Casimir II the Juste

The will of Boleslas III the Stop-Chest

Boleslas III the Stop-Chest dies the October 28th 1138. Its will, written a few years and inspired before of the habits of Kiev, mark the beginning of the territorial dismemberment of the Poland. It shared its State between his four oldest sons, each one receiving a hereditary duchy.

Ladislas II the Outlaw receives the Silesia (with Wrocław like capital), Boleslas IV Curly the receives the Mazovie and the Cujavie (with Płock like capital), Mieszko III the Old man receives the Large-Poland (with Poznań like capital), Henri receives the duchy of Sandomierz (with Sandomierz like capital).

The elder one of the male representatives of the dynasty Piast, Ladislas II the Outlaw, becomes the princeps (or senior ) and for this reason, control surface also on the Petite Poland (with Cracow like capital), the Eastern Large-Poland with Gniezno and Kalisz, the Western Poméranie, the Eastern Poméranie as well as the area of Łęczyca and Sieradz (which must return to him after the death of Salome, the second wife of its father). It is him which decides in last spring on the questions of foreign politics, concludes the treaties, declares the wars, has the right of nomination, is the chief and the supreme judge.

Casimir II the Juste, who had not been born during the drafting of the will, does not receive anything.

Reigns of the older brothers

As of 1139, supported by their mother Salome, Boleslas IV and Mieszko are opposed to Ladislas II the Outlaw who wants to restore the union of the Poland. They succeed in driving out it country in 1146 and Boleslas IV the Curly one succeeds to him.

In 1166, Henri de Sandomierz is killed in a crusade against the Prussian . Not having children, it had designated his Casimir little brother like heir. This heritage is disputed by Boleslas and Mieszko which decides to divide this duchy into three, a part for each brother. Casimir receives only the small duchy of Wiślica.

In 1172, the tycoon organize a diet and try to convince Casimir to reverse the sovereign but this one refuses.

Boleslas IV the Curly one dies the January 5th 1173. Mieszko III the Old man of Large-Poland succeeds to him as a princeps . Casimir obtains finally all the duchy of Sandomierz and becomes the tutor of Lech, the only son of Boleslas IV the Curly one. In 1177, Mieszko III must flee of Cracow following the rising of the inhabitants (supported by Boleslas Ier Length), to which Odon joined, his/her oldest son.

The reign of Casimir II the Juste

Casimir II the Juste goes up on the throne of Cracow at the request of the Noblesse of Small Poland.

To put an end to the internal conflicts, Casimir distributes the grounds. He keeps Cracow, Odon receives Poznań, Lech receives the Cujavie, Boleslas Ier Length receives the Silesia, Mieszko IV Legs Frays receives the areas of Bytom, Racibórz, Oświęcim and Siewierz, Conrad receives Głogów. Mieszko III the Old man must give up his throne of Large Poland to the profit of his/her Odon son. Casimir names Sambor Palatin of Poméranie Eastern. Bogusław I {{er}} of Poméranie Western not receiving sufficient assistance of a Poland divided becomes Vassal Henri the Lion. In 1181, it will recognize the Suzerain be of the emperor Frederic Barberousse and Poland will lose the control of this area.

In 1180, at the time of the assembly of the noble Polish with Łęczyca, Casimir II the Juste grants privileges to noble and grants its first privileges the Église (a lifting of tax to the profit of the clergy and the renouncement of the king to exert its rights on the land goods of the bishops deceased) to make abolish the rights of the others Piasts on Cracow and establish its hereditary capacity there (suppression of the Séniorat).

Mieszko III the Old man, not managing to gain the Holy Empire with its cause, attacks Large Poland with the Poméraniens. It regains most of Large Poland (with Gniezno) which is its legitimate province, without opposition of Casimir II the Juste. Mieszko, which is not satisfied, continuous to want to conspire and to follow a diplomatic policy against Casimir. He is combined with Boleslas Ier Length and with the German court.

In 1182, following the death of Vasilko of Drohiczyn, in spite of the opposition of its court, Casimir II Right assistance the oldest son of Mstislav II (its nephew) to go up on the throne of Brześć. It is poisoned in Brześć and Kazimierz II the Right assistance Roman, the young brother of the assassinated prince, to go up on the throne. Novel recognizes the suzerainty of Poland to thank Casimir II the Juste for having helped it

In 1184, the emperor gives the order to his son Henri to set up a military campaign against Poland in order to support Mieszko. Casimir II the Juste retains the empire by reaffirming his Vassal ité and by undoubtedly making other concessions.

In 1186, after the death of Lech, Casimir annexes Mazovie and becomes duke of Mazovie and Cujavie.

In 1187, in the principality of Halicz, a war of succession makes following the death of Iaroslav Ośmiomysł. Casimir supports Oleg against his Vladimir brother. Vladimir gains the crown and, to be avenged, lance of the raids against Poland. Casimir reverses Vladimir and place Roman of Volhynie on the throne, hoping for a promise of vassalage. The Hungarian, anxious by the Polish expansion, and also coveting the principality of Halicz give Vladimir on the throne and then, replaces it by András, the son of Béla III. In 1188, Vladimir escapes from his Hungarian prison and calls some with the emperor Frederic Barberousse. This one, occupied by the Crusade S, load its vassal Casimir II the Juste to give Vladimir on the throne. In 1189, Casimir sends an army to achieve this mission and makes it possible Halicz to be freed from the Hungarian constraint. But it also loses suzerainty on this principality.

In 1190, benefitting from a long voyage of Casimir in the Rus' of Kiev where it has many friends, the governor of Cracow seizes the city and Mieszko place on the throne. The following year, Casimir returns to Poland and easily takes again Cracow with the assistance of Rus' of Kiev.

In 1192, a pact is signed with the Hungary, promising a co-operation when the interests are common, for example the principality of Halicz. This pact with Hungary alleviates the opponents with the foreign politics followed by Casimir.

In 1193, Casimir II the Juste conducts a campaign against Baltic tribes pagan and against their ally, prince de Drohiczyn, who answers by attacks against Mazovie. Prince de Drohiczyn is relieved, the pagan tribes are overcome, their territory is plundered and they are forced to promise the payment of a tribute in Cracow.

The May 4th 1194, during a banquet, unexpected death of Casimir II the Juste, undoubtedly by a poisoning. It leaves very young heirs. His/her oldest son Lech the White succeeds to him Cracow.

See too

History of Poland
Piast

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