Divorce of Teofila Zasławska née Ostrogska and Józef Karol Lubomirski from 1695 to 1702

Abstract

This article describes the convoluted divorce of Teofila née Ostrogska-Zasławska 1ºv. Wiśniowiecka, the niece of King John III Sobieski with her second husband, Józef
Karol Lubomirski. The Court Marshal of the Crown had an affair with her lady-in-thewaiting but unofficially his infidelity was connected with the dispute over administering the Ostrogski Ordination. The affair became well-known in the circles of Polish magnates. Having insulted the king’s majesty and the dignity of his office and having flagrantly sinned in the public eye Lubomirski was excommunicated in 1696. This action allowed his wife to obtain the separation decree from the bishop’s tribunal at Kraków and later the marriage annulment from Rome. However, her efforts did not discourage Józef Karol from mishandling his wife’s estate, offending her and making blatant appearances with his
mistress. Despite that Teofila remained active in the public life, she participated in many political and court events. As a lone woman, she took responsibility over her vast estate
and education of her children. She facilitated the careers and favorable marriages of her offspring.