Bolesław I of Masovia
Encyclopedia
Boleslaw I of Masovian (1208 – spring 1248) was a member of the House of Piast. He was the eldest son of Konrad I of Masovia
and his wife Agafia of Rus
.
He was the Duke of Sandomierz (he reigned over part of the duchy) from 1229 to 1232. In 1233 he became the Duke Northern Masovia and in 1247 he inherited all of the Duchy of Masovia.
, he accompanied his father to Lesser Poland
to participate in negotiations on the succession. Władysław III Spindleshanks had plans to seize the Duchy of Cracow from Masovia. Despite this setback, Konrad gave his son the stronghold of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. In 1229 Konrad took a part of the Duchy of Sandomierz
with the city Radom
, Konrad offers this in exchange for Boleslaw to give Dobrzyń nad Wisłą to Konrad's other son, Siemowit. In 1231, Boleslaw became involved with his father and brothers in the installation of the Teutonic
in the region of Chełmno. At the same time, Boleslaw supported his father in the war to conquer Cracow, after the death of Ladislas III. In 1232 Henry I the Bearded
invades Masovia by Prussians forced to abandon Konrad. In addition, Henry I the Bearded assumes control of the entire Duchy of Sandomierz
.
To compensate for the loss of the Duchy of Sandomierz, Konrad offered Boleslaw part of Masovia, with Sieradz
, the capital. Nevertheless, Konrad retained control of foreign policies and the army. In 1234, Boleslaw won the north of Masovia in exchange for the region of Sieradz
, near Lesser Poland
and strategically important for his father who aimed to become Duke of Kraków. In subsequent years, Boleslaw attacked his Prussian and Russian neighbors. He installs the Order of Dobrin to Drohiczyn
. In 1238 he took part in the war against Daniel of Galicia and Mindaugas of Lithuania.
In 1241, after the death of his father-in-law Henry II the Pious
at the Battle of Legnica
, Boleslaw maintained his father's military seizes on Kraków
. He was expelled two years later.
On 31 August 1247, Konrad died, this opened new horizons for Boleslaw. In Konrad's will, he receives most of Masovia. He faced an assault from his brother Casimir I of Kuyavia
because Casimie was unhappy hiw much Boleslaw had inherited. Casimir chased after his brothers, Boleslaw and Siemowit and Dobrzyńnad nad Wisla.
Boleslaw died shortly after the spring 1248. In his will he bequeathed all his possessions to his younger brother Siemowit. This however annoyed Casimir and so there were wars to come between the brothers .
in 1234. Gertrude died ten years later, the couple had no children. Two years later in 1246, Boleslaw married Anastasia, daughter of Prince Alexander of Belz. This marriage was also childless.
Konrad I of Masovia
Konrad I of Masovia , from the Polish Piast dynasty, was the sixth Duke of Masovia from 1194 until his death and High Duke of Poland from 1229 to 1232.-Life:...
and his wife Agafia of Rus
Agafia of Rus
Agafia Svyatoslavna of Rus was Princess of Mazovia by her marriage and was a member of the Rurikid dynasty.-Life:...
.
He was the Duke of Sandomierz (he reigned over part of the duchy) from 1229 to 1232. In 1233 he became the Duke Northern Masovia and in 1247 he inherited all of the Duchy of Masovia.
Life
From a young age, Boleslaw was part of ambitious political projects to do with his father. In 1227 after the assassination of Leszek I the WhiteLeszek I the White
Leszek I the White , also listed by some sources as Leszek II the White, was Prince of Sandomierz and High Duke of Poland from 1194 until his death, except for the short periods following when he was deposed as Polish ruler...
, he accompanied his father to Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
to participate in negotiations on the succession. Władysław III Spindleshanks had plans to seize the Duchy of Cracow from Masovia. Despite this setback, Konrad gave his son the stronghold of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. In 1229 Konrad took a part of the Duchy of Sandomierz
Sandomierz
Sandomierz is a city in south-eastern Poland with 25,714 inhabitants . Situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship , previously in Tarnobrzeg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Sandomierz County . Sandomierz is known for its Old Town, a major tourist attraction...
with the city Radom
Radom
Radom is a city in central Poland with 223,397 inhabitants . It is located on the Mleczna River in the Masovian Voivodeship , having previously been the capital of Radom Voivodeship ; 100 km south of Poland's capital, Warsaw.It is home to the biennial Radom Air Show, the largest and...
, Konrad offers this in exchange for Boleslaw to give Dobrzyń nad Wisłą to Konrad's other son, Siemowit. In 1231, Boleslaw became involved with his father and brothers in the installation of the Teutonic
Teutons
The Teutons or Teutones were mentioned as a Germanic tribe by Greek and Roman authors, notably Strabo and Marcus Velleius Paterculus and normally in close connection with the Cimbri, whose ethnicity is contested between Gauls and Germani...
in the region of Chełmno. At the same time, Boleslaw supported his father in the war to conquer Cracow, after the death of Ladislas III. In 1232 Henry I the Bearded
Henry I the Bearded
Henry I the Bearded , of the Silesian line of the Piast dynasty, was Duke of Silesia at Wrocław from 1201 and Duke of Kraków and thus High Duke of all Poland - internally divided - from 1232 until his death.-Heir of Wroclaw:...
invades Masovia by Prussians forced to abandon Konrad. In addition, Henry I the Bearded assumes control of the entire Duchy of Sandomierz
Sandomierz
Sandomierz is a city in south-eastern Poland with 25,714 inhabitants . Situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship , previously in Tarnobrzeg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Sandomierz County . Sandomierz is known for its Old Town, a major tourist attraction...
.
To compensate for the loss of the Duchy of Sandomierz, Konrad offered Boleslaw part of Masovia, with Sieradz
Sieradz
Sieradz is a town on the Warta river in central Poland with 44,326 inhabitants . It is situated in the Łódź Voivodship , but was previously the eponymous capital of the Sieradz Voivodship , and historically one of the minor duchies in Greater Poland.It is one of the oldest towns in Poland,...
, the capital. Nevertheless, Konrad retained control of foreign policies and the army. In 1234, Boleslaw won the north of Masovia in exchange for the region of Sieradz
Sieradz
Sieradz is a town on the Warta river in central Poland with 44,326 inhabitants . It is situated in the Łódź Voivodship , but was previously the eponymous capital of the Sieradz Voivodship , and historically one of the minor duchies in Greater Poland.It is one of the oldest towns in Poland,...
, near Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
and strategically important for his father who aimed to become Duke of Kraków. In subsequent years, Boleslaw attacked his Prussian and Russian neighbors. He installs the Order of Dobrin to Drohiczyn
Drohiczyn
Drohiczyn is a small historic town in Siemiatycze County, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. The town with population 2,110 is situated on a bank of the Bug River.- History :...
. In 1238 he took part in the war against Daniel of Galicia and Mindaugas of Lithuania.
In 1241, after the death of his father-in-law 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...
at the Battle of Legnica
Battle of Legnica
The Battle of Legnica , also known as the Battle of Liegnitz or Battle of Wahlstatt , was a battle between the Mongol Empire and the combined defending forces of European fighters that took place at Legnickie Pole near the city of Legnica in Silesia on 9 April 1241.A combined force of Poles,...
, Boleslaw maintained his father's military seizes on 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...
. He was expelled two years later.
On 31 August 1247, Konrad died, this opened new horizons for Boleslaw. In Konrad's will, he receives most of Masovia. He faced an assault from his brother 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 :...
because Casimie was unhappy hiw much Boleslaw had inherited. Casimir chased after his brothers, Boleslaw and Siemowit and Dobrzyńnad nad Wisla.
Boleslaw died shortly after the spring 1248. In his will he bequeathed all his possessions to his younger brother Siemowit. This however annoyed Casimir and so there were wars to come between the brothers .
Marriages
Boleslaw I of Masovia married twice. His first marriage was to Gertrude, daughter of Henry II the PiousHenry 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...
in 1234. Gertrude died ten years later, the couple had no children. Two years later in 1246, Boleslaw married Anastasia, daughter of Prince Alexander of Belz. This marriage was also childless.