians that no meaner motive directed her actions. She con- sented to the marriage with Jagiello. In February, 1386, he arrived in Cracow, was baptized by the Archbishop of Gnesen, married to the queen, and crowned King of the Poles as Ladislaus y. Ambassadors were at once despatched to the Pope to procure his blessing on the union. It has been said of Jagiello that there never was an elected king more faithful to his pledges than he was. He took an active part in the stipulated conversion of Lithuanians ; he had his soldiers summarily baptized, he and Hedwig being godfather and godmother to many of them, and helping to teach them the faith they were commanded to adopt. Jagiello translated some simple prayers into the language of his people, and with the assistance of some of the Polish nobles and clergy, established the Christian religion amongst them almost within a year from the time of his marriage. King Ladislaus and Queen Jadwiga soon became very popular throughout their dominions. Ladislaus was none the less appreciated that he was prompt in his decisions and somewhat high- handed in carrying them out. At the same time Jadwiga was enthusiastically beloved because she tempered his severity with her angelic kindness. The Canons of Gnesen offended him, and he, to punish them, laid waste their lands to the injury of their innocent vassals. The poor peasants came in great distress to the queen, who warmly took up their defence. The king, at her request, ordered their cattle and possessions to be restored to them ; and the sympathetic woman said, "Yes, you can give them back their cattle, but who will give them back their tears?" Jagiello was always much attached to her, notwith- standing some quarrels and jealousies. Once on his return from a visit to Lithuania, Guievosz, the chamberlain, who had enriched himself with William of Austria's treasure, and who dreaded that the upright and open-banded Ladislaus might order him to restore it, insinuated that, during the king's absence, Jadwiga had received visits from the Austrian prince. The queen soon discovered that her husband was displeased and jealous. She demanded a minute inquiry into her life. She insisted on being cleared of all suspicion. According to the custom of the time, the cause was to be referred to the " Judgment of God," by a combat between twelve knighte on either side. Then was all Poland as one man ready to