Mieszko III the Old
Encyclopedia
Mieszko III the Old (ca. 1126/27 – 13 March 1202), of the royal Piast dynasty
, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death.
He was the fourth but second surviving son of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, by his second wife Salomea
, daughter of the German
count Henry of Berg-Schelklingen
.
with Poznań
as his main residence. His older half-brother, Władysław II, the eldest son of the late duke with his first wife Zbyslava of Kiev
, was proclaimed High Duke and overlord of the Seniorate Province
at Kraków
, including the Greater Polish lands of Gniezno
and Kalisz
, as well as Duke of Silesia
.
by Bolesław's widow Salomea for life and should revert to Władysław's Seniorate Province upon her death.
In 1141 Salomea of Berg organized a meeting at Łęczyca, where she and her sons decided to marry their younger sister Agnes
with one of the sons of Grand Prince Vsevolod II of Kiev
in order to gain an ally against High Duke Władysław II. Only because of the rapid intervention of Władysław did the independence plans of the Junior Dukes failed. Grand Prince Vsevolod II, facing the choice between an alliance with the strong High Duke or the weak Junior Dukes and their mother, chose the former, which was sealeded with the betrothal of Władysław's eldest son Bolesław I the Tall to Vsevolod's daughter Zvenislava in 1142. Władysław II wasn't invited to the Łęczyca meeting, despite the fact that, as the High Duke, he had the final voice on Agnes' engagement. In retaliation for this omission, in the winter of 1142-1143 he supported Kievan
military actions against Salomea and her sons. The first clash between the brothers was a complete success by the High Duke.
. Fighting took place in 1145. After an unexpected defeat, the High Duke was finally able to obtain the victory (Battle of Pilicy), thanks to his Kievan allies.
An agreement was made, under which Władysław retained Łęczyca. However, the High Duke continued with his intention of reuniting all Poland under his rule. This provoked the strong opposition of his Silesian voivode Piotr Włostowic, who support the interests of the Junior Dukes in order to maintain his power and position. Władysław, instigated by his wife Agnes of Babenberg
decided to eliminate Włostowic for good. The voivode was captured in an ambush. Agnes demanded Włostowic's death for treason, but the High Duke instead chose a terrible punishment: Włostowic was blinded, muted and expelled from the country. However, the voivode had numerous supporters, who were disgusted by the cruel act. Włostowic fled to the Kiev
an court, where he began to intrigue against the High Duke. Thus began Władysław's fall.
, half-brother of his wife Agnes. This time, Władysław couldn't count with his Kievan allies, because they were busy in his own problems; moreover the High Duke had sent some of his forces, led by his eldest son Bolesław, in order to support Great Prince Vsevolod. Nevertheless, Władysław was confident of his victory and initially it seemed that the success was on his side, because Bolesław and Mieszko, fearing clashes in an open field, escaped to Poznań. At this time the disaster to the High Duke began.
Władysław's cause lost further support when he was declared excommunicated
by Archbishop Jacob of Gniezno for his behavior against Piotr Włostowic, and also faced the rebellion by his own subjects, who were against his tyrannical rule. The defeat of Władysław was totally; by May of 1146 all Poland was in the hands of the Junior Dukes, and to save their lives the former High Duke and his family were forced to escape, at first to Bohemia
and later to the Kaiserpfalz
of Altenburg
in Germany, under the protection of King Conrad III.
Once they had consolidated his rule over Poland, Bolesław and Mieszko made new decisions. The elder brother Bolesław succeeded Władysław as High Duke and ruler over Silesia. Mieszko, by the other hand, retained his Duchy of Greater Poland and was satisfied with his role of a close colleague of his brother. Henry, the next-born, finally received his Duchy of Sandomierz
. Only the youngest brother, Casimir II
, remained without lands.
Urged by the his brother-in-law Władysław, an attempt was made by King Conrad III of Germany to restore the former High Duke to the Polish throne. A German expedition crossed the border with Poland in August 1146 but was already forced to retreat at the Oder
as a result of river's spillages as well as the opposition of Władysław's former subjects to German interference. Finally an agreement was reached, under which King Conrad accepted the rule of Bolesław IV; in return, the new High Duke had to pay a tribute
to the German king. The dispute between Władysław and the Juniors Dukes remained unresolved as King Conrad III was busy with the preparations of the Second Crusade
to the Holy Land.
the confirmation of a foundation for a monastery in Trzemeszno
, which was a clear recognition of their sovereignty. On the other hand, they sought to improve their relations with the German rulers.
In 1147, simultaneously with the arrival of King Conrad III to the Holy Land, Duke Mieszko III joined the Wendish Crusade
against the pagan Polabian Slavs
in the former Northern March
, which was organized by the Ascanian count Albert the Bear and the Wettin margrave Conrad of Meissen
. However, during this trip Mieszko sought to protect Polish interests in the Sprevane lands against claims raised by the ambitious Saxon
duke Henry the Lion
, politically and militarily supporting some Slav tribes. This help to the pagans infuriated Albert the Bear, who arrived in early 1148 to Kruszwica
in order to improve their alliance. Finally, they made an agreement, who was confirmed by the marriage of the Junior Duke's sister Judith
with Albert's eldest son Otto
.
in Merseburg
and pay homage to the newly elected King of the Romans
, King Conrad's nephew Frederick Barbarossa
. However, the High Duke broke his promise and remained absent. Meanwhile, Frederick had to secure his rule in the Kingdom of Italy
and his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor
, wherefore he forged an alliance with Margrave Henry II of Austria
, a scion of the House of Babenberg and brother of Władysław's wife Agnes. This coalition brought the Polish affair back on the table.
The Polish campaign of Emperor Frederick actually began in 1157. For unknown reasons, Bolesław and Mieszko did not try to defend the traditional frontier on the Oder River, but instead burned the castles of Głogów and Bytom
and began their retreat into the depths of Greater Poland
, where Bolesław's forces finally had to surrender to the Imperial troops at Krzyszkowo
near Poznań. After his defeat, the High Duke had to ask for forgiveness from the Emperor and the Junior Dukes paid a large tribute to Barbarossa. On Christmas Day in Magdeburg
they promised to send food to the Emperor's Italian expedition and to return at least the Silesia Province. As a guarantee of the fulfillment, the Junior Dukes' younger brother, Casimir II, was sent to Germany as a hostage.
Frederick Barbarossa regarded the conflict as resolved and marched against Milan
the next year. However while the Emperor was stuck into the Italian affairs, Bolesław did nothing to fulfil the agreement and on 30 May 1159 Władysław II died in exile without having ever seen Poland again. Only the renewed Imperial pressure finally permitted Władysław's sons Bolesław the Tall and Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
to come into their inheritance, when three years later, in 1163, the Junior Dukes finally returned Silesia to their nephews. The province thereby became the ancestral homeland of the Silesian Piasts
.
, whereby in October 1166 Duke Henry of Sandomierz was killed in battle. Before his departure, and in case of his death, he had left his duchy to his youngest brother Casimir the Just, who by their father's testament had remained without lands. However, High Duke Bolesław IV, against the his late brother's will, occupied Sandomierz and annexed them to his Seniorate Province.
This decision sparked the rebellion of Casimir, which was supported by his brother Mieszko III, the magnate Jaksa of Miechów and Sviatoslav, son of Piotr Włostowic, as well as by Archbishop Jan I of Gniezno and Bishop Gedko of Kraków. In February 1168 the rebels gathered at Jędrzejów
, were Mieszko was elected High Duke and vested Casimir with Sandomierz. The final defeat of Bolesław IV didn't occur, because the High Duke accepted the demands of the rebels and divided Henry's Duchy in three parts: Wiślica
Land was taken by Casimir, Bolesław took Sandomierz proper, and the rest was led to Mieszko.
his sole heir. When Jarosław, forced to become a priest, had returned from his German exile, he claimed a share of the Silesian lands. Mieszko III supported his grandnephew in his demands, and the civil war was reiniciated.
In order to prevent another Imperial intervention, the High Duke sent Mieszko III to Magdeburg, with the sum of 8,000 pieces of silver as a tribute to the Emperor and the promise to resolve this conflict soon. This time, the terms of the 1173 agreement have been strictly realized. Bolesław the Tall retained his power over Wrocław; however, he had to cede the Silesian Duchy of Opole
to his son Jarosław for life and furthermore had to agree on the division of the Silesian lands with his younger brother Mieszko Tanglefoot, who assumed the rule in the Duchy of Racibórz
.
was chosen as the new High Duke of Poland (dux Totius Poloniae). His policy focused on maintaining full power for himself, as the oldest surviving member of the dynasty. Despite his succession to the throne at Kraków, the new High Duke remained in Greater Poland, while Lesser Poland
was ruled by Henry Kietlicz as a governor appointed by Mieszko. Harsh tax measures were introduced, which incurred the displeasure of the Lesser Polish magnate
s. On the other hand, Mieszko had several foreign policy successes through his daughter's marriages: Elisabeth about 1173 married Duke Sobeslaus II of Bohemia and through the dynastic arrangement between his daughter Anastasia
and the Griffin duke Bogislaw I of Pomerania
, Mieszko once again reinforced Polish sovereignty over the Pomeranian duchy
.
In 1177 Mieszko's first-born son Odon, fearing for his inheritance, rebelled against his father. He was supported by Bishop Gedko of Kraków, his cousin Bolesław the Tall and his uncle Casimir the Just. To Odon, the main reason of his rebellion was the favoritism of Mieszko to the offspring of his second marriage and the attempts of the High Duke to force him to became a priest, in order to eliminate him from succession. To the others, the harsh and dictatorial government of the High Duke.
The rebellion was a complete surprise to Mieszko; still during Easter of 1177 he was totally convinced of the loyalty of his relatives, especially when the Junior Dukes organized a meeting at Gniezno
, were the High Duke was received by the crowds with cheers.
Greater Poland, however, at first remained strongly in Mieszko's hands, thanks to his governor Henry Kietlicz, the most important follower of Mieszko. At the same time, Casimir the Just, the clear head of the rebellion, made a divisionary treaty with his supporters: all Silesia was granted to Duke Bolesław the Tall and Greater Poland to Odon. This was a significant complication, because in Silesia Bolesław after the 1173 division had ruled alongside with his brother Mieszko Tanglefoot and his own son Jarosław of Opole. After they had learned of this agreement, both Mieszko and Jarosław sided with the High Duke and rebelled against Bolesław the Tall, who, busy fighting with his brother and son, lost the opportunity to gain Kraków and obtain the Seniorate for himself; in his place, it was Casimir the Just who took control over the Seniorate Province, and, with this, was proclaimed the new High Duke of Poland. After seeing any possibility of continuing the resistance, Mieszko escaped to Racibórz
, under the protection of his nephew and namesake Duke Mieszko Tanglefoot. However, shortly afterwards the deposed High Duke decided to leave Poland and seek foreign support. Odon finally occupied all Greater Poland and was declared Duke.
, ruled by his son-in-law Sobeslaus II who nevertheless refused to help him, whereafter he turned to Germany. He obtained the attention of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who offered his help in his restoration on the Polish throne after a payment of 10,000 pieces of silver, a sum that Mieszko couldn't reunited. Finally in Pomerania, his other son-in-law Duke Bogislaw I accepted to help him. By the agency of his Pomeranian allies, Mieszko forged his links with their Polish followers, grouped around Zdzislaw, Archbishop of Gniezno
and in 1181 was able to conquer the eastern Greater Polish lands of Gniezno
and Kalisz
, which until then had been part of the Seniorate Province. Soonafter, Mieszko also managed to recover western Greater Poland. Odon was pushed to the lands south of the Obra River. In 1182 a formal reconciliation between father and son was achieved. During these events, and for unknown reasons, High Duke Casimir the Just remained in total passivity; thanks to this, Mieszko had the opportunity to recover all Greater Poland.
Mieszko still had the intention to recover the lordship over all Poland. In 1184 he tried to forge an alliance with Frederick Barbarossa's son King Henry VI of Germany
, offering him a large sum of silver. Casimir the Just, however, knew his intentions and had sent Henry more money than the Duke of Greater Poland.
After his failure with the German king, Mieszko decided to take control over the Duchy of Masovia
and Kuyavia
, then ruled by his nephew Leszek
, the only surviving son of Bolesław IV. Mieszko convinced Leszek to named him his successor if he died without issue. The rude and harsh proceedings of the Greater Poland Duke were maybe the reason that in 1185, one year before his death, Leszek changed his testament and appointed his younger uncle High Duke Casimir the Just as his successor. This time, Mieszko acted quickly and, upon the Leszek's death in 1186 he took the Kuyavia region and annexed it to his Duchy. Shortly after, he ceded this land to his son Bolesław.
as his own duchy.
When on 2 August 1193 Mieszko the Younger died, his Duchy of Kalisz was reverted to Greater Poland. Shortly after, Mieszko granted Kalisz to his elder son Odon, who nevertheless died eight months later, on 20 April 1194. These two early deaths forced Mieszko to made a new divisionary treaty: the Duke retained Kalisz for himself, while Southern Greater Poland was given to his younger son Władysław III Spindleshanks, who also assumed the guardianship of the minor son of Odon, Władysław Odonic.
High Duke Casimir the Just died on 5 May 1194, and Mieszko's pretentions over Lesser Poland were reborn. Unfortunately, this time the local nobility preferred to see on the throne the minors sons of Casimir, Leszek the White
and Konrad
. Mieszko's attempts to retake the power ended in the bloody Battle of Mozgawą on 13 September 1195, were Mieszko himself was seriously injured and his son Bolesław of Kuyavia died. After the battle Mieszko withdraw to Kalisz without waiting for the Silesian troops, which came to his aid, led by Mieszko Tanglefoot and Jarosław of Opole.
. In 1198 he finally was allowed to return to Lesser Poland, but was compelled to cede Kuyavia to Casimir's sons.
In 1199, the voivode Mikołaj Gryfita and Bishop Fulko of Kraków again deposed Mieszko and restored Leszek the White as High Duke; however, three years later was made a new settlement and Mieszko was able to return. He retained the title of High Duke, but was forced to give up part of his powers. He died shortly afterwards; at that time, he had survived all his siblings and his sons except for Władysław III Spindleshanks, who succeeded him as Polish High Duke and Duke of Greater Poland.
(b. ca. 1128 - d. ca. 1154), daughter of King Béla II of Hungary
. They had five children:
By 1154, Mieszko married secondly with Eudoxia
(b. ca. 1131 - d. aft. 1187), daughter of Grand Prince Izjaslav II
of Kiev
. They had five children:
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...
, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death.
He was the fourth but second surviving son of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, by his second wife Salomea
Salomea of Berg
Salomea of Berg was a German noblewoman and by marriage Duchess of Poland.She was the daughter of Swabian Count Henry of Berg Castle by his wife Adelaide of Mochental , probably a sister of Margrave Diepold III of Vohburg...
, daughter of the German
Kingdom of Germany
The Kingdom of Germany developed out of the eastern half of the former Carolingian Empire....
count Henry of Berg-Schelklingen
Schelklingen
Schelklingen is a town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It is situated 10 km north of Ehingen, and 20 km west of Ulm...
.
Life
According to the 1138 Testament of Bolesław III, Mieszko received the newly established Duchy of Greater Poland, comprising the western part of 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...
with 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...
as his main residence. His older half-brother, Władysław II, the eldest son of the late duke with his first wife Zbyslava of Kiev
Zbyslava of Kiev
Zbyslava of Kiev , was a Kievan Rus' princess member of the Rurikid dynasty and by marriage Duchess of Poland.She was the daughter of Sviatopolk II, Grand Prince of Kiev by his first wife, who is believed was a Premyslid princess.-Life:...
, was proclaimed High Duke and overlord of the Seniorate Province
Seniorate Province
Seniorate Province, also known as the Senioral Province , Duchy of Kraków , Duchy of Cracow, Principality of Cracow, Principality of Kraków, was the superior among the five provinces established in 1138 according to the Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty...
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...
, including the Greater Polish lands 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...
and 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...
, as well as Duke of Silesia
Duchy of Silesia
The Duchy of Silesia with its capital at Wrocław was a medieval duchy located in the historic Silesian region of Poland. Soon after it was formed under the Piast dynasty in 1138, it fragmented into various Duchies of Silesia. In 1327 the remaining Duchy of Wrocław as well as most other duchies...
.
First conflict with Władysław II
The first major conflict with the High Duke took place during 1140-1141, when his younger half-brothers Bolesław IV the Curly and Mieszko III together with their mother but without Władysław's knowledge divided between them the lands of Łęczyca, which were held only as a wittumWittum
Wittum , Widum or Witthum is a medieval Latin legal term, known in marital and ecclesiastical law.- Provide for a widow at the wedding :...
by Bolesław's widow Salomea for life and should revert to Władysław's Seniorate Province upon her death.
Agnes of Poland
Agnes of Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by marriage Princess of Pereyaslavl and Volynia and Grand Princess of Kiev since 1168....
with one of the sons of Grand Prince Vsevolod II of Kiev
Vsevolod II of Kiev
Vsevolod II Olgovich was the Prince of Chernigov and Grand Prince of Kiev , son of Oleg Svyatoslavich, Prince of Chernigov....
in order to gain an ally against High Duke Władysław II. Only because of the rapid intervention of Władysław did the independence plans of the Junior Dukes failed. Grand Prince Vsevolod II, facing the choice between an alliance with the strong High Duke or the weak Junior Dukes and their mother, chose the former, which was sealeded with the betrothal of Władysław's eldest son Bolesław I the Tall to Vsevolod's daughter Zvenislava in 1142. Władysław II wasn't invited to the Łęczyca meeting, despite the fact that, as the High Duke, he had the final voice on Agnes' engagement. In retaliation for this omission, in the winter of 1142-1143 he supported Kievan
Kievan Rus'
Kievan Rus was a medieval polity in Eastern Europe, from the late 9th to the mid 13th century, when it disintegrated under the pressure of the Mongol invasion of 1237–1240....
military actions against Salomea and her sons. The first clash between the brothers was a complete success by the High Duke.
Second conflict with Władysław II
On 27 July 1144, the Dowager Duchess Salomea died and High Duke Władysław II as intended incorporated the Łęczyca Land into the Seniorate Province. This was again opposed by the Junior Dukes Bolesław IV and Mieszko III, who wished to give this land to their minor brothers HenryHenry of Sandomierz
Henry of Sandomierz was a Duke of Sandomierz since 1138 or 1146 until his death....
. Fighting took place in 1145. After an unexpected defeat, the High Duke was finally able to obtain the victory (Battle of Pilicy), thanks to his Kievan allies.
An agreement was made, under which Władysław retained Łęczyca. However, the High Duke continued with his intention of reuniting all Poland under his rule. This provoked the strong opposition of his Silesian voivode Piotr Włostowic, who support the interests of the Junior Dukes in order to maintain his power and position. Władysław, instigated by his wife Agnes of Babenberg
Agnes of Babenberg
Agnes of Babenberg , was a German noblewoman, a scion of the Franconian House of Babenberg and by marriage High Duchess of Poland and Duchess of Silesia....
decided to eliminate Włostowic for good. The voivode was captured in an ambush. Agnes demanded Włostowic's death for treason, but the High Duke instead chose a terrible punishment: Włostowic was blinded, muted and expelled from the country. However, the voivode had numerous supporters, who were disgusted by the cruel act. Włostowic fled to the Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
an court, where he began to intrigue against the High Duke. Thus began Władysław's fall.
Third conflict and exile of Władysław II
The war erupted again in early 1146, when Władysław's plight had made him swear allegiance to King Conrad III of GermanyConrad III of Germany
Conrad III was the first King of Germany of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. He was the son of Frederick I, Duke of Swabia, and Agnes, a daughter of the Salian Emperor Henry IV.-Life and reign:...
, half-brother of his wife Agnes. This time, Władysław couldn't count with his Kievan allies, because they were busy in his own problems; moreover the High Duke had sent some of his forces, led by his eldest son Bolesław, in order to support Great Prince Vsevolod. Nevertheless, Władysław was confident of his victory and initially it seemed that the success was on his side, because Bolesław and Mieszko, fearing clashes in an open field, escaped to Poznań. At this time the disaster to the High Duke began.
Władysław's cause lost further support when he was declared excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
by Archbishop Jacob of Gniezno for his behavior against Piotr Włostowic, and also faced the rebellion by his own subjects, who were against his tyrannical rule. The defeat of Władysław was totally; by May of 1146 all Poland was in the hands of the Junior Dukes, and to save their lives the former High Duke and his family were forced to escape, at first 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...
and later to the Kaiserpfalz
Kaiserpfalz
The term Kaiserpfalz or Königspfalz refers to a number of castles across the Holy Roman Empire which served as temporary, secondary seats of power for the Holy Roman Emperor in the Early and High Middle Ages...
of Altenburg
Altenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
in Germany, under the protection of King Conrad III.
Once they had consolidated his rule over Poland, Bolesław and Mieszko made new decisions. The elder brother Bolesław succeeded Władysław as High Duke and ruler over Silesia. Mieszko, by the other hand, retained his Duchy of Greater Poland and was satisfied with his role of a close colleague of his brother. Henry, the next-born, finally received his 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...
. Only the youngest brother, Casimir II
Casimir II the Just
Casimir II the Just was a Lesser Polish duke at Wiślica during 1166–1173, and at Sandomierz since 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby High Duke of Poland in 1177; a position he held until his death, interrupted once by his elder brother and predecessor...
, remained without lands.
Urged by the his brother-in-law Władysław, an attempt was made by King Conrad III of Germany to restore the former High Duke to the Polish throne. A German expedition crossed the border with Poland in August 1146 but was already forced to retreat at the Oder
Oder
The Oder is a river in Central Europe. It rises in the Czech Republic and flows through western Poland, later forming of the border between Poland and Germany, part of the Oder-Neisse line...
as a result of river's spillages as well as the opposition of Władysław's former subjects to German interference. Finally an agreement was reached, under which King Conrad accepted the rule of Bolesław IV; in return, the new High Duke had to pay a tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
to the German king. The dispute between Władysław and the Juniors Dukes remained unresolved as King Conrad III was busy with the preparations of the Second Crusade
Second Crusade
The Second Crusade was the second major crusade launched from Europe. The Second Crusade was started in response to the fall of the County of Edessa the previous year to the forces of Zengi. The county had been founded during the First Crusade by Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098...
to the Holy Land.
Recognition of the Junior Duke's authority
In the meanwhile, the Junior Dukes had no intention to just wait passively for an arrangement to consolidate their power. In May 1147 they obtained a received by Pope Eugene IIIPope Eugene III
Pope Blessed Eugene III , born Bernardo da Pisa, was Pope from 1145 to 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become Pope.-Early life:...
the confirmation of a foundation for a monastery in Trzemeszno
Trzemeszno
Trzemeszno is a town in central Poland belonging to the group of the oldest settlements in the region. The town’s name derives from an Old Polish word “Trzemcha” meaning the flower of the "Bird’s Cherry" plant, which once grew in the vicinity...
, which was a clear recognition of their sovereignty. On the other hand, they sought to improve their relations with the German rulers.
In 1147, simultaneously with the arrival of King Conrad III to the Holy Land, Duke Mieszko III joined the Wendish Crusade
Wendish Crusade
The Wendish Crusade was an 1147 campaign, one of the Northern Crusades and also a part of the Second Crusade, led primarily by the Kingdom of Germany inside the Holy Roman Empire and directed against the Polabian Slavs ....
against the pagan Polabian Slavs
Polabian Slavs
Polabian Slavs - is a collective term applied to a number of Lechites tribes who lived along the Elbe river, between the Baltic Sea to the north, the Saale and the Limes Saxoniae to the west, the Ore Mountains and the Western Sudetes to the south, and Poland to the east. They have also been known...
in the former Northern March
Northern March
The Northern March or North March was created out of the division of the vast Marca Geronis in 965. It initially comprised the northern third of the Marca and was part of the territorial organisation of areas conquered from the Wends...
, which was organized by the Ascanian count Albert the Bear and the Wettin margrave Conrad of Meissen
Conrad, Margrave of Meissen
Conrad the Great was the Margrave of Meissen from 1123 until his retirement in 1156. He was the son of Thimo, Count of Brehna, of the House of Wettin and Ida, daughter of Otto of Nordheim. He was also Count of Wettin, Brehna, and Camburg from before 1116.In 1123, he became Count of Eilenburg...
. However, during this trip Mieszko sought to protect Polish interests in the Sprevane lands against claims raised by the ambitious Saxon
Duchy of Saxony
The medieval Duchy of Saxony was a late Early Middle Ages "Carolingian stem duchy" covering the greater part of Northern Germany. It covered the area of the modern German states of Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt and most of Schleswig-Holstein...
duke Henry the Lion
Henry the Lion
Henry the Lion was a member of the Welf dynasty and Duke of Saxony, as Henry III, from 1142, and Duke of Bavaria, as Henry XII, from 1156, which duchies he held until 1180....
, politically and militarily supporting some Slav tribes. This help to the pagans infuriated Albert the Bear, who arrived in early 1148 to 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:...
in order to improve their alliance. Finally, they made an agreement, who was confirmed by the marriage of the Junior Duke's sister Judith
Judyta
Judith of Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by marriage Margravine of Brandenburg.She was the daughter of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Duke of Poland, by his second wife Salomea, daughter of Henry, Count of Berg.-Early years:...
with Albert's eldest son Otto
Otto I, Margrave of Brandenburg
Otto I was the second Margrave of Brandenburg, from 1170 until his death.-Life:Otto I was born into the House of Ascania as the eldest son of Albert I , who founded the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1157, and his wife Sophie von Winzenburg...
.
Expedition of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa
To settle the dispute around the Polish throne with Władysław II, Bolesław IV by the agency of Albert the Bear and Margrave Conrad had agreed to appear at the 1152 Imperial DietImperial Diet
Imperial Diet means the highest representative assembly in an empire, notably:* the historic institution of the Imperial Diet , either the estates in the Holy Roman Empire...
in Merseburg
Merseburg
Merseburg is a town in the south of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt on the river Saale, approx. 14 km south of Halle . It is the capital of the Saalekreis district. It had a diocese founded by Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg....
and pay homage to the newly elected King of the Romans
King of the Romans
King of the Romans was the title used by the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire following his election to the office by the princes of the Kingdom of Germany...
, King Conrad's nephew Frederick Barbarossa
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa was a German Holy Roman Emperor. He was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March, crowned King of Italy in Pavia in 1155, and finally crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV, on 18 June 1155, and two years later in 1157 the term...
. However, the High Duke broke his promise and remained absent. Meanwhile, Frederick had to secure his rule in the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (medieval)
The Kingdom of Italy was a political entity under control of Carolingian dynasty of Francia first, after the defeat of the Lombards in 774. It was finally incorporated as a part of the Holy Roman Empire in 962....
and his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
, wherefore he forged an alliance with Margrave Henry II of Austria
Henry II, Duke of Austria
Henry II , Count Palatine of the Rhine, 1140–1141, Margrave of Austria from 1141 to 1156 and, as Henry XI, also Duke of Bavaria from 1141 to 1156, Duke of Austria, 1156–1177, was a prince of the Babenberg dynasty....
, a scion of the House of Babenberg and brother of Władysław's wife Agnes. This coalition brought the Polish affair back on the table.
The Polish campaign of Emperor Frederick actually began in 1157. For unknown reasons, Bolesław and Mieszko did not try to defend the traditional frontier on the Oder River, but instead burned the castles of Głogów and Bytom
Bytom Odrzanski
Bytom Odrzański is a town on the Oder river in western Poland, in Nowa Sól County of Lubusz Voivodeship.-History:Archaeological findings from the Stone Age and Bronze Age around Bytom suggest a early settlement. A Slavic gród is mentioned in 1005...
and began their retreat into the depths of Greater Poland
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...
, where Bolesław's forces finally had to surrender to the Imperial troops at Krzyszkowo
Krzyszkowo
Krzyszkowo is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Rokietnica, within Poznań County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately west of Rokietnica and north-west of the regional capital Poznań....
near Poznań. After his defeat, the High Duke had to ask for forgiveness from the Emperor and the Junior Dukes paid a large tribute to Barbarossa. On Christmas Day in Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
they promised to send food to the Emperor's Italian expedition and to return at least the Silesia Province. As a guarantee of the fulfillment, the Junior Dukes' younger brother, Casimir II, was sent to Germany as a hostage.
Frederick Barbarossa regarded the conflict as resolved and marched against Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
the next year. However while the Emperor was stuck into the Italian affairs, Bolesław did nothing to fulfil the agreement and on 30 May 1159 Władysław II died in exile without having ever seen Poland again. Only the renewed Imperial pressure finally permitted Władysław's sons Bolesław the Tall and Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot was a Duke of Silesia from 1163 to 1173 , Duke of Racibórz from 1173, Duke of Opole from 1202 and from 9 June 1210 until his death, Duke of Kraków and High Duke of Poland....
to come into their inheritance, when three years later, in 1163, the Junior Dukes finally returned Silesia to their nephews. The province thereby became the ancestral homeland of the Silesian Piasts
Silesian Piasts
The Silesian Piasts were the oldest line of the Piast dynasty beginning with Władysław II the Exile, son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Duke of Poland...
.
Death of Henry of Sandomierz and revolt of Casimir the Just
In 1166 the Mieszko and his brothers had started another Prussian crusadePrussian Crusade
The Prussian Crusade was a series of 13th-century campaigns of Roman Catholic crusaders, primarily led by the Teutonic Knights, to Christianize the pagan Old Prussians. Invited after earlier unsuccessful expeditions against the Prussians by Polish princes, the Teutonic Knights began campaigning...
, whereby in October 1166 Duke Henry of Sandomierz was killed in battle. Before his departure, and in case of his death, he had left his duchy to his youngest brother Casimir the Just, who by their father's testament had remained without lands. However, High Duke Bolesław IV, against the his late brother's will, occupied Sandomierz and annexed them to his Seniorate Province.
This decision sparked the rebellion of Casimir, which was supported by his brother Mieszko III, the magnate Jaksa of Miechów and Sviatoslav, son of Piotr Włostowic, as well as by Archbishop Jan I of Gniezno and Bishop Gedko of Kraków. In February 1168 the rebels gathered at Jędrzejów
Jedrzejów
Jędrzejów is a town in Poland, located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, about 35 km southwest of Kielce. It is the capital of Jędrzejów County. It has 18,069 inhabitants ....
, were Mieszko was elected High Duke and vested Casimir with Sandomierz. The final defeat of Bolesław IV didn't occur, because the High Duke accepted the demands of the rebels and divided Henry's Duchy in three parts: Wiślica
Wislica
Wiślica is a village in Busko County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Wiślica. It lies on the Nida River, approximately south of Busko-Zdrój and south of the regional capital Kielce...
Land was taken by Casimir, Bolesław took Sandomierz proper, and the rest was led to Mieszko.
Inheritance dispute in Silesia
In 1172 another conflict arose among the Silesian Piasts, when Duke Bolesław the Tall's chose to ignore the claims of his first-born son, Jaroslaw by designating his son of the second marriage Henry I the BeardedHenry 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:...
his sole heir. When Jarosław, forced to become a priest, had returned from his German exile, he claimed a share of the Silesian lands. Mieszko III supported his grandnephew in his demands, and the civil war was reiniciated.
In order to prevent another Imperial intervention, the High Duke sent Mieszko III to Magdeburg, with the sum of 8,000 pieces of silver as a tribute to the Emperor and the promise to resolve this conflict soon. This time, the terms of the 1173 agreement have been strictly realized. Bolesław the Tall retained his power over Wrocław; however, he had to cede the Silesian Duchy of Opole
Duchy of Opole
Duchy of Opole was one of the duchies of Silesia ruled by the Piast dynasty. Its capital was Opole in Upper Silesia.After Bolesław I the Tall and his younger brother Mieszko I Tanglefoot backed by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa had retained their Silesian heritage in 1163, they divided the...
to his son Jarosław for life and furthermore had to agree on the division of the Silesian lands with his younger brother Mieszko Tanglefoot, who assumed the rule in the Duchy of Racibórz
Duchy of Racibórz
Duchy of Racibórz was one of the duchies of Silesia. Its capital was Racibórz in Upper Silesia.-History:After Bolesław I the Tall and his younger brother Mieszko I Tanglefoot backed by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa had retained their Silesian heritage in 1163, the Duchy of Racibórz was formed in...
.
High Duke of Poland
After Bolesław IV had died on 3 April 1173, his brother Mieszko III according to the principle of agnatic seniorityAgnatic seniority
Agnatic seniority is a patrilineal principle of inheritance where the order of succession to the throne prefers the monarch's younger brother over the monarch's own sons. A monarch's children succeed only after the males of the elder generation have all been exhausted...
was chosen as the new High Duke of Poland (dux Totius Poloniae). His policy focused on maintaining full power for himself, as the oldest surviving member of the dynasty. Despite his succession to the throne at Kraków, the new High Duke remained in Greater Poland, while 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...
was ruled by Henry Kietlicz as a governor appointed by Mieszko. Harsh tax measures were introduced, which incurred the displeasure of the Lesser Polish magnate
Magnate
Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus 'great', designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities...
s. On the other hand, Mieszko had several foreign policy successes through his daughter's marriages: Elisabeth about 1173 married Duke Sobeslaus II of Bohemia and through the dynastic arrangement between his daughter Anastasia
Anastasia of Greater Poland
Anastasia of Greater Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by marriage Duchess of Pomerania.She was the youngest child of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, by his second wife Eudoxia, daughter of Grand Prince Iziaslav II of...
and the Griffin duke Bogislaw I of Pomerania
Bogislaw I, Duke of Pomerania
Bogislaw I of the House of Pomerania was Duke of Pomerania-Stettin from 1156 to 1187. He co-ruled the Duchy of Pomerania with his brother Casimir I of Pomerania-Demmin. His father was Wartislaw I...
, Mieszko once again reinforced Polish sovereignty over the Pomeranian duchy
Duchy of Pomerania
The Duchy of Pomerania was a duchy in Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, ruled by dukes of the House of Pomerania ....
.
In 1177 Mieszko's first-born son Odon, fearing for his inheritance, rebelled against his father. He was supported by Bishop Gedko of Kraków, his cousin Bolesław the Tall and his uncle Casimir the Just. To Odon, the main reason of his rebellion was the favoritism of Mieszko to the offspring of his second marriage and the attempts of the High Duke to force him to became a priest, in order to eliminate him from succession. To the others, the harsh and dictatorial government of the High Duke.
The rebellion was a complete surprise to Mieszko; still during Easter of 1177 he was totally convinced of the loyalty of his relatives, especially when the Junior Dukes organized a meeting at 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...
, were the High Duke was received by the crowds with cheers.
Greater Poland, however, at first remained strongly in Mieszko's hands, thanks to his governor Henry Kietlicz, the most important follower of Mieszko. At the same time, Casimir the Just, the clear head of the rebellion, made a divisionary treaty with his supporters: all Silesia was granted to Duke Bolesław the Tall and Greater Poland to Odon. This was a significant complication, because in Silesia Bolesław after the 1173 division had ruled alongside with his brother Mieszko Tanglefoot and his own son Jarosław of Opole. After they had learned of this agreement, both Mieszko and Jarosław sided with the High Duke and rebelled against Bolesław the Tall, who, busy fighting with his brother and son, lost the opportunity to gain Kraków and obtain the Seniorate for himself; in his place, it was Casimir the Just who took control over the Seniorate Province, and, with this, was proclaimed the new High Duke of Poland. After seeing any possibility of continuing the resistance, Mieszko escaped to Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
, under the protection of his nephew and namesake Duke Mieszko Tanglefoot. However, shortly afterwards the deposed High Duke decided to leave Poland and seek foreign support. Odon finally occupied all Greater Poland and was declared Duke.
Exile and return to Greater Poland
By 1179, Mieszko went to BohemiaBohemia
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...
, ruled by his son-in-law Sobeslaus II who nevertheless refused to help him, whereafter he turned to Germany. He obtained the attention of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who offered his help in his restoration on the Polish throne after a payment of 10,000 pieces of silver, a sum that Mieszko couldn't reunited. Finally in Pomerania, his other son-in-law Duke Bogislaw I accepted to help him. By the agency of his Pomeranian allies, Mieszko forged his links with their Polish followers, grouped around Zdzislaw, Archbishop 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...
and in 1181 was able to conquer the eastern Greater Polish lands 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...
and 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...
, which until then had been part of the Seniorate Province. Soonafter, Mieszko also managed to recover western Greater Poland. Odon was pushed to the lands south of the Obra River. In 1182 a formal reconciliation between father and son was achieved. During these events, and for unknown reasons, High Duke Casimir the Just remained in total passivity; thanks to this, Mieszko had the opportunity to recover all Greater Poland.
Mieszko still had the intention to recover the lordship over all Poland. In 1184 he tried to forge an alliance with Frederick Barbarossa's son King Henry VI of Germany
Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry VI was King of Germany from 1190 to 1197, Holy Roman Emperor from 1191 to 1197 and King of Sicily from 1194 to 1197.-Early years:Born in Nijmegen,...
, offering him a large sum of silver. Casimir the Just, however, knew his intentions and had sent Henry more money than the Duke of Greater Poland.
After his failure with the German king, Mieszko decided to take control over the Duchy of Masovia
Duchy of Masovia
The Duchy of Masovia with its capital at Płock was a medieval duchy formed when the Polish Kingdom of the Piasts fragmented in 1138. It was located in the historic Masovian region of northeastern Poland...
and Kuyavia
Kuyavia
Kujawy , 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...
, then ruled by his nephew Leszek
Leszek, Duke of Masovia
Leszek of Masovia was the second Duke of Masovia and Kuyavia from 1173 until his death.He was the second but only surviving son of Bolesław IV the Curly, High Duke of Poland by his first wife Viacheslava, daughter of St. Vsevolod, Prince of Novgorod and Pskov...
, the only surviving son of Bolesław IV. Mieszko convinced Leszek to named him his successor if he died without issue. The rude and harsh proceedings of the Greater Poland Duke were maybe the reason that in 1185, one year before his death, Leszek changed his testament and appointed his younger uncle High Duke Casimir the Just as his successor. This time, Mieszko acted quickly and, upon the Leszek's death in 1186 he took the Kuyavia region and annexed it to his Duchy. Shortly after, he ceded this land to his son Bolesław.
Brief restoration
In 1191 the foreign policy of High Duke Casimir the Just triggered dissatisfaction in the Lesser Poland nobility, led by Mieszko's former governor Henry Kietlicz. With the help of this opposition, Mieszko could finally reconquest Kraków and resume the Hich Ducal title. He decided to entrust the government of Kraków to one of his sons, Bolesław or Mieszko the Younger; however, Casimir quickly regained Kraków and the overlordship and the Prince-Governor was captured; however, he soon was sent with his father. Probably after the failed expedition over Kraków, Mieszko gave to his son and namesake Mieszko the Younger the Greater Polish lands of KaliszKalisz
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...
as his own duchy.
When on 2 August 1193 Mieszko the Younger died, his Duchy of Kalisz was reverted to Greater Poland. Shortly after, Mieszko granted Kalisz to his elder son Odon, who nevertheless died eight months later, on 20 April 1194. These two early deaths forced Mieszko to made a new divisionary treaty: the Duke retained Kalisz for himself, while Southern Greater Poland was given to his younger son Władysław III Spindleshanks, who also assumed the guardianship of the minor son of Odon, Władysław Odonic.
High Duke Casimir the Just died on 5 May 1194, and Mieszko's pretentions over Lesser Poland were reborn. Unfortunately, this time the local nobility preferred to see on the throne the minors sons of Casimir, Leszek the White
Leszek 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...
and Konrad
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:...
. Mieszko's attempts to retake the power ended in the bloody Battle of Mozgawą on 13 September 1195, were Mieszko himself was seriously injured and his son Bolesław of Kuyavia died. After the battle Mieszko withdraw to Kalisz without waiting for the Silesian troops, which came to his aid, led by Mieszko Tanglefoot and Jarosław of Opole.
Final settlement
The Battle of Mozgawą had convinced Mieszko that to gain the throne with violence was extremely difficult, so he began the negotiations with the High Duke's widow Helen of ZnojmoHelen of Znojmo
Helena of Znojmo was a Bohemian princess, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty. She was the daughter of Duke Conrad II of Znojmo and his Serbian wife Maria of Rascia...
. In 1198 he finally was allowed to return to Lesser Poland, but was compelled to cede Kuyavia to Casimir's sons.
In 1199, the voivode Mikołaj Gryfita and Bishop Fulko of Kraków again deposed Mieszko and restored Leszek the White as High Duke; however, three years later was made a new settlement and Mieszko was able to return. He retained the title of High Duke, but was forced to give up part of his powers. He died shortly afterwards; at that time, he had survived all his siblings and his sons except for Władysław III Spindleshanks, who succeeded him as Polish High Duke and Duke of Greater Poland.
Marriages and Issue
Around 1136, Mieszko married firstly with ElisabethElisabeth of Hungary (1128–1154)
Elisabeth of Hungary , was a Hungarian princess member of the House of Árpád and by marriage Duchess of Greater Poland.She was the eldest child of King Béla II of Hungary by his wife Helena, daughter of Duke Uroš I of Raška, Grand Župan of Serbia...
(b. ca. 1128 - d. ca. 1154), daughter of King Béla II of Hungary
Béla II of Hungary
Béla II the Blind , King of Hungary and Croatia . Still as a child, Béla was blinded by his uncle, King Coloman who wanted to ensure the succession of his own son, the future King Stephen II...
. They had five children:
- Odon (b. ca. 1149 - d. 20 April 1194).
- StephenStephen of Greater PolandStephen of Greater Poland , was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast.He was the second son of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, by his first wife Elisabeth, daughter of King Béla II of Hungary. His name was probably given by his...
(b. ca. 1150 - d. 18 October 1166/77?). - ElisabethElisabeth of Greater Poland (1152–1209)Elisabeth of Greater Poland was a Polish princess of the House of Piast and, by her two marriages, Duchess of Bohemia and Margravine of Lusatia....
(b. 1152 - d. 2 April 1209), married firstly ca. 1173 to Soběslav II, Duke of Bohemia and secondly aft. January 1180 to Conrad II of Landsberg, MargraveMargraveA margrave or margravine was a medieval hereditary nobleman with military responsibilities in a border province of a kingdom. Border provinces usually had more exposure to military incursions from the outside, compared to interior provinces, and thus a margrave usually had larger and more active...
of LusatiaLusatiaLusatia 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...
. - Wierzchoslawa LudmillaWierzchoslawa Ludmilla of Greater PolandWierzchoslawa Ludmilla of Greater Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast, by marriage Lady of Bitsch and during 1205-1206 Duchess of Lorraine....
(b. bef. 1153 - d. bef. 1223), married ca. 1167 to Frederick, Lord of BitschFrederick I, Duke of LorraineFrederick I was the duke of Lorraine from 1205 to his death. He was the second son of Matthias I and Judith, daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Swabia. He succeeded his brother, Simon II, who had already given him the county of Bitche in 1176 and had recognised him over the northern, germanophone...
and later DukeDukeA duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
of LorraineLorraine (province)The Duchy of Upper Lorraine was an historical duchy roughly corresponding with the present-day northeastern Lorraine region of France, including parts of modern Luxembourg and Germany. The main cities were Metz, Verdun, and the historic capital Nancy....
. - Judith (b. bef. 1154 - d. af. 12 December 1201), married ca. 1173 with Bernhard, Count of AnhaltBernhard, Count of AnhaltBernhard, Count of Anhalt was a German prince of the House of Ascania, Count of Anhalt and Ballenstedt, and Lord of Bernburg through his paternal inheritance...
and later DukeDukeA duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
of SaxonySaxonyThe Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
.
By 1154, Mieszko married secondly with Eudoxia
Eudoxia of Kiev
Eudoxia Iziaslavna of Kiev , was a Kievan Rus' princess member of the Rurikid dynasty and by marriage Duchess of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duchess of Poland....
(b. ca. 1131 - d. aft. 1187), daughter of Grand Prince Izjaslav II
Iziaslav II of Kiev
Iziaslav II Mstislavich , Prince of Pereyaslav , Prince of Turov , Prince of Rostov , Prince of Vladimir and Volyn , Pereyaslavl , Velikiy Kniaz of Kiev , was the oldest son of Mstislav Vladimirovich, Kniaz' , and...
of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
. They had five children:
- Bolesław (b. 1159 - killed in the Battle of Mozgawą, 13 September 1195).
- Mieszko the Younger (b. ca. 1160/65 - d. 2 August 1193).
- Władysław III Spindleshanks (b. ca. 1161/67 - d. 3 November 1231).
- Salomea (b. ca. 1162/64 – d. 11 May ca. 1183), married bef. 1177 to Prince Ratibor (II) of PomeraniaPomeraniaPomerania 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...
. - AnastasiaAnastasia of Greater PolandAnastasia of Greater Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by marriage Duchess of Pomerania.She was the youngest child of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, by his second wife Eudoxia, daughter of Grand Prince Iziaslav II of...
(b. ca. 1164 – d. aft. 31 May 1240), married on 26 April 1177 to Bogislaw I, Duke of PomeraniaBogislaw I, Duke of PomeraniaBogislaw I of the House of Pomerania was Duke of Pomerania-Stettin from 1156 to 1187. He co-ruled the Duchy of Pomerania with his brother Casimir I of Pomerania-Demmin. His father was Wartislaw I...
.