The New Student's Reference Work/John II (of Poland)

John II of Poland was the younger son of Sigismund III.  Haying embarked for Spain, to persuade Philip III to form a league against France, he was shipwrecked and imprisoned for two years at Vincennes.  Being released on a promise by his brother, the king of Portugal, never to war against the king of France, he went to western Europe, became a Jesuit priest, and was made a cardinal by Innocent X.  Returning to Poland, he became king after his stepbrother Ladislaus in 1648.  During his reign Poland was attacked by Russia and Sweden, the war ending victoriously for Poland and several provinces being added to her territory.  John surrendered the crown in 1668, and retired to France, where he died on Dec. 16, 1672.