Boleslaus of Greater Poland
Encyclopedia
Bolesław the Pious (1224/27 – 14 April 1279) was a Duke of Greater Poland
during 1239–1247 (according to some historians during 1239–1241 sole Duke of Ujście
), Duke of Kalisz
during 1247–1249, Duke of Gniezno
during 1249–1250, Duke of Gniezno-Kalisz during 1253–1257, Duke of whole Greater Poland and Poznań
during 1257–1273, in 1261 ruler over Ląd
, regent of the Duchies of Masovia, Płock and Czersk
during 1262–1264, ruler over Bydgoszcz during 1268–1273, Duke of Inowrocław during 1271–1273, and Duke of Gniezno-Kalisz since 1273 until his death.
He was the second son of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland by his wife Hedwig
, who was probably daughter of Duke Mestwin I of Pomerania, or a member of the Premyslid dynasty
. His name was very popular in the Piast dynasty
, so it's unknown exactly after whom he was named. Very soon Bolesław received the nickname of "the Pious" (Latin
: Pius), given to him during his lifetime by the Chronicle of the Chapter of Poznań.
and Nakło. In 1241, however, they effectively began to claim the lost lands by their father. By 1243 was recovered most of the Duchies of Poznań
and Gniezno
, in 1244 Kalisz
, in 1247 Santok
, and in 1249 Wieluń
. In 1244 Bolesław supported his brother in the conflict that broke out between the local nobility and the clergy led by the Bishop of Poznań Bogufał II for the privileges granted by Władysław Odonic in 1237. On 24 April 1245 was knighted by Przemysł I during the solemn Mass in honor of St. Adalbert in Gniezno, celebrated by Archbishop Pełka.
and Przemęt
with the north of Warta River and thence to the Odra River: briefly speaking, this lands were the whole Duchy of Kalisz
. This division, though rather injust for Bolesław, was approved by the Church and after he protested, was threatened with the excommunication. Despite now he had his own district, Bolesław didn't pursue a foreign policy, who continue under the hands of his brother, a fact revealed during the dispute with Duke Casimir I of Kuyavia for the possession of Ladzka, who was given to him by Henry II the Pious
as a dowry of his daughter Constance -Casimir I's second wife-; this decision wasn't recognized by Władysław Odonic's sons, but eventually they reconciled and even signed and an alliance with the Kuyavian Duke, which effectively ended with any attempt to change the ownership of the disputed land.
In 1249 Bolesław, dissatisfied with the excessive tutelage of his older brother, persuaded him to make a new division of their patrimony. He received the Duchies of Kalisz
and Gniezno
, with the addition of Wieluń
, who shortly after returned under the rule of Władysław Odonic's sons. Apparently, the new division was made pacefully, because later in that same year the brothers together gave support to Konrad I of Głogów
against his brother Bolesław II the Bald. However, on 19 May 1250 took place an unexplained event, who was related by the Chronicle of Greater Poland:
The conflict certainly wasn't trivial, since Bolesław regained its freedom only on 20 April 1253, thanks to the pressures of the powerful Greater Poland clergy. The final reconciliation between the brothers occurred in May of that year at a meeting in Pogorzelica near Giecz
, where (thanks to the mediation of the Archbishop of Gniezno, Pełka), Bolesław could recover his Duchy of Kalisz-Gniezno. Since them the cooperation between the brothers took place without problems, but Bolesław was still aparted from the foreign politics. On 8 May 1254 Bolesław took part in the national Congress of Piast princes at Kraków
on occasion of the canonization of St. Stanislaus, were was also decided to form a coalition against Swantopolk II, Duke of Pomerania. Among the princes who participated were: his brother Przemysł I, Casimir I of Kuyavia
, Siemowit I of Masovia, Władysław of Opole and Bolesław V the Chaste. In September of that year Bolesław participated in the expedition against Henry III the White launched by his brother and Konrad I of Głogów.
. Although the posthumous son of his brother, Przemysł II, was born on 14 October of that year, until he was declared an adult, his guardianship was taken by Boleslaw. The first of Bolesław's new foreign politics was his marriage in 1258 with Princess Jolenta (Helena)
, daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary
. This union resulted in a permanent bond between Bolesław and Hungary
, who was reflected in the assistance given to them in the conflict with Bohemia
after the extinction of the House of Babenberg. For Bolesław, this alliance cost him a complete devastation of Greater Poland during the winter of 1267-1268 by troops of King Ottokar II of Bohemia
during his return from an expedition against the Prussians. One of the stages of this war was also the trip taken by Bolesław together with Bolesław V the Chaste and Leszek II the Black
in the autumn of 1273 in order to visit Władysław of Opole, an ally of the Premyslid dynasty
.
, Duke of Pomerania
-Demmin
, Siemowit I of Masovia, Bolesław V the Chaste and Roman Danylovich
, Prince of Navahradak
. The war ended in a full victory and Ladzka returned to Greater Poland. The formal treaty was signed on 29 November 1259; however, Casimir I delayed in fulfilled the provisions of the agreement, which led in 1261 to a new military expedition.
On 23 June 1262 Siemowit I was killed at the hands of the Lithuania
n troops and his eldest son Konrad II was taken prisoner. Both Konrad II and his younger brother Bolesław II
are minors at that time; for this reason, Bolesław became in regent of their domains (Duchies of Masovia, Płock and Czersk
) for the next two years, until 1264, when Konrad II obtain his freedom and return to Masovia.
In 1268 Bolesław interfered again in the Kuyavian affairs. Casimir I's son, Duke Ziemomysł
of Inowrocław, followed a policy of close contacts with the Teutonic Order and Duke Sambor II of Pomerania
(who became in his father-in-law). This caused a deep insatisfaction among the local nobility, who called Bolesław for help. The Greater Poland Duke quickly took Radziejów
, Kruszwica
and the castle in Bydgoszcz; however, the rapid action did Ziemomysł regain temporary control of this lands.
Despite this success, Ziemomysł continue with his German-Pomeranian politics, who caused a new revolt from his subjects, who called again Bolesław for help: in 1271 he invaded the Duchy of Inowrocław and forced Ziemomysł to escape. Bolesław retain the Duchy until 1273, when he gave it to Ziemomysł's brother Leszek II the Black
, except Radziejów and Kruszwica, who remained in Greater Poland.
, ruled by the House of Ascania; with this, followed the policy of his brother Przemysł I, who even betrothed his eldest daughter Constance with Conrad, son of Margrave John I. Three years after Przemysł I's death (in 1260), Constance and Conrad were formally married. As a dowry, Brandenburg received the castellany of Santok
(but without the important main city) with the consent of a wiec
reunited in Greater Poland, which took place on 1 July 1260 in Poznań
.
However, the expected peace thanks to this marriage was short-lived. In early 1265 Brandenburg occuped the main city of Santok and broke the previous agreement. Thanks to an immediate diplomatic intervention, Bolesław soon signed a new treaty with Brandenburg, under which Greater Poland burned the fortress build in Drezdenko
, and Brandenburg also burned his fortress in Santok. But in 1269 the war with Brandenburg erupted again. They built a fortress in Sulęcin
, and in response Bolesław made the same thing in Międzyrzecz
. The invasion to Międzyrzecz launched by the Margraves of Brandenburg has been successfully repulsed by Bolesław, who in December 1269 could advanced until Lubusz (in addition, during this expedition were burned several fortresses, included the newly built in Sulęcin). Both sides made a new agreement and were restored the fortress in Santok (from Brandenburg) and Drezdenko (from Greater Poland). Unfortunately, the latter was captured by Brandenburg in 1270. For this reason, in the spring of 1271 Bolesław organized a major military expedition against Santok and Neumark
(ravaging this land terribly), but he can't recover the lost domains.
The war with the House of Ascania wasn't limited to the border areas of Greater Poland. By 1272 Bolesław entered in an alliance with Mestwin II, Duke of Pomerania-Gdańsk
; one year later (in 1273), he renewed his homage to Brandenburg and promised his help to the Margraviate against all his enemies, except the Duke of Greater Poland. In the same year was launched another expedition against Brandenburg. Although the nominal leadership of the troops was given by Bolesław to his young nephew Przemysł II, the expedition was actually headed by experimented commanders such as the voivode of Poznań, Przedpełk Łodzia, and the castellan
of Kalisz Janek. They successfully reconquered both Drezdenko
and Strzelce
. The last campaign against Brandenburg during Bolesław's lifetime took in the summer of 1278, when the Greater Poland troops advanced until Myślibórz
and eventually recovered Santok.
. Also, during his rule was started the monastery of Poor Clares in Gniezno, who remained unfinished even at the time of Przemysł II's death.
On 16 August 1264 Bolesław granted the first written privilege to the Jews
of Greater Poland (the Statute of Kalisz
). It regulated the judicial authority over the Jewish population, and Jewish credit and trading activity. The comparatively liberal statute served as a basis for Jewish privileges in Poland until 1795.
. To bind Przemysł II with his politics, Bolesław arranged the marriage of his nephew with Ludgarda, daughter of Henry I the Pilgrim, Duke of Mecklenburg. In addition, Ludgarda was a granddaughter of Duke Barnim I of Pomerania
, and thanks to this union the alliance with Western Pomerania was reinforced. Dukes of Greater Poland political path, however, soon spread, as Przemysł II became involved with Henry IV Probus, and Bolesław, using the imprisonment of Henry IV in 1277, tried to force financial concessions. Bolesław supported this policy with the marriage of his firstborn daughter Elisabeth with Henry V the Fat, Duke of Legnica
.
Bolesław died on 14 April 1279 in Kalisz
and was buried in the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznań
.
(b. 1244 - d. 16/17 June aft. 1304), daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary
. They had three daughters:
After his death without male heirs, all the Greater Poland Duchy passed to his only nephew Przemysł II. Crowned King of Poland in 1295 but murdered the next year, with his death the Greater Poland branch of the Piast dynasty became extinct.
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
during 1239–1247 (according to some historians during 1239–1241 sole Duke of Ujście
Ujscie
Ujście is a town in Piła County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,888 inhabitants ....
), Duke of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
during 1247–1249, Duke of Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
during 1249–1250, Duke of Gniezno-Kalisz during 1253–1257, Duke of whole Greater Poland and Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
during 1257–1273, in 1261 ruler over Ląd
Lad, Greater Poland Voivodeship
Ląd is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Lądek, within Słupca County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately south of Słupca and east of the regional capital Poznań.The village has a population of 60....
, regent of the Duchies of Masovia, Płock and Czersk
Czersk, Masovian Voivodeship
Czersk is a settlement in the administrative district of Gmina Góra Kalwaria, within Piaseczno County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Góra Kalwaria, south-east of Piaseczno, and south-east of Warsaw....
during 1262–1264, ruler over Bydgoszcz during 1268–1273, Duke of Inowrocław during 1271–1273, and Duke of Gniezno-Kalisz since 1273 until his death.
He was the second son of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland by his wife Hedwig
Hedwig (wife of Władysław Odonic)
Hedwig , was by marriage Duchess of Greater Poland.Her parentage is disputed among historians and sources. Among the possible origins for Hedwig include:...
, who was probably daughter of Duke Mestwin I of Pomerania, or a member of the Premyslid dynasty
Premyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
. His name was very popular in the Piast dynasty
Piast dynasty
The Piast dynasty was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. It began with the semi-legendary Piast Kołodziej . The first historical ruler was Duke Mieszko I . The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir the Great...
, so it's unknown exactly after whom he was named. Very soon Bolesław received the nickname of "the Pious" (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: Pius), given to him during his lifetime by the Chronicle of the Chapter of Poznań.
Early years
Certainly the first years of Bolesław weren't easy, because he had to share the fiercely dispute of his father against Władysław III Spindleshanks (his own uncle) for his inheritance. However, is known that Władysław Odonic took care properly for the upbringing of his offspring, evidenced by the fact that Bolesław, like his older brother Przemysł I, was able to read and write Latin.Co-Duke of Greater Poland
Władysław Odonic died on 5 June 1239, and because Bolesław was a minor at that time, he remained under the custody of his brother Przemysł I. At first the brothers' heritage was small, because only covered the northern Greater Poland, UjścieUjscie
Ujście is a town in Piła County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,888 inhabitants ....
and Nakło. In 1241, however, they effectively began to claim the lost lands by their father. By 1243 was recovered most of the Duchies of Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
, in 1244 Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
, in 1247 Santok
Santok
Santok is a village in Gorzów County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Santok. It is located at the confluence of the Noteć and Warta rivers, approximately east of Gorzów Wielkopolski...
, and in 1249 Wieluń
Wielun
Wieluń is a city in central Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship .- History :...
. In 1244 Bolesław supported his brother in the conflict that broke out between the local nobility and the clergy led by the Bishop of Poznań Bogufał II for the privileges granted by Władysław Odonic in 1237. On 24 April 1245 was knighted by Przemysł I during the solemn Mass in honor of St. Adalbert in Gniezno, celebrated by Archbishop Pełka.
Duke of Kalisz-Gniezno
The indivisibility of the Duchy certainly wasn't like Bolesław and finally in 1247 he managed to persuade his brother to surrender his own Duchy. It was the land compressed between the ProsnaProsna
The Prosna is a river in central Poland, a tributary of the Warta river , with a length of 217 kilometres and the basin area of 4,925 km2 .-Towns:*Gorzów Śląski*Praszka*Wieruszów*Grabów nad Prosną*Kalisz...
and Przemęt
Przemet, Greater Poland Voivodeship
Przemęt is a village in Wolsztyn County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Przemęt. It also gives its name to the surrounding protected area called Przemęt Landscape Park...
with the north of Warta River and thence to the Odra River: briefly speaking, this lands were the whole Duchy of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
. This division, though rather injust for Bolesław, was approved by the Church and after he protested, was threatened with the excommunication. Despite now he had his own district, Bolesław didn't pursue a foreign policy, who continue under the hands of his brother, a fact revealed during the dispute with Duke Casimir I of Kuyavia for the possession of Ladzka, who was given to him by Henry II the Pious
Henry II the Pious
Henry II the Pious , of the Silesian line of the Piast dynasty was Duke of Silesia at Wrocław and Duke of Kraków and thus High Duke of all Poland as well as Duke of Southern Greater Poland from 1238 until his death. During 1238–1239 he also served as a regent of two other Piast duchies: Sandomierz...
as a dowry of his daughter Constance -Casimir I's second wife-; this decision wasn't recognized by Władysław Odonic's sons, but eventually they reconciled and even signed and an alliance with the Kuyavian Duke, which effectively ended with any attempt to change the ownership of the disputed land.
In 1249 Bolesław, dissatisfied with the excessive tutelage of his older brother, persuaded him to make a new division of their patrimony. He received the Duchies of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
and Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
, with the addition of Wieluń
Wielun
Wieluń is a city in central Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship .- History :...
, who shortly after returned under the rule of Władysław Odonic's sons. Apparently, the new division was made pacefully, because later in that same year the brothers together gave support to Konrad I of Głogów
Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Konrad I of Głogów was Duke of Głogów from 1251 until his death.He was the fourth son of Henry II the Pious, Duke of Wroclaw, by his wife Anna, daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia.-Life:...
against his brother Bolesław II the Bald. However, on 19 May 1250 took place an unexplained event, who was related by the Chronicle of Greater Poland:
-
- Przemysł captured his brother Bolesław and took all his lands and castles.
The conflict certainly wasn't trivial, since Bolesław regained its freedom only on 20 April 1253, thanks to the pressures of the powerful Greater Poland clergy. The final reconciliation between the brothers occurred in May of that year at a meeting in Pogorzelica near Giecz
Giecz
Giecz is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Dominowo, within Środa Wielkopolska County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately north of Dominowo, north-east of Środa Wielkopolska, and east of the regional capital Poznań...
, where (thanks to the mediation of the Archbishop of Gniezno, Pełka), Bolesław could recover his Duchy of Kalisz-Gniezno. Since them the cooperation between the brothers took place without problems, but Bolesław was still aparted from the foreign politics. On 8 May 1254 Bolesław took part in the national Congress of Piast princes at Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
on occasion of the canonization of St. Stanislaus, were was also decided to form a coalition against Swantopolk II, Duke of Pomerania. Among the princes who participated were: his brother Przemysł I, Casimir I of Kuyavia
Casimir I of Kuyavia
Casimir I of Kuyavia was Prince of Kujawy, Mazovia and Wielkopolska, from 1233 until his death. He was the son of Konrad I of Masovia, King of Poland, and his wife Agafia of Rus.- Life :...
, Siemowit I of Masovia, Władysław of Opole and Bolesław V the Chaste. In September of that year Bolesław participated in the expedition against Henry III the White launched by his brother and Konrad I of Głogów.
Foreign Policy
On 4 June 1257 Przemysł I died, aged only 36. With his brother's death, new horizons opened to Bolesław. First of all, he became in the undisputed sole rule over the whole Greater PolandGreater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
. Although the posthumous son of his brother, Przemysł II, was born on 14 October of that year, until he was declared an adult, his guardianship was taken by Boleslaw. The first of Bolesław's new foreign politics was his marriage in 1258 with Princess Jolenta (Helena)
Jolenta of Poland
Jolenta of Poland was the daughter of Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga...
, daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV , King of Hungary and of Croatia , duke of Styria 1254–58. One of the most famous kings of Hungary, he distinguished himself through his policy of strengthening of the royal power following the example of his grandfather Bela III, and by the rebuilding Hungary after the catastrophe of the...
. This union resulted in a permanent bond between Bolesław and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, who was reflected in the assistance given to them in the conflict with 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...
after the extinction of the House of Babenberg. For Bolesław, this alliance cost him a complete devastation of Greater Poland during the winter of 1267-1268 by troops of King Ottokar II of Bohemia
Ottokar II of Bohemia
Ottokar II , called The Iron and Golden King, was the King of Bohemia from 1253 until 1278. He was the Duke of Austria , Styria , Carinthia and Carniola also....
during his return from an expedition against the Prussians. One of the stages of this war was also the trip taken by Bolesław together with Bolesław V the Chaste and Leszek II the Black
Leszek II the Black
Leszek the Black , named after his black hair, was one of the High Dukes of the fragmented Kingdom of Poland. He ruled from 1279 to 1288, and was married to Agrippina of Slavonia with no children.- Life :...
in the autumn of 1273 in order to visit Władysław of Opole, an ally of the Premyslid dynasty
Premyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
.
Relations with the Duchies of Masovia and Kuyavia
During 1258-1261 Bolesław was involved in a long and destructive war against Casimir I of Kuyavia and his ally Swantopolk II for the castellanie of Ladzka. To this end, the Greater Poland Duke allied with Wartislaw IIIWartislaw III, Duke of Pomerania
Wartislaw III was a Griffin duke of Pomerania-Demmin. Son of Casimir II of Pomerania-Demmin and Ingardis of Denmark, he was married to a Sophia of an unknown house. As he did not have any children, Pomerania-Demmin ceased to exist with his death.Ingardis ruled Pomerania-Demmin in place of young...
, Duke of Pomerania
Pomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
-Demmin
Demmin
Demmin is a town in the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It was the capital of the former district Demmin.- Name :...
, Siemowit I of Masovia, Bolesław V the Chaste and Roman Danylovich
Roman Danylovich
Roman Danylovich , Prince of Black Ruthenia 1254–1258, Prince of Slonim?.He was born as a younger son of Danylo of Halych, a powerful prince of lands east from Poland and later king of those regions, which was most of the times called Volhynia or Ruthenia .In 1252 he was married to Gertrude,...
, Prince of Navahradak
Navahradak
-Early history:First mentioned in the Sophian First Chronicle and Fourth Novgorod Chronicle in 1044 in relation to a war of Yaroslav I the Wise against Lithuanian tribes. It was also mentioned in the Hypatian Codex under 1252 as Novogorodok -Early history:First mentioned in the Sophian First...
. The war ended in a full victory and Ladzka returned to Greater Poland. The formal treaty was signed on 29 November 1259; however, Casimir I delayed in fulfilled the provisions of the agreement, which led in 1261 to a new military expedition.
On 23 June 1262 Siemowit I was killed at the hands of the Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n troops and his eldest son Konrad II was taken prisoner. Both Konrad II and his younger brother Bolesław II
Boleslaus II of Masovia
Boleslaw II of Masovia or Boleslaw II of Płock was a ruler of Masovia. He was the younger brother Konrad II of Masovia and son of Siemowit I of Masovia. His mother was Pereyaslava , daughter of Daniel of Galicia....
are minors at that time; for this reason, Bolesław became in regent of their domains (Duchies of Masovia, Płock and Czersk
Czersk, Masovian Voivodeship
Czersk is a settlement in the administrative district of Gmina Góra Kalwaria, within Piaseczno County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Góra Kalwaria, south-east of Piaseczno, and south-east of Warsaw....
) for the next two years, until 1264, when Konrad II obtain his freedom and return to Masovia.
In 1268 Bolesław interfered again in the Kuyavian affairs. Casimir I's son, Duke Ziemomysł
Ziemomysł of Kuyavia
Ziemomysł of Kuyavia was Prince of Kuyavia from 1267-1271 and 1278-1287. He was a member of the large House of Piast- Early life :...
of Inowrocław, followed a policy of close contacts with the Teutonic Order and Duke Sambor II of Pomerania
Sambor II, Duke of Pomerania
Sambor II of Tczew was a duke of Pomerania and prince of Lubiszewo Tczewskie.Sambor was a son of Mestwin I, Duke of Pomerania, and member of the Samborides. He was married to Mechtild of Mecklenburg. His daughter, Margaret Sambiria, became Queen of Denmark in 1248 by marriage with Christopher I of...
(who became in his father-in-law). This caused a deep insatisfaction among the local nobility, who called Bolesław for help. The Greater Poland Duke quickly took Radziejów
Radziejów
Radziejów is a town in Poland, in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 45 km south of Toruń. It is the capital of Radziejów County. Its population is 5,804 .-History:...
, Kruszwica
Kruszwica
Kruszwica is a town in central Poland and is situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship .It has a population of 9,412 people .-History:...
and the castle in Bydgoszcz; however, the rapid action did Ziemomysł regain temporary control of this lands.
Despite this success, Ziemomysł continue with his German-Pomeranian politics, who caused a new revolt from his subjects, who called again Bolesław for help: in 1271 he invaded the Duchy of Inowrocław and forced Ziemomysł to escape. Bolesław retain the Duchy until 1273, when he gave it to Ziemomysł's brother Leszek II the Black
Leszek II the Black
Leszek the Black , named after his black hair, was one of the High Dukes of the fragmented Kingdom of Poland. He ruled from 1279 to 1288, and was married to Agrippina of Slavonia with no children.- Life :...
, except Radziejów and Kruszwica, who remained in Greater Poland.
War against Brandenburg
Since the beginning of his sole rule, Bolesław established contacts with the Margraviate of BrandenburgMargraviate of Brandenburg
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1157 to 1806. Also known as the March of Brandenburg , it played a pivotal role in the history of Germany and Central Europe....
, ruled by the House of Ascania; with this, followed the policy of his brother Przemysł I, who even betrothed his eldest daughter Constance with Conrad, son of Margrave John I. Three years after Przemysł I's death (in 1260), Constance and Conrad were formally married. As a dowry, Brandenburg received the castellany of Santok
Santok
Santok is a village in Gorzów County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Santok. It is located at the confluence of the Noteć and Warta rivers, approximately east of Gorzów Wielkopolski...
(but without the important main city) with the consent of a wiec
Veche
Veche was a popular assembly in medieval Slavic countries.In Novgorod, where the veche acquired the greatest prominence, the veche was broadly similar to the Norse thing or the Swiss Landsgemeinde.-Etymology:...
reunited in Greater Poland, which took place on 1 July 1260 in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
.
However, the expected peace thanks to this marriage was short-lived. In early 1265 Brandenburg occuped the main city of Santok and broke the previous agreement. Thanks to an immediate diplomatic intervention, Bolesław soon signed a new treaty with Brandenburg, under which Greater Poland burned the fortress build in Drezdenko
Drezdenko
Drezdenko is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Strzelce-Drezdenko County. It has 10,421 inhabitants .- People :* Karl Ludwig Hencke* Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum* Adam Krieger* Joachim von der Marwitz* Carl Spude* Krystian Burchart...
, and Brandenburg also burned his fortress in Santok. But in 1269 the war with Brandenburg erupted again. They built a fortress in Sulęcin
Sulecin
Sulęcin is a town in western Poland with 10638 inhabitants , the capital of Sulecin County, since 1999 in Lubusz Voivodeship.-Geography:...
, and in response Bolesław made the same thing in Międzyrzecz
Miedzyrzecz
Międzyrzecz is a town in western Poland with 18,584 inhabitants . The capital of Międzyrzecz County, it was part of the Gorzów Wielkopolski Voivodeship from 1975–1998. Since the Local Government Reorganization Act of 1998, Międzyrzecz has been situated in the Lubusz Voivodeship...
. The invasion to Międzyrzecz launched by the Margraves of Brandenburg has been successfully repulsed by Bolesław, who in December 1269 could advanced until Lubusz (in addition, during this expedition were burned several fortresses, included the newly built in Sulęcin). Both sides made a new agreement and were restored the fortress in Santok (from Brandenburg) and Drezdenko (from Greater Poland). Unfortunately, the latter was captured by Brandenburg in 1270. For this reason, in the spring of 1271 Bolesław organized a major military expedition against Santok and Neumark
Neumark
Neumark comprised a region of the Prussian province of Brandenburg, Germany.Neumark may also refer to:* Neumark, Thuringia* Neumark, Saxony* Neumark * Nowe Miasto Lubawskie or Neumark, a town in Poland, situated at river Drwęca...
(ravaging this land terribly), but he can't recover the lost domains.
The war with the House of Ascania wasn't limited to the border areas of Greater Poland. By 1272 Bolesław entered in an alliance with Mestwin II, Duke of Pomerania-Gdańsk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
; one year later (in 1273), he renewed his homage to Brandenburg and promised his help to the Margraviate against all his enemies, except the Duke of Greater Poland. In the same year was launched another expedition against Brandenburg. Although the nominal leadership of the troops was given by Bolesław to his young nephew Przemysł II, the expedition was actually headed by experimented commanders such as the voivode of Poznań, Przedpełk Łodzia, and the castellan
Castellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Kalisz Janek. They successfully reconquered both Drezdenko
Drezdenko
Drezdenko is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Strzelce-Drezdenko County. It has 10,421 inhabitants .- People :* Karl Ludwig Hencke* Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum* Adam Krieger* Joachim von der Marwitz* Carl Spude* Krystian Burchart...
and Strzelce
Strzelce
Strzelce may refer to the following places in Poland:*Strzelce Opolskie, a town in Opole Voivodeship, south-west Poland, seat of Strzelce County*Strzelce Krajeńskie, a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, west Poland, seat of Strzelce-Drezdenko County...
. The last campaign against Brandenburg during Bolesław's lifetime took in the summer of 1278, when the Greater Poland troops advanced until Myślibórz
Myslibórz
Myślibórz is a city in north-west Poland, in West Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is the capital of the Powiat of Myślibórz...
and eventually recovered Santok.
Internal Policy
Bolesław continued the policy of Przemysł I and maintain in their positions the nobles appointed by him. Also developed good relations with the Church, but also trying to influence the appointment of the most important religious posts, but not at the cost of major annoyance. His generosity to the clergy, allowed to the Franciscans to established in 1259 to GnieznoGniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
. Also, during his rule was started the monastery of Poor Clares in Gniezno, who remained unfinished even at the time of Przemysł II's death.
On 16 August 1264 Bolesław granted the first written privilege to the Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
of Greater Poland (the Statute of Kalisz
Statute of Kalisz
The General Charter of Jewish Liberties known as the Statute of Kalisz was issued by the Duke of Greater Poland Boleslaus the Pious on September 8, 1264 in Kalisz...
). It regulated the judicial authority over the Jewish population, and Jewish credit and trading activity. The comparatively liberal statute served as a basis for Jewish privileges in Poland until 1795.
Relations with Przemysł II. Death
In 1273, after the victorious expedition against Brandenburg, Przemysł II began to claim his own separated Duchy. Unable to faced the powerful pressure, Bolesław agreed to this and given his nephew the district of PoznańPoznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
. To bind Przemysł II with his politics, Bolesław arranged the marriage of his nephew with Ludgarda, daughter of Henry I the Pilgrim, Duke of Mecklenburg. In addition, Ludgarda was a granddaughter of Duke Barnim I of Pomerania
Barnim I, Duke of Pomerania
Barnim I the Good from the Griffin dynasty was a Duke of Pomerania from 1220 until his death.-Life:...
, and thanks to this union the alliance with Western Pomerania was reinforced. Dukes of Greater Poland political path, however, soon spread, as Przemysł II became involved with Henry IV Probus, and Bolesław, using the imprisonment of Henry IV in 1277, tried to force financial concessions. Bolesław supported this policy with the marriage of his firstborn daughter Elisabeth with Henry V the Fat, Duke of Legnica
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
.
Bolesław died on 14 April 1279 in Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
and was buried in the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
.
Marriage and issue
In 1258 Bolesław married with Jolenta (Helena)Jolenta of Poland
Jolenta of Poland was the daughter of Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga...
(b. 1244 - d. 16/17 June aft. 1304), daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV , King of Hungary and of Croatia , duke of Styria 1254–58. One of the most famous kings of Hungary, he distinguished himself through his policy of strengthening of the royal power following the example of his grandfather Bela III, and by the rebuilding Hungary after the catastrophe of the...
. They had three daughters:
- ElisabethElisabeth of Greater PolandElisabeth of Kalisz was the eldest child of Boleslaw the Pious and his wife Jolenta of Poland. Her younger sister was Jadwiga of Greater Poland.- Marriage :...
(b. 1261/63 - d. September 1304), married in 1273 to Henry V, Duke of LegnicaHenry V, Duke of LegnicaHenry V the Fat was a Duke of Jawor from 1273, of Legnica from 1278 and also Duke of Wroclaw from 1290....
. - HedwigJadwiga of Greater PolandHedwig of Kalisz was the second of three daughters, born to Boleslaw the Pious and Jolenta of Poland. Her paternal grandparents were Ladislaus Odonic Plwacz and Jadwiga of Pomerania, her maternal grandparents were Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. Her elder sister was Elisabeth of Greater...
(b. 1270/75 - d. 10 December 1339), married in January 1293 to Władysław I the Elbow-high, Duke of KuyaviaKuyaviaKujawy , is a historical and ethnographic region in the north-central Poland, situated in the basin of the middle Vistula and upper Noteć Rivers, with its capital in Włocławek.-Etymology:The origin of the name Kujawy was seen differently in history...
and since 1320 King of Poland. - Anna (b. 1276/78 - d. bef. 1300), a nun in GnieznoGnieznoGniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
.
After his death without male heirs, all the Greater Poland Duchy passed to his only nephew Przemysł II. Crowned King of Poland in 1295 but murdered the next year, with his death the Greater Poland branch of the Piast dynasty became extinct.