:''For his father of the same name, see
Krzysztof Mikołaj "Piorun" Radziwiłł''
Prince 'Krzysztof Radziwiłł' (
1585-
1640) was a
Polish-Lithuanian noble (
szlachcic), and a notable
magnate of his epoch. Sometimes referred to as ''Krzysztof Radziwiłł II'', to distinguish him from his father,
Krzysztof Mikołaj 'Piorun' Radziwłł.
Owner of
Biržai, Field Hetman of Lithuania since
1615,
Castellan of
Vilnius since
1633,
Voivode of
Vilnius Voivodeship since
1633, Great Lithuanian
Hetman since
1635,
starost of
Mahilyow,
Bystrzyca,
Žiežmariai and Seje. In 1632 he served as the Speaker of the Sejm.
He took part in the campaign against the Swedes in Baltic countries in 1621-1622 (
Polish-Swedish War), where he agreed to a truce. Important commander of Lithuanian forces during the
Smolensk War, where he was instrumental in obtaining the capitulation of the Russian army, also successfully fought in
Inflanty against Sweden until 1635. Afterwards he retired from his military career, concentrating on administering his estates. Calvinist, great protector of Protestants in Lithuania.
Opponent of Catholic king
Sigismund III Vasa, but supporter of his more tolerant son,
Władysław IV Waza. Advocate of Władysław's marriage to protestant princess, but after Władysław declined this marriage proposal he distanced himself from the king. Opponent of alliance between the Commonwealth and the
Habsburgs. On his lands in
Kėdainiai he set up a
Calvinist cultural and religious centre, which florished till the 19th century as a center of the
Polish Reformed Church
His large horse stables were famous throughout Europe.