Jadwiga of Andechs
Persons, originating from Poland

Jadwiga of Andechs
In Polish: Jadwiga Śląska
In German: Hedwig von Andechs or Hedwig von Schlesien.
Born 1174
Died  October 1243

Jadwiga was born at Andechs Castle, Bavaria, as daughter of Berthold III, Count of Tyrol and Duke of Carinthia and Istria (Andechs-Meran), and his wife Agnes.
At the age of 18, Jadwiga married Henry I the Bearded of Głogów. In 1233 Henry became Duke of Greater Poland. He died in battle with the Mongols in 1238. after his death, Jadwiga entered the Cistercian convent of Trzebnica.
Jadwiga always helped the poor, went barefoot even in winter, and donated all her fortune to the Church and the poor.
When she died, she was buried at Trzebnica, while relics of her are preserved at Andechs Abbey. Jadwiga was canonized in 1267. She is the patron saint of Brandenburg, Berlin, Silesia and its capital Wrocław, of Trzebnica, the Diocese of Görlitz, of Andechs and of Kraków.
More information

Polonica stamps:
Berlin (West) 1955, 26 XI
German Fed. Rep. 1993, 14 X