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| Reign || Of 1194 with 1198, of 1202 with 1210 and of 1211 with 1227
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| Dynasty || Piast
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| Parents || Casimir II the Juste
Helene of Kiev
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| Wife || * Grzymisława of Łuck (1207)
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| Children || * Salome
* Boleslas
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| Birth date || 1186/1187
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| Birthplace || ?
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| Date of death || November 23rd 1227
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| Place of death || Marcinkowo Górne, close to Gąsawa
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| Place of burial || Cathedral of the Wawel, Cracow, Poland
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Lech the White (in Polish Leszek Biały ), from the dynasty of the Piasts, was born in 1186/1187 and deceased the November 23rd 1227. He is the son of Casimir II the Juste and of Helene of Kiev.
He was duke of Cracow (1194 - 1198, 1202 - 1210, and starting from 1211), duke of Sandomierz (1194 - 1227), duke of Mazovie (1194 - 1200) and duke of Cujavie (1199 - 1200).
A beginning of chahuté reign
With died his/her father the May 5th 1194, very young Lech the White inherits the throne of Cracow as well as duchy of Mazovie and Cujavie. His/her uncle Mieszko III the Old man of Large-Poland, ambitionnant to reconquer the throne of Cracow, invades Cujavie which it offers to his son Boleslas. The September 13rd 1195, in Cujavie, a bloody military confrontation opposing Mieszko III the Old man to the partisans of Lech the White (Battle of Mozgawa) does not make it possible Mieszko to take the advantage. His/her Boleslas son perishes in the battle.
The regency of Mieszko III the Old man
In 1198, following an agreement, Mieszko III becomes princeps in fact. It ensures the Régence in the name of Lech the White which in support of the Noblesse. In exchange, it restores Cujavie and recognizes Lech the White like heir to the throne of Large Poland. The March 13rd 1202, died of Mieszko III the old man, Lech the White, in age to reign, succeeds to him. Ladislas III with the Legs Hails briefly seizes the throne before being driven out of Cracow. Conrad, the brother of Lech, becomes duke of Mazovie and Cujavie.
Agreement with Hungary on Halych
In 1205, Romance Large the, the prince of the Rus' de Halych-Volodymyr, lance an offensive against the Poland. It is stopped by the armies of Conrad de Mazovie and Lech the White. Prince Roman is killed while passing the the Vistula the June 19th 1205 (battles of Zawichost). Lech the White intervenes in the war of succession to the throne of Halych-Volodymyr which he covets. In 1215, it signs an agreement with the Hungary in virtue of which the principality was to be independent with as sovereign the son of king de Hongrie (Coloman) which will have to marry the girl of Lech the White (Salome). This marriage will be made in 1219.
Bringing together with papacy
In 1206, Iwo Odrowąż becomes the chancellor of Lech the White whereas the archbishop of Gniezno Henryk Kietlicz throws the Anathème on Ladislas III with the Legs Hails which disputes the legitimacy of Lech.
In 1207, Lech the White applies the reforms of the Pape Innocent III, supported by the archbishop of Gniezno and his chancellor. It also gives up the right of episcopal nomination what makes it possible Wincenty Kadłubek to be elected bishop of Cracow by the Chapitre the September 11th 1207. In exchange, a bubble of the pope Innocent III confirms the legitimacy of Lech the White and places Poland under the protection of the the Holy See. Poland joined the vassal States of the Church making counterweight to the Saint Empire.
Privileges granted to the Church
The June 9th 1210, at the time of a Synod held with Borzykowa at the same time as an assembly of the Duke S Polish, the archbishop of Gniezno Henryk Kietlicz manages to make confirm the many privileges obtained by the Church with Łęczyca in 1180. It obtains the privilege of immunity for the Church (it will be able to have its own courts). All these privileges are recognized by Lech the White, Conrad Ier de Mazovie and Ladislas Odonic. Benefitting from the absence of Lech the White, Mieszko IV Legs Frays invades Cracow and seizes the throne. With its death the May 16th 1211, Lech the White finds the capacity. To Wolbórz in 1215, Lech the White grants new privileges to the Church, making it possible this one to be a true State in the State.
Independence compared to the Saint Worsens
In 1215, Frederic II becomes the new king of Germany and grants privileges to the Polish dukes who make those more independent of the Saint Empire.
Peace agreement and christianization of Prussia
In 1217 (or 1218), an agreement is concluded between Lech the White, Henri Ier Bearded the and Ladislas III with the Legs Hails. Lech the White and Ladislas III with the Legs Hails decide that the Petite Poland and the Large-Poland will return to that of both which will live longest. The three dukes also decide to undertake the Christianisation Prussia. In 1222, the Poles launch a first Croisade against the Prussian which will show a failure. In 1223, they undertake without much more success a news great crusade against the Prussians under the auspices of the bishop Christian missionary.
In 1225, opponents with Lech incite Henri Ier the Bearded one to seize the throne of Cracow. In spite of the peace agreement, this one will besiege the city during a few days before giving up.
The assassination of Lech the White
In 1216 (or 1217), Lech the White entrusts the duchy of Gdańsk to Świętopełk II of Poméranie which pays a homage of vassalage to him, while having for objective to release itself from the Suzerain be Polish.
Świętopełk II is an ally in the person of Ladislas Odonic isolated of the capacity in Large Poland by Ladislas III with the Legs Hails. Świętopełk II promises the throne of Cracow and the Silesia to him if it helps it to eliminate Lech the White and Henri Ier Bearded the. The November 23rd 1227, at the time of an assembly of the Piasts dukes to Gąsawa, Lech the White is killed in an ambush assembled by Świętopełk II of Poméranie and Ladislas Odonic. Henri Ier the Bearded one is seriously wounded. Lech the White was the last duke of Cracow having had authority on all the Polish duchies. Its assassination is followed of a free-for-all between the applicants to the throne which victorious Ladislas III will leave to the Legs Hails.
See too
- Piast
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