Bezprym
Encyclopedia
Bezprym was a Duke of Poland during 1031–1032.
He was the eldest son of Bolesław I the Brave, King of Poland, but was deprived of the succession by his father, who around 1001 sent him to Italy
, in order to became a monk at one of Saint Romuald's hermitages in Ravenna
.
Expelled by his half-brother Mieszko II Lambert
after the death of their father, in 1031 Bezprym became ruler of large areas of Poland following simultaneous attack of the German and Kievan forces and Mieszko II's escape to Bohemia
. His reign was short-lived and, according to some sources, extremely cruel. He was murdered in 1032 and Mieszko II returned to the throne of Poland. It's speculated that Pagan Reaction
began during his short reign
) Besfrim (Annalista Saxo
), Bezbriem (Chronicles of Hildesheim and Altaic Chronicles). This name wasn't used among the Polish nobility but was known in the Bohemian sources, where it appears as: Bezprim, Bezprem, Bezperem. According to one of the hypotheses the name is of Slavonic origin, and was probably originally pronounced as Bezprzem or Bezprzym. Due to tradition and the impossibility of determining the correct version of the name, Bezprym remains the form used, although, according to K. Jasiński, it probably requires modifications.
Older historiography frequently combined the figures of Bolesław I's two sons, Otto
and Bezprym, or even attributed to Bezprym the middle name of Otto. Marian Gumowski also suggested, on the basis of numismatic research that this "combined" prince could have governed Bohemia
in 1003. These theories are based on the chronicle of Wipo of Burgundy
, who described only one brother of Mieszko II, Otto. Modern historians assume, however, that Bezprym in fact did exist, and that the chronicler erroneously combined Otto and Bezprym into one person.
, daughter of Géza, Grand Duke of Hungary
. Though opinions vary about the identity of Bolesław I 's second wife, there is a number of researchers who still support the hypothesis of her being the daughter of Géza. Soon after his birth, the marriage of his parents ended, probably because of the deterioration in political relations between Poland and Hungary. Bezprym's mother was repudiated and sent away, although probably she remained in Poland and died soon afterwards.
Shortly after his divorce, Bolesław I remarried with Emnilda of Lusatia
, who bore him five children. The eldest son of this union, the future Mieszko II Lambert
, born in 990.
About Bezprym's first years of life almost nothing is known, in contrast with his half-brother Mieszko II, whose youth was fully described in several contemporary sources. This probably showed that his father disliked him and considered Mieszko II as his successor since his birth, which was already confirmed by Bolesław I's later political activity.
Bezprym was then destined to a Church career, a fact who is demonstrated in the Vita of St. Saint Romuald
, an hermit
from Ravenna
. There it is stated that in one of the hermitages resided a son of a Polish Duke, who in 1001 gave him a horse. According to modern historians, this Polish prince could only be Bezprym. However, in earlier historiography, it was theorised that the Polish prince who lived in the hermitage of Ravenna was Lambert
, son of Mieszko I or an unknown son of Bolesław I from his first marriage with the daughter of Rikdag, Margrave of Meissen.
It's possible that he was in Hungary and there he was appointed head of Veszprém
and Zala county. In this case the name "Veszprém" originated from his name. Nevertheless, this hypothesis proposed by a Hungarian researcher didn't find acceptance among Polish historians. It is also probable that Bezprym was present at the coronation of his father as King of Poland in Gniezno Cathedral
on 25 April 1025.
.
Bezprym took refuge in Kievan Rus and probably used the weakened position of Mieszko II as an excuse to gain the alliance of the Rurikids ruler Yaroslav I the Wise
and Mstislav
. In 1031, while Mieszko II was defending the western border from the German expedition of Conrad II, Bezprym and the Kievan forces entered into Poland. Mieszko II at that time was busy defending Lusatia
and consequently was unable to repel the Kievan attack. He then was forced to escape to Bohemia, where he was imprisoned and castrated by orders of Duke Oldrich. Yaroslav I the Wise annexed Red Ruthenia
to his domains and Bezprym ascended to the Polish throne. Yaroslav I's troops intervened directly in the central provinces of the country, aiming at embedding the new Duke on the throne, but this fact is now considered doubtful. It's possible that the new rule of Bezprym was attractive to the population. Some scholars assume that he could even stand at the head of the so-called Pagan Reaction
.
to the Emperor. Thus, he resigned from the royal title and accepted the primacy of his western neighbor. The Royal crown and regalia were personally delivered by Mieszko II's wife, Queen Richeza. In 1031, together with her children Casimir, Ryksa
and Gertruda
, she left the country. At the court of Emperor Conrad II, the deposed Queen was received with all honors, and also was allowed to continue to use the royal title. The departure of Richeza, and especially of her son, was extremely beneficial for Bezprym, because (at least temporarily) this eliminated a possible pretender to the throne. Mieszko II wasn't considered too dangerous at that time, since he was imprisoned and castrated in Bohemia by orders of Duke Oldrich.
However, there probably remained a large group of supporters of the former ruler. It's believed that Bezprym began his bloody persecution against them shortly after he began his government. Many representatives of the Polish social elite were forced to flee as a result. According to sources, some of them took refuge in Masovia. Perhaps among the victims of the repression, there were two Bishops, whose date of death is recorded in 1032 in the Chronicles of the Chapter of Kraków: Roman and Lambert. The brutal fight with the opposition could have led to the above-mentioned Pagan Reaction, however it was probably instigated by discontent against the power of the Church and with the state apparatus. Contemporary historiography places the riots in 1031-1032, during the reign of Bezprym. The reaction wasn't only of a religious background, but social. Mainly it was a reflection of the economic state caused by the aggressive policy of Bolesław I the Brave and less successful rule of Mieszko II. The defeat in the battle in the west during that period cut off the basic source of livelihood of the Polish troops, who were forced to loot the western lands. As a result, the cost of maintaining the existence of an extensive army was probably too much for the population. In addition, the devastating incursions of foreign troops was another cause of dissatisfaction among the citizenship.
It is noteworthy that one can find in older historiography the currently generally rejected theory of the existence of an older son of Mieszko II, called Bolesław the Forgotten —who apparently succeeded his father in 1034 until his death in 1038—, and, according to some historians was the real instigator of the Pagan Reaction, who in consequence took power around 1034.
The Polish state as a result of Bezprym's rule had been substantially weakened. After his death the country was split into three parts: between Mieszko II, Otto, and their cousin Dytryk. This significantly increased the impact of the Holy Roman Empire
on Polish affairs. Poland also lost its status as "kingdom" for nearly a half century .
He was the eldest son of Bolesław I the Brave, King of Poland, but was deprived of the succession by his father, who around 1001 sent him to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, in order to became a monk at one of Saint Romuald's hermitages in Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
.
Expelled by his half-brother Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert was King of Poland during 1025–1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death.He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emmilda, daughter of Dobromir, possible ruler of Lusatia. He was probably named after his paternal grandfather, Mieszko I...
after the death of their father, in 1031 Bezprym became ruler of large areas of Poland following simultaneous attack of the German and Kievan forces and Mieszko II's escape to Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. His reign was short-lived and, according to some sources, extremely cruel. He was murdered in 1032 and Mieszko II returned to the throne of Poland. It's speculated that Pagan Reaction
Pagan reaction in Poland
The Pagan reaction in Poland was a series of events in the Kingdom of Poland of the 1030s that culminated in a popular uprising. It was caused by dissatifaction with the economic situation and with the process of Christianization.-See also:...
began during his short reign
Origin of his name
In primary sources Bezprym appears as: Besprim (Chronicles of Thietmar of MerseburgThietmar of Merseburg
Thietmar of Merseburg was a German chronicler who was also bishop of Merseburg.-Life:...
) Besfrim (Annalista Saxo
Annalista Saxo
The Annalista Saxo is the anonymous author of an important imperial chronicle, believed to have originated in Nienburg Abbey in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.- General :...
), Bezbriem (Chronicles of Hildesheim and Altaic Chronicles). This name wasn't used among the Polish nobility but was known in the Bohemian sources, where it appears as: Bezprim, Bezprem, Bezperem. According to one of the hypotheses the name is of Slavonic origin, and was probably originally pronounced as Bezprzem or Bezprzym. Due to tradition and the impossibility of determining the correct version of the name, Bezprym remains the form used, although, according to K. Jasiński, it probably requires modifications.
Older historiography frequently combined the figures of Bolesław I's two sons, Otto
Otto Bolesławowic
Otto Bolesławowic was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast.He was the third son of Bolesław I the Brave but the second born from his third marriage with Emnilda, daughter of Dobromir, a Slavic prince of Lusatia.-Life:...
and Bezprym, or even attributed to Bezprym the middle name of Otto. Marian Gumowski also suggested, on the basis of numismatic research that this "combined" prince could have governed Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
in 1003. These theories are based on the chronicle of Wipo of Burgundy
Wipo of Burgundy
Wipo of Burgundy priest and writer. He was chaplain to the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II, whose biography he wrote in chronicle form, Gesta Chuonradi II imperatoris....
, who described only one brother of Mieszko II, Otto. Modern historians assume, however, that Bezprym in fact did exist, and that the chronicler erroneously combined Otto and Bezprym into one person.
Early Years
Bezprym was the only child of Bolesław I the Brave born from his second marriage with an unknown Hungarian princess who, in older literature, was identified as JudithJudith of Hungary
Judith of Hungary was a Hungarian princess member of the House of Arpad and by marriage member of the House of Piast, who ruled Poland at that time....
, daughter of Géza, Grand Duke of Hungary
Géza of Hungary
Géza , Grand Prince of the Hungarians .Géza was the son of Taksony of Hungary, Grand Prince of the Hungarians and his Pecheneg or Bulgar wife. Géza's marriage with Sarolt, the daughter of Gyula of Transylvania, was arranged by his father.After his father's death , Géza followed him as Grand Prince...
. Though opinions vary about the identity of Bolesław I 's second wife, there is a number of researchers who still support the hypothesis of her being the daughter of Géza. Soon after his birth, the marriage of his parents ended, probably because of the deterioration in political relations between Poland and Hungary. Bezprym's mother was repudiated and sent away, although probably she remained in Poland and died soon afterwards.
Shortly after his divorce, Bolesław I remarried with Emnilda of Lusatia
Emnilda of Lusatia
Emnilda of Lusatia , was a Slavic princess and by marriage Duchess of Poland. She was a daughter of certain Dobromir, a Slavic leader ruler of Lusatia and Milsko, who was named venerable by Thietmar of Merseburg.- Life :...
, who bore him five children. The eldest son of this union, the future Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert was King of Poland during 1025–1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death.He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emmilda, daughter of Dobromir, possible ruler of Lusatia. He was probably named after his paternal grandfather, Mieszko I...
, born in 990.
About Bezprym's first years of life almost nothing is known, in contrast with his half-brother Mieszko II, whose youth was fully described in several contemporary sources. This probably showed that his father disliked him and considered Mieszko II as his successor since his birth, which was already confirmed by Bolesław I's later political activity.
Bezprym was then destined to a Church career, a fact who is demonstrated in the Vita of St. Saint Romuald
Romuald
Saint Romuald was the founder of the Camaldolese order and a major figure in the eleventh-century "Renaissance of eremitical asceticism"....
, an hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
from Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
. There it is stated that in one of the hermitages resided a son of a Polish Duke, who in 1001 gave him a horse. According to modern historians, this Polish prince could only be Bezprym. However, in earlier historiography, it was theorised that the Polish prince who lived in the hermitage of Ravenna was Lambert
Lambert Mieszkowic
Lambert Mieszkowic , was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast.He was the fourth son of Mieszko I of Poland but the third born from his second marriage with Oda, daughter of Dietrich of Haldensleben, Margrave of the North March.-Life:Nothing is known about his first years of life...
, son of Mieszko I or an unknown son of Bolesław I from his first marriage with the daughter of Rikdag, Margrave of Meissen.
It's possible that he was in Hungary and there he was appointed head of Veszprém
Veszprém
Veszprém is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county of the same name.-Location:...
and Zala county. In this case the name "Veszprém" originated from his name. Nevertheless, this hypothesis proposed by a Hungarian researcher didn't find acceptance among Polish historians. It is also probable that Bezprym was present at the coronation of his father as King of Poland in Gniezno Cathedral
Gniezno Cathedral
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Adalbert is a Gothic cathedral in Gniezno, Poland. The Cathedral is known for its twelfth-century , two-winged bronze doors decorated with scenes of martyrdom of St. Wojciech and a silver relic coffin of that saint...
on 25 April 1025.
Assumption of power
Probably after Mieszko II took control over the government of Poland, both Bezprym and his youngest half-brother Otto resided in Poland for a short time. However, soon Mieszko II expelled Bezprym from the country, and probably he did the same with Otto in 1030, when he discovered that they conspired against him with the help of Emperor Conrad IIConrad II, Holy Roman Emperor
Conrad II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1027 until his death.The son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace, he inherited the titles of count of Speyer and of Worms as an infant when Henry died at age twenty...
.
Bezprym took refuge in Kievan Rus and probably used the weakened position of Mieszko II as an excuse to gain the alliance of the Rurikids ruler Yaroslav I the Wise
Yaroslav I the Wise
Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Rus, known as Yaroslav the Wise Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Rus, known as Yaroslav the Wise Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Rus, known as Yaroslav the Wise (Old Norse: Jarizleifr; ; Old East Slavic and Russian: Ярослав Мудрый; Ukrainian: Ярослав Мудрий; c...
and Mstislav
Mstislav of Chernigov
Mstislav of Chernigov was the earliest attested ruler of Chernigov . He was Vladimir the Great's son, probably by Rogneda of Polotsk, although his exact position in the family has been disputed. It is not clear, for instance, whether Yaroslav the Wise was his younger or elder brother...
. In 1031, while Mieszko II was defending the western border from the German expedition of Conrad II, Bezprym and the Kievan forces entered into Poland. Mieszko II at that time was busy defending Lusatia
Lusatia
Lusatia is a historical region in Central Europe. It stretches from the Bóbr and Kwisa rivers in the east to the Elbe valley in the west, today located within the German states of Saxony and Brandenburg as well as in the Lower Silesian and Lubusz voivodeships of western Poland...
and consequently was unable to repel the Kievan attack. He then was forced to escape to Bohemia, where he was imprisoned and castrated by orders of Duke Oldrich. Yaroslav I the Wise annexed Red Ruthenia
Red Ruthenia
Red Ruthenia is the name used since medieval times to refer to the area known as Eastern Galicia prior to World War I; first mentioned in Polish historic chronicles in the 1321, as Ruthenia Rubra or Ruthenian Voivodeship .Ethnographers explain that the term was applied from the...
to his domains and Bezprym ascended to the Polish throne. Yaroslav I's troops intervened directly in the central provinces of the country, aiming at embedding the new Duke on the throne, but this fact is now considered doubtful. It's possible that the new rule of Bezprym was attractive to the population. Some scholars assume that he could even stand at the head of the so-called Pagan Reaction
Pagan reaction in Poland
The Pagan reaction in Poland was a series of events in the Kingdom of Poland of the 1030s that culminated in a popular uprising. It was caused by dissatifaction with the economic situation and with the process of Christianization.-See also:...
.
Government
Shortly after taking power, Bezprym sent the Royal crown and regaliaPolish Crown Jewels
The only surviving original piece of the Polish Crown Jewels from the time of the Piast dynasty is the ceremonial sword - Szczerbiec. It is currently on display along with other preserved royal items in the Wawel Royal Castle Museum, Kraków....
to the Emperor. Thus, he resigned from the royal title and accepted the primacy of his western neighbor. The Royal crown and regalia were personally delivered by Mieszko II's wife, Queen Richeza. In 1031, together with her children Casimir, Ryksa
Adelaide/Rixa of Poland
Adelaide/Richeza of Poland, was Queen Consort of Hungary.She was a daughter of King Mieszko II Lambert of Poland, and his wife, Richeza of Lotharingia. She is traditionally called Richeza, but contemporary sources do not confirm this name...
and Gertruda
Gertrude of Poland
Gertrude , princess of Poland, was the daughter of King Mieszko II of Poland and Richeza of Lotharingia.In 1043, she was married to Iziaslav I of Kiev. She had three sons, Yaropolk Iziaslavich, Mstislav and Sviatopolk II, by her husband.Her daughter Eupraxia later married her cousin's son Mieszko...
, she left the country. At the court of Emperor Conrad II, the deposed Queen was received with all honors, and also was allowed to continue to use the royal title. The departure of Richeza, and especially of her son, was extremely beneficial for Bezprym, because (at least temporarily) this eliminated a possible pretender to the throne. Mieszko II wasn't considered too dangerous at that time, since he was imprisoned and castrated in Bohemia by orders of Duke Oldrich.
However, there probably remained a large group of supporters of the former ruler. It's believed that Bezprym began his bloody persecution against them shortly after he began his government. Many representatives of the Polish social elite were forced to flee as a result. According to sources, some of them took refuge in Masovia. Perhaps among the victims of the repression, there were two Bishops, whose date of death is recorded in 1032 in the Chronicles of the Chapter of Kraków: Roman and Lambert. The brutal fight with the opposition could have led to the above-mentioned Pagan Reaction, however it was probably instigated by discontent against the power of the Church and with the state apparatus. Contemporary historiography places the riots in 1031-1032, during the reign of Bezprym. The reaction wasn't only of a religious background, but social. Mainly it was a reflection of the economic state caused by the aggressive policy of Bolesław I the Brave and less successful rule of Mieszko II. The defeat in the battle in the west during that period cut off the basic source of livelihood of the Polish troops, who were forced to loot the western lands. As a result, the cost of maintaining the existence of an extensive army was probably too much for the population. In addition, the devastating incursions of foreign troops was another cause of dissatisfaction among the citizenship.
It is noteworthy that one can find in older historiography the currently generally rejected theory of the existence of an older son of Mieszko II, called Bolesław the Forgotten —who apparently succeeded his father in 1034 until his death in 1038—, and, according to some historians was the real instigator of the Pagan Reaction, who in consequence took power around 1034.
Death and Aftermaths
The rule of Bezprym didn't last long. The reason for his downfall was his extreme cruelty. According to the Chronicles of Hildesheim, he was murdered by his own men no later than spring of 1032. Probably the instigators of his death were his half-brothers, although the main conspirator was Otto, who remained free in Germany. The place of his burial is unknown.The Polish state as a result of Bezprym's rule had been substantially weakened. After his death the country was split into three parts: between Mieszko II, Otto, and their cousin Dytryk. This significantly increased the impact of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
on Polish affairs. Poland also lost its status as "kingdom" for nearly a half century .