Gerward

Gerward is a bishop of Cujavie and a Diplomate deceased with Avignon on November 1st 1323.

Bishop of Cujavie

In December 1300, Gerward is named bishop of Cujavie by the Chapitre of Włocławek. Venceslas II approves this nomination and authorizes the dedication of Gerward by the Archevêque of Gniezno Jakub Świnka.

An administrator advised diocesan

Gerward follows a policy of Economic development of sound Diocèse and is harnessed to make bear fruit the goods of the évêché. It founds several localities to which it gives the Droit of Magdeburg. It makes Wolbórz the second residence of the bishops of Cujavie. It also makes build castle-forts.

It grants loans against security to Monastère S, knight S, Duc S, and even to Ladislas the Brief. The goods of évêché increase considerably, much borrowers not being able to refund. Gerward becomes increasingly unpopular near the Noblesse. The dukes of Cujavie, Przemysl d' Inowrocław and Casimir III of Gniewkowo, show Gerward to steal the goods of évêché and imprison it. The bishop does not let himself intimidate and excommunicates the dukes. The reconciliation takes place only in 1311.

An ally of Ladislas the Brief

The administration of its diocese constitutes only part of its activities. It devotes much energy to support the policy of unification of the Poland carried out by Ladislas the Brief, with which it bound after the death of Venceslas II. In 1306, in Brześć Kujawski, Gerward takes part in the negotiations between Polish and Czech on a Armistice. It uses of its influence to allow Ladislas the Brief to make itself main of the Poméranie. It is pilot Hommage of Vassalité which the knights poméraniens return in Ladislas. After the conquest of Poméranie by the teutonic Knights, it remains the bond between Poméranie and Poland, its diocese recovering part of Poméranie. In spite of the protests addressed to the Pope by Teutoniques, Gerward preserves its legitimacy in all the diocese.

A skilful diplomat

In 1318, Gerward is sent to Avignon by Ladislas the Brief in order to convince the pope to authorize it to be crowned king de Pologne. Gerward is undoubtedly the author of the petition of Sulejów which it gives to Jean XXII. Before Gerward does not leave Poland, a general meeting of the dignitaries of Poland took place with Sulejów to sign a document requesting from the pope a royal crown for Ladislas.

Benefitting from its presence in Avignon, it also obtains from the pope the organization of a canonical lawsuit with Inowrocław, to make give up Teutoniques the Poméranie de Gdańsk. This lawsuit takes place in 1320/1321 and it is one of the principal witnesses of the charge. In 1318, in Avignon, in spite of the opposition of Teutoniques, the pope charges Gerward with collecting taxes for the the Holy See in Poméranie, this territory being depend on the Polish Église. To Inowrocław, Teutoniques were condemned to return Poméranie to Poland and to pay a compensation, but they are not carried out. In 1323, Gerward goes back again to Avignon to try to counter the diplomatic activity of the Order teutonic.

Shortly after its arrival, it dies on November 1st, 1323 and is buried in Avignon, in the church Saint Jean Baptiste the Evangelist.

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