Ladislas Ier of Poland

|- | Reign || Duke of Cracow (1306 - 1320)
Roi of Poland (1320 - 1333) |- | Crowning || The January 20th 1320, with the cathedral of the Wawel, Cracow |- | Dynasty || Piast |- | Parents || * Casimir I {{er}} of Cujavie
* Euphrosyne, girl of Casimir I {{er}} of Opole |- | Wife || Hedwige de Kalisz, girl of Boleslas the Piles (1293) |- | Children || * Stephan (? - 1306)
* Ladislas (1297 - 1311/1312)
* Cunégonde (? - 1331)
* Élizabeth (1305 - 1380)
* Hedwige (? - v. 1321)
* Casimir (1310 - 1370) |- | Birth date || v. 1261 |- | Birthplace || ? |- | Date of death || March 2nd 1333 |- | Place of death || Cracow |- | Place of burial || Cathedral of the Wawel, Cracow, Poland |- |} Ladislas Ier the Brief (in Polish Władysław I Łokietek ) (v. 1261 - March 2nd 1333), also called Ladislas Ier the Dwarf , of the Dynasty of the Piasts, is the third wire of Casimir I {{er}} of Cujavie.

Titles

In 1267, Ladislas becomes Duc areas of Brześć Kujawski and Dobrzyń nad Wisłą (in Cujavie). Too much young person to reign, it is his/her mother, Euphrosyne d' Opole, which ensures the Régence. Of 1275 with 1288, it must share the capacity with his/her brothers.

He is duke of Brześć and Sieradz (1288 - 1300), duke of Sandomierz (1289 - 1292), Vassal of Venceslas II of Bohemia (1292 - 1300), regent of the Duché of Dobrzyń (1293 - 1295), duke of Łęczyca (1294 - 1300), duke of Large-Poland and Poméranie (1296 - 1300).

After an exile of a few years (1300 - 1304), he becomes duke of Wiślica (starting from 1304) and again duke of Sandomierz, Sieradz, Łęczyca and Brześć (starting from 1305). In 1306, he is duke of Cracow and Suzerain of the duchies of Inowrocław and Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. Of 1306 with 1308/1309, it takes again the control of Poméranie, and in 1314, of Large Poland. It then carries the title of “ Wladislaus Dei gracia, dux Regni Polonie and dominus Pomerania, Cuiavie, Lancicie ace Siradie ” (Ladislas, by the will of God, duke of the kingdom of Poland and lord of Poméranie, Cujavie, Łęczyca and Sieradz).

In 1320, it is crowned king de Pologne. It carries the title of “ Wladislaus Dei gracia, rex Polonie ” (Ladislas, by the will of God, king de Pologne).

In 1327, it exchanges the areas of Łęczyca and Sieradz against Inowrocław and Dobrzyń nad Wisłą.

In 1329, it loses the area of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą. In 1332, it loses the control of all Cujavie.

Biography

A parcelled out country

Until the beginning of the 12th century, the Poland was affirmed like an increasingly powerful state under the centralized authority of Piasts. Into 1138, following the will of Boleslas III the Stop-Chest which wanted to avoid the fratricidal wars between his/her children, Poland is divided between its sons. Since, the country was dislocated in increasingly many duchies.

Ladislas is only seven years old when his/her father dies in 1267. Minor, it remains under the authority of his mother. He remains regularly in Cracow, at the court of Boleslas V Modest the, with which his/her older brother Lech II the Black bound.

It is only in 1275 that he becomes duke of the areas of Brześć Kujawski and Dobrzyń nad Wisłą where he must share the capacity with his two young brothers, Casimir II of Łęczyca and Siemovit de Dobrzyń.

The death of Lech II Black

When Lech II the Black, become duke of Cracow, dies the September 30th 1288, it leaves its hereditary duchy of Sieradz to his half-brothers. Ladislas succeeds then officially his/her father with Brześć Kujawski and its brother with Sieradz.

In 1289, it supports Boleslas II of Mazovie in its war against Henri IV the Juste for the throne of Cracow. This last, supported by the German Middle-class and part of the Nobility, had seized the power at the end 1288. The February 26th 1289, Boleslas II of Mazovie, Ladislas the Brief and Casimir II of Łęczyca inflict to a heavy defeat with allied of Henri IV the Juste (Henri III of Głogów, Przemko de Ścinawa and Bolko I {{er}} of Opole) who returned in Silesia (Battle of Siewierz).

Attempt to seize Small Poland and defeat vis-a-vis Venceslas II

In spite of this victory, Boleslas is withdrawn in its duchy, leaves Cracow to Henri IV and gives up in Ladislas the Brief all its rights on the Petite Poland. Ladislas seizes the duchy of Sandomierz but does not succeed in keeping the Wawel and must flee of Cracow, leaving the city to Henri IV. Having lost the throne of Cracow, Ladislas makes an effort, as of the end 1289, to reinforce its position with Sandomierz. Thus, it Marie her niece with Andre III of Hungary.

Little time before dying the June 23rd 1290, Henri IV the Juste writes a will by which it makes Przemysl II his successor in Cracow. With the Spring 1291, threatened by Ladislas the Brief and unpopular in Cracow, Przemysl II is constrained to sign an agreement with Venceslas II. The German middle-class of Cracow and much the small noble ones supports the claims of Venceslas, who in terms of safety, prestige and hope of Economic development offers more than Przemysl II, but with the danger which Poland is integrated into the Holy roman Empire. Przemysl gives up in Venceslas Small Poland as well as the duchy of Sandomierz which Ladislas the Brief had seized.

Contrary to his/her cousin of Large Poland, Ladislas is not resigned to let Venceslas control Small Poland. In 1292, the Czech army , reinforced by detachments sent by the dukes of Silesia and the margraviat of the Brandebourg, drives out Ladislas of Sandomierz. This one takes refuge in Sieradz where it undergoes a seat in September 1292. The Fortified town does not resist very a long time. Ladislas and its brother Casimir II find themselves captive of Venceslas. The October 9th 1292, they are constrained to return a Hommage of Vassal ité to Venceslas and to sign an agreement in virtue of which they give up asserting Small Poland. In exchange, they can remain in Cujavie.

Alliance with Przemysl II

To try to counter Venceslas, Przemysl II and Ladislas, which until there were competitor, meet with Kalisz in January 1293, with an aim of developing a common strategy to get rid of the sovereign of Bohemia. The January 6th 1293, on the initiative of the Archbishop Jakub Świnka, Ladislas the Brief and its brother Casimir II of Łęczyca conclude an agreement with Przemysl II. In exchange of their support, Przemysl, which does not have wire, makes of Ladislas Short its heir in Large Poland, Small Poland and in the duchy of the Poméranie de Gdańsk. This agreement is sealed by the marriage between Ladislas the Brief and Hedwige, the girl of Boleslas the Piles, the uncle de Przemysl.

The plan developed with Kalisz must already be re-examined the following year when Casimir II is killed by the Lituaniens. Casimir not being married and not having a child, it is his Ladislas brother the Brief which inherits the duchy of Łęczyca.

The June 26th 1295, with Gniezno, Jakub Świnka crowns Przemysl II king de Pologne, without awaiting the agreement of the Pape and the Holy roman Empire. A few months later, the February 8th 1296, Przemysl II is removed and assassinated by henchmen with the pay of the Margrave S of Brandebourg.

Duke of Large Poland and Poméranie

When Ladislas, supported by the nobility, succeeds Przemysl in Large Poland and Poméranie, Henri III of Głogów wants to take advantage of his rights on the throne which also had been promised to him by Przemysl in 1290.

The two parts find an agreement the March 10th 1296, grace in particular to the intervention of Jan Gerbicz. Henri III of Głogów receives all the area in the south of the Obra. Moreover, Ladislas the Brief adopts Henri IV Faithful the, the son of Henri III of Głogów, to which it promises to offer, when that reaches the age of its majority, the duchy of Poznań. And if Ladislas dies without descent, Henri IV the Faithful one will inherit all Large Poland.

Ladislas has many difficulties of imposing its authority in Large Poland. The armed robbery is generalized. The camp of the opponents with Ladislas is increasingly powerful, with at its head the bishop of Poznań, André Zaremba. The archbishop Jakub Świnka, who notes the incapacity of Ladislas to control effectively, takes his distances.

In June 1298, with Kościan, Henri III of Głogów concludes an agreement with André Zaremba. In exchange of a support to seize Large Poland, of Poméranie de Gdańsk and crown of Poland, Henri promises to widen the Privilège S of the Église and to offer the station of Chancelier kingdom to a person of the camp of the opponents with Ladislas the Brief.

The exile

Venceslas II, become king de Bohême in 1297, has also the ambition to become king de Pologne, For that, it must eliminate Ladislas, his most dangerous adversary. In 1299, Ladislas the Brief must again pay a homage of vassalage to Venceslas. In July 1300, under the pretext that Ladislas does not fill its duties of vassal, Venceslas II organizes a punitive forwarding. Ladislas succeeds in fleeing and leaving the country whereas his wife and her children hide with Radziejów.

The return

In 1304, Ladislas the Brief, having the support of the Holy roman Empire and the Hungary, returns from exile and seizes Wiślica and Lelów. This triumphal return would undoubtedly have been of short duration if it does not have had had the death of Venceslas II the June 21st 1305. Continuing on its impetus, Ladislas seizes before the end of the year the duchies Sandomierz, Sieradz, Łęczyca and Brześć. Ladislas profits once again from favorable circumstances when Venceslas III, on the way towards Poland with the head of an army to assert the crown, is assassinated with Olomouc the August 4th 1306. Its death is followed of a Civil war to Bohemia, leaving the freehands to Ladislas. Having rejoined with him the majority of the knight S of Small Poland, Ladislas makes fold the Patricien S of Cracow and Jan Muskata, by granting new privileges to the town of Cracow and the bishop.

Ladislas settles in Wawel on September 1st 1306. Its two priorities are to take again the control of Large Poland and Poméranie. In Large Poland, it only succeeds in seizing frontier cities with Cujavie: Konin, Koło and Nakło. The remainder of Large Poland east invades by Henri III of Głogów (except for the area of Wieluń whose Bolko I {{er}} of Opole took control). End 1306, near Tczew, Ladislas the Brief faces the army of Brandebourg and seizes Poméranie de Gdańsk which he entrusts to governors.

Conquest of Poméranie de Gdańsk by Teutoniques

In Poméranie, German middle-class of Tczew and Gdańsk lorgne towards the margraves de Brandebourg whereas the Polish nobility of the campaigns remains honest in Ladislas the Brief. In August 1308, Brandebourg, with the call of the middle-class, invades Poméranie and besieges Gdańsk. The teutonic Chevaliers are called for the aid by the Poles. But after having rejected Brandebourg, the Order teutonic intends well to preserve the area to integrate it into its State. The October 13rd 1308, Teutoniques seize Gdańsk, massacre the Polish inhabitants and preserve the city. Ladislas controls nothing any more but the southernmost part of Poméranie.

In February 1309, Teutoniques seize Tczew. In April, they ask the Poles to pay them a strong ransom to leave Poméranie de Gdańsk, which Ladislas refuses. The conquest of Poméranie is completed in September 1309, when Teutoniques seize Świecie after a two month old seat. The control of Poméranie makes it possible Teutoniques to transfer their capital from Venice to the fortress of Marienburg (Malbork).

Elimination of the interior opposition

If Ladislas the Brief did not engage more actively in defense of Poméranie, it is because it was to face an important interior opposition in Small Poland, directed by Jan Muskata and the Maire of Cracow.

Former partisan of Venceslas II, Jan Muskata leads the hard life to Ladislas. He ties contacts with the two large enemies of Ladislas: Bolko Ier d' Opole and Henri III of Głogów. In June 1308, Jakub Świnka, the archbishop of Gniezno, assists from Ladislas by depriving the bishop of Cracow of his miter, following a canonical lawsuit. In January 1309, Ladislas makes stop Muskata and imprisons it for six months before expelling it area. It is only in 1317 that it will be authorized to return following an intervention of the pope Jean XXII.

In May 1311, Ladislas must face an coup attempt of state fomented by the German middle-class of Cracow and Sandomierz, and directed by Albert, the mayor of Cracow. The mutineers invite Bolko Ier d' Opole to go up on the throne. The rebels seize the city but not Wawel, defended by the faithful ones of Ladislas. It is not known if Bolko intervenes with personal capacity or as vassal of the new king de Bohême Jean of Luxembourg. Ladislas crushes the mutiny thanks to the assistance of the Hungarian and Bolko must flee Cracow in June 1312. Ladislas sanctions the leaders heavily and removes many privileges which had been granted to the city.

Conquest of Large Poland

The standardization of the situation in Small Poland makes it possible Ladislas to turn to Large Poland. After the death of Henri III of Głogów the December 9th 1309, its territory is divided between its five sons which must face the opposite Chevalerie with the dismemberment of the duchy. At the beginning 1314, a revolt bursts, undoubtedly inspired by Ladislas the Brief. The insurrectionists make themselves main quickly from all Large Poland, except for Poznań which resists. They invite Ladislas to go up on the throne. It is only in November 1314 that Ladislas obtains the republication of Poznań. It leaves to the children of Henri III only one small territory located on Obra.

Having carried out the conquest of Large Poland, Ladislas can follow a more active foreign politics. In 1315, it concludes with the Scandinavian Monarchie S (Denmark, Sweden and Norway), the Mecklembourg and Poméranie, an alliance directed against Brandebourg. The war bursts one year later, but has as a consequence only the devastation of the border zones.

Royal crowning and collaboration with Hungary

At that time, Ladislas starts to operate to obtain that the pope authorizes his crowning as a king de Pologne. It is actively supported by the Polish Church, the archbishop of Gniezno Borzysław (which succeeded Jakub Świnka in 1314) and the bishop of Cujavie Gerward at the head. In 1318, Gerward is sent to Avignon by Ladislas the Brief. 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. The pope gives his agreement the August 20th 1319.

The January 20th 1320, Ladislas Ier the Brief is made crown king in Cracow, in the Cathédrale of Wawel, by Janisław, the new archbishop of Gniezno. This crowning marks the rebuilding of a solid kingdom (except for Silesia, of the Mazovie and Poméranie, all the Polish territories are joined together under the crown). The sword of the sacring, known as Szczerbiec (Notched), is used for the first time at the time of this crowning. In the facts, Ladislas is more the king of Cracow than that of Poland. It could achieve its goal because Jean of Luxembourg, which asserts also the crown, must face many interior difficulties in Bohemia.

The year 1320 is also crucial for Ladislas in other fields. The April 14th 1320, in Inowrocław begins the first lawsuit, organized by the the Holy See, opposing Poland and Teutoniques about Poméranie. The pope Jean XXII named Janisław, the archbishop of Gniezno, as judge. The lawsuit finishes the February 9th 1321 with Brześć Kujawski. Teutoniques are condemned to return Poméranie to Poland and to pay a compensation. They do not yield with the verdict.

Always in 1320, Elisabeth, the girl of Ladislas, marries Charles Robert of Hungary, reinforcing alliance between the two nations.

Intervention in Rus' de Halych

Three years after its conclusion, alliance between Poland and Hungary are put at contribution. In the Rus' de Halych-Volodymyr, the dynasty resulting from Roman of Halicz dies out following the death of the two heirs to the throne who faced the Tatars. Poland and Hungary successfully support Piast de Mazovie, Boleslas, the son of Trojden I {{er}} of Czersk, which seizes the throne and takes the name of Georges II ( Jerzy II ) to direct this orthodoxe country . It is the beginning of a growing influence of Poland in the area, which will allow its annexation by Casimir III Large the.

War against Brandebourg

In 1325, Ladislas concludes an alliance with Gediminas (Giedymin), the Large-duke of Lithuania. Casimir III the Large one, the son and successor of Ladislas, marries the girl of Gediminas. The February 10th 1326, the armies Polish and Lithuanian launch an offensive against the Nouvelle Walk and seize the fortified town of Międzyrzecz. The same year, Ladislas seizes the area of Wieluń, which belonged to Boleslas Elder the, an ally of Bohemia.

Failure of the invasion of Mazovie

The following year, Ladislas sets up a new military forwarding, this time against Mazovie. The objective is to subject Wacław, the duke of Płock. In spite of the catch and the fire of Płock, the countryside is a failure. Indeed, Teutoniques, then Jean of Luxembourg, combined of Mazovie, entered the war. Whereas Teutoniques push back Ladislas, Jean of Luxembourg ensures his domination on most of Silesia. The dukes of High-Silesia pay a homage of vassalage to him to Opava, which results in the loss of the area for Poland.

Always in 1327, Ladislas gives the duchies of Łęczyca and Sieradz to its nephews (Boleslas and Ladislas) and to Przemysł d' Inowrocław, in exchange of the strategic areas of Inowrocław and Dobrzyń nad Wisłą.

Loss of the area of Dobrzyń

To the beginning of the year 1329, the armies of Bohemia and Order teutonic leave in Croisade, attack and seize the fortified towns most important of Samogitie (Lithuania). At the same time, king Ladislas the Brief starts to invade the grounds controlled by the Order in Prussia. The crusaders fold up themselves on Poland and seize the area of Dobrzyń that Jean of Luxembourg offers to Teutoniques. Then, Waclaw de Płock is obliged to pay a homage of vassalage to Jean of Luxembourg. The duchy of Płock, which until there had succeeded in being maintained apart from Polish sovereignty, becomes a Fief of Bohemia. Teutoniques, profiting owing to the fact that Cujavie is not ready for the war, cross the Vistula to plunder and set fire to the towns of Włocławek, Raciąż and Przedecz.

Not being able to fight on two faces, Ladislas the Brief proposes a Armistice in Brandebourg. This one, confronted with a civil war, accepts.

War against Teutoniques for the possession of Cujavie

In 1330, the war against Teutoniques begins again. Those carry out raids against towns of Cujavie and Large Poland, putting at bag Radziejów, Bydgoszcz and Nakło. In reprisals, Ladislas, supported by the Lithuanians, crosses the the Vistula and tackles the area of Chełmno. A seven months trève is concluded the October 18th 1330. Unfortunately for Poland, alliance with Lithuania breaks following a quarrel between Ladislas and Gediminas.

In July 1331, the armies gipsy and teutonic launch a joint attack against Large Poland and Cujavie, the two armies having to meet in Kalisz. The town of Gniezno is devastated but the cathedral is saved. In September, Teutoniques, ordered by Dietrich von Altenburg, arrive at the doors of Kalisz. The Czech army is not there. Jean of Luxembourg, which stopped in Silesia to regulate the succession of the duchy of Głogów, has to face the resistance of Bolko II Small the. Not being able to allow itself to leave time to Ladislas, Teutoniques decide to invade Cujavie without awaiting the arrival of the Czechs.

The night of the 23 to the September 24th, the first direct confrontation between Pole and Teutoniques occurs in the area of Konin. Three days later, in the area of Radziejów, a Polish army of 5.000 men, with at his Ladislas head the Brief and Casimir the Large one, fall on the rear-guard from Teutoniques. Benefitting from the effect of surprise, the Poles gain the battle and capture Dietrich von Altenburg. The final confrontation takes place the afternoon, close to the Village of Płowce. The Poles are victorious but the battle does not finish. For an unknown reason, part of the Poles, taken along by prince Casimir, leaves the battle field. Benefitting from confusion, Dietrich von Altenburg escapes and is folded up with its troops on Toruń. This battle has a great psychological impact on the Poles. It shows that Teutoniques are not invincible. This victory shows also the limits of the power of Ladislas Ier the Brief. It can push back the offensives but it is in the incapacity to reconquer.

Little time after, of the negotiations opens with Teutoniques with Inowrocław but they do not lead to a peace treaty. In 1332, the Order, under the command of Othon von Luterberg, lance a large news offensive military against Cujavie. This time, the Polish forces cannot stop the teutonic tide. The April 20th 1332, after two weeks of seat, Teutoniques seize Brześć Kujawski, the capital of Cujavie. The two others more important fortified towns of the area (Inowrocław and Gniewkowo) also fall very quickly into their hands. Ladislas can only note the loss of the duchy which he had inherited his father. In August 1332, Jean of Luxembourg and Charles Robert have to be referees in the conflict between Pole and Teutoniques. The Légat of the pope imposes an armistice which leaves in Teutoniques their recent conquests, the area of Dobrzyń and Cujavie.

Death and succession

In January 1333, benefitting from died from Przemko II, Ladislas the Brief invades the small duchy of Kościan, pertaining to the dukes of Głogów, vassal of Jean of Luxembourg. It is its last conquest.

Ladislas dies the March 2nd 1333 with the castle of Wawel, in Cracow. It leaves a kingdom smaller than that which it received during its crowning in 1320. It is buried in the cathedral of Wawel.

Of its marriage with Hedwige de Kalisz, it had three wire: Ladislas, Stephan and Casimir. The two very young first having died, it is the junior who succeeds to him under the name of Casimir III the Large one.

It also had three girls: Cunégonde, Élizabeth and Hedwige. Cunégonde married Bernard de Świdnica, then Rodolphe of Saxony. Élizabeth married Charles Robert, the king of Hungary. It is the mother of Louis Ier of Hungary. Hedwige died before to have reached the adulthood.

See too

History of Poland
Piast

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