Konrad II of Masovia
Encyclopedia
Konrad II of Masovia was the eldest son of Siemowit I of Masovia and his wife Perejesława, daughter of Daniel of Galicia.
He was Duke of Masovia (1264–1294), he was also Duke of Czersk having given up some of his lands to his brother Boleslaus II of Masovia
in 1275, he became Duke of Sandomierz in 1289.
Treniota
launched a major campaign against Masovia. He and his father stayed at a small fort in Jazdów. Siemowit I of Masovia was killed during the assault and Konrad was captured by the Lithuanians.
Siemowit died, Conrad was a prisoner of the Lithuanians and his brother Boleslaus was too young to rule, the regency of the duchy of Mazovia was ensured by Boleslaw the Pious and the children's mother Perejesława. After two years of captivity in Lithuania
Konrad was released and went back to Masovia to recover his lands left to him by his father.
and Boleslaw the Pious. He fought alongside Hungary
in a war which opposed Bohemia
. In 1271 became part of a coalition against Henry IV Probus, to prevent it from providing support to Bohemia. Two years later, the same coalition attacked Ladislaus of Opole who benefited from the war between Hungary and Bohemia to play his own card, seizing the throne of Krakow
.
When Bolesław V the Chaste died on December 7, 1279, his heir Leszek II the Black succeeded. The Civil in Masovia helped Konrad claim the throne of Krakow. This did not prevent him from joining the opposition camp to the Duke of Krakow and Sandomierz.
and Sandomierz
. In 1285 Konrad was better prepared for war. He invaded Lesser Poland, requiring the Duke of Cracow to take refuge in Hungary. However, he failed to seize Wawel
, which was defended by followers of Leszek. The decisive battle took place on May 3, 1285. With the help of the Hungarians, Leszek crushed his opponents. Conrad fled and took refuge in Czersk.
Leszek II the Black died on September 30, 1288, this offered a new opportunity for Konrad to ascend the throne of Krakow.He stayed in Ruthenia
, among his allies was Vladimir de Galicia, a relation of his mother's but Konrad sought more help. He faced other candidates for the throne: Henry IV Probus and his brother Boleslaus. However, Konrad did not give up. In 1289 when the balance seemed to lean in favor of Henry IV, he concluded an agreement with his brother Boleslaus. The exact terms of this agreement are not known. Probably in exchange for Konrad's abdication from Krakow Boleslaus accepted the partition of Masovia as was done in 1275 and Konrad would reign over Sandomierz. This agreement did not materialize. Despite the victory of Boleslaus at the Battle of Siewierz, Konrad lost Sandomierz to Ladislaus the Short.
. His family came under the protection of his brother Boleslaus, against whom he had fought all his life. Boleslaus was now sole ruler of Masovia.
In 1270 Konrad married Hedwig, daughter of Bolesław II the Bald. They had one daughter:
He was Duke of Masovia (1264–1294), he was also Duke of Czersk having given up some of his lands to his brother Boleslaus II of Masovia
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....
in 1275, he became Duke of Sandomierz in 1289.
Captivity in Lithuania
Konrad appeared in history in 1262, when Lithuanian Grand DukeGrand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
Treniota
Treniota
Treniota was the Grand Duke of Lithuania .Treniota was the nephew of Mindaugas, the first and only king of Lithuania. While Mindaugas had converted to Christianity in order to discourage Livonian Order and Teutonic Knights attacks on Lithuania, becoming king in the process, Treniota remained a...
launched a major campaign against Masovia. He and his father stayed at a small fort in Jazdów. Siemowit I of Masovia was killed during the assault and Konrad was captured by the Lithuanians.
Siemowit died, Conrad was a prisoner of the Lithuanians and his brother Boleslaus was too young to rule, the regency of the duchy of Mazovia was ensured by Boleslaw the Pious and the children's mother Perejesława. After two years of captivity in 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...
Konrad was released and went back to Masovia to recover his lands left to him by his father.
Duke of Mazovia
In terms of foreign policy, he continued to follow the line of his father, working closely with Bolesław V the Chaste, Leszek II the BlackLeszek 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 :...
and Boleslaw the Pious. He fought alongside 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...
in a war which opposed 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 1271 became part of a coalition against Henry IV Probus, to prevent it from providing support to Bohemia. Two years later, the same coalition attacked Ladislaus of Opole who benefited from the war between Hungary and Bohemia to play his own card, seizing the throne of Krakow
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...
.
Duke of Czersk
In 1275 when his brother reached the age of majority, he shared Masovia with him. He gave the Duchy of Płock and retaining only the duchy of Czersk. This division did not satisfiy Boleslaus and a prolonged conflict began between the two brothers.When Bolesław V the Chaste died on December 7, 1279, his heir Leszek II the Black succeeded. The Civil in Masovia helped Konrad claim the throne of Krakow. This did not prevent him from joining the opposition camp to the Duke of Krakow and Sandomierz.
Fighting for the throne of Krakow and Sandomierz
In 1282 Konrad launcheed an attack against Leszek II the Black which ended in a fiasco, the army of Konrad succeeded only briefly seizing RadomRadom
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...
and 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...
. In 1285 Konrad was better prepared for war. He invaded Lesser Poland, requiring the Duke of Cracow to take refuge in Hungary. However, he failed to seize Wawel
Wawel
Wawel is an architectural complex erected over many centuries atop a limestone outcrop on the left bank of the Vistula River in Kraków, Poland, at an altitude of 228 metres above the sea level. It is a place of great significance to the Polish people. The Royal Castle with an armoury and the...
, which was defended by followers of Leszek. The decisive battle took place on May 3, 1285. With the help of the Hungarians, Leszek crushed his opponents. Conrad fled and took refuge in Czersk.
Leszek II the Black died on September 30, 1288, this offered a new opportunity for Konrad to ascend the throne of Krakow.He stayed in Ruthenia
Ruthenia
Ruthenia is the Latin word used onwards from the 13th century, describing lands of the Ancient Rus in European manuscripts. Its geographic and culturo-ethnic name at that time was applied to the parts of Eastern Europe. Essentially, the word is a false Latin rendering of the ancient place name Rus...
, among his allies was Vladimir de Galicia, a relation of his mother's but Konrad sought more help. He faced other candidates for the throne: Henry IV Probus and his brother Boleslaus. However, Konrad did not give up. In 1289 when the balance seemed to lean in favor of Henry IV, he concluded an agreement with his brother Boleslaus. The exact terms of this agreement are not known. Probably in exchange for Konrad's abdication from Krakow Boleslaus accepted the partition of Masovia as was done in 1275 and Konrad would reign over Sandomierz. This agreement did not materialize. Despite the victory of Boleslaus at the Battle of Siewierz, Konrad lost Sandomierz to Ladislaus the Short.
Death and descendants
Konrad II died at Czersk on October 11, 1294 and is buried at WarkaWarka
Warka is a town in central Poland, located on the left bank of the Pilica river , with 11,035 inhabitants . It has been situated in Grójec County, in the Masovian Voivodeship, since 1999; previously it was in the Radom Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998.Warka obtained its city charter in 1321...
. His family came under the protection of his brother Boleslaus, against whom he had fought all his life. Boleslaus was now sole ruler of Masovia.
In 1270 Konrad married Hedwig, daughter of Bolesław II the Bald. They had one daughter:
- AnnaAnna of Masovia (b.1270)Anna of Masovia was a Princess of Masovia and was a member of the House of Piast.She was the daughter and only child of Konrad II of Masovia and Hedwig, daughter of Bolesław II the Bald. Between 1289 and 1290 Anna married Przemysław of Racibórz. Anna was Duchess of Racibórz along with her unnamed...
(1270 – after 13 July 1324) married Przemysław of RacibórzPrzemysław of RacibórzPrzemysław of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1282 until his death ....
and was mother to at least three children.