Bolesław III Wrymouth

Bolesław III Wrymouth. Drawing by Jan Matejko.

Bolesław III Wrymouth (Bolesław III Krzywousty; b. 20 August 1086 – d. 28 October 1138) was Duke of Poland from 1102 until his death.

He was the eldest and only child of Duke Władysław I Herman by his first wife Judith, daughter of Vratislaus II of Bohemia.

Life

Early Years

By 1085 Władysław I Herman's authority in Poland was greatly in part thank to his father-in-law Vratislaus II. In 1086 Władysław was forced to call Prince Mieszko, the only son of his brother Boleslaw II the Bold and then the legitimate heir of Poland. At a price to recognize his authority Wladyslaw Herman probably entrusted to him the Krakow district. Władysław maybe accepted this situation for the absence of legitimate descendant by his own. His first-born son Zbigniew was illegitimate, and for this, he wasn't recognized by the Church as his heir.

According to Gallus Anonymus in his Chronica Polonorum, the Duke and his bohemian wife Judith travel to the sanctuary of Saint Giles in the Provence district of Saint-Gilles, with extravagant gifts (including a gold statue with the size of a baby) and pray for the birth of offspring.

On 20 August 1086, the needed and long-waited heir, Boleslaw, was finally born; but three months later, on 25 December, his mother Judith died. Three years later (1089) Władysław remarried with Judith of Swabia, daughter of Emperor Henry III and widow of King Solomon of Hungary. Through these marriage, Boleslaw gained only three or four half-sisters; in consequence, he remain as the only legitimate son and heir.

The birth of Boleslaw change completely the political situation in Poland. Mieszko, the former heir, was now an obstacle to Boleslaw, and this was likely the real cause of the misterious and unexpected death of the prince in 1089. Later in that year, Władysław's illegitimate son Zbigniew was sent to Saxony, were was confined in Quedlinburg Abbey, in order to make him a monk and in consequence, deprived of his rights to succession. With these facts, Władysław eliminate two potential pretenders to the Polish throne and protect the heritage of the minor Boleslaw and undermine the growing opposition against him. The Duke fell under the influence of the Palatine Sieciech, which may be tried his own exaltation to the throne. Also, he was the first guardian of Boleslaw. His power began to wave around 1100 and after thanks to the intrigues of the Duchess Judith-Sophia, Sieciech was stripped to all his lands and banished from the country; nevertless, he managed to return some later.

In 1090 Sieciech, with an small army, was able to briefly join the Gdańsk Pomerania to Poland. But shortly after, some major Pomeranian lands rebelled against the Polish domination; in order to get rid of resistance, after their defeat, all the rebel towns were burned. A few months later, there was a rebellion of the local elite, which led to the restoration of the independence from Poland.

The young Prince Boleslaw grew at a time when there is a massive repression against Sieciech's political issues. The direct consequences were the kidnapping of both Sieciech and Boleslaw by the Hungarians and the return of Zbigniew from Saxony (1093). When Władysław's failed attempts to rescue his son, he considered his first-born son as legitimate. Shortly after, he made an Act granting the right of legitimacy and recognition of Zbigniew as his lawful heir, in order to save the dinasty. Zbigniew under it obtained the right of succession to the throne. In the meanwhile Sieciech and Boleslaw could escaped from captivity, and made a trip to Silesia and Kuyavia with the purpose of reunited with the Duke and made the anullment of the Act of legitimacy. Zbigniew rebelled but was defeated in the Battle of Gopłem (1096), were he was imprisoned, but as a result of the intervention of the Bishops was released in May 1097 and his legitimation was declared null and void.

Division of the Country and Exile of Sieciech

After his return from captivity, Sieciech allied with his former enemy, the Duchess Judith-Sophia, and both planned to take the control over Poland as guardians of the young and unexperted Boleslaw. When Duke Władysław discover the intentions of his favorite and his own wife, he decided to give the guardianship of the Prince to his older half-brother Zbigniew. Shortly after, both brothers strongly requested to Władysław their own lands with separated governments. The Duke agreed to a divisionary treaty from his lands between his sons. Boleslaw received the Lesser Poland, Silesia, the Lubusz Land and Western part of the Greater Poland, who was in the frontier with Pomerania. Zbigniew received the rest of the Greater Poland (included Gniezno), Kuyavia, the Łęczyca Land, the Sieradzka Land and Masovia (who included Płock). Nevertless, Masovia and Płock remained under the control of Duke Władysław, and also retained important castles in the Boleslawis lands, like Wrocław, Kraków and Sandomierz.

The division of the country was a great opportunity to Sieciech to consolidate his power. He knew that the distribution of the country into districts, may weaken their positions, and exposed these plan to the Duke. Some historians are ambiguous towars the attitude of Duke Władysław, who accepted the proposal of Sieciech. When Boleslaw and Zbigniew hear the news, both decided to made the opposition coalition. They decided to remove from his position the old guardian of Boleslaw, Wojsław Powała (one of Sieciech's relatives), and organized an expedition against the Palatine. In 1099, the decisive battle was on the borders of the Pilica River: the forces of Boleslaw and Zbigniew won over the troops of Duke and Sieciech. Władysław was forced to accept the permanent removal of Sieciech as his adviser.

The Boleslaw and Zbigniew's forces have been further directed towards Sieciechów, where the Palatine was hidden. Unexpectedly, with a few soldiers, Duke Władysław came to help his favorite. In this situation, the Princes decided to deposed their father. Zbigniew sent a defiant opposition to Masovia. He began the siege of the capital Płock, while Boleslaw went to the South. The intention of the two brothers, was the environment and capture of Władysław. The Duke predicted the maneuvers of his sons and send his forces to Masovia. The conflict have occurred in Plock. Władysław was defeated and forced to exile Sieciech from the country for good. The Palatine left Poland around 1100/1101 and settled in German soil. However, he returned to Poland after several years, but he didn't play any political role again. It may have been blinded. Władysław I Herman died on 4 June 1102.

Duke of Poland

The Fight for the Domination (1102-1106)

The division of the Polish state, which took place after the death of Władysław, was similar to that made three years ago. It seemed that finally was ended the disputes between the brothers, but really, this peace was only a prelude to further and deep conflicts for the supreme power. Two separate states with self-governments were created: Zbigniew on Greater Poland (who included Masovia and Kuyavia) as a High Duke, and Boleslaw on Lesser Poland with Silesian area of Sandomierz as a Junior Duke.

Both principalities carry out a separate internal and external state policies. In the foreign policy, in order to search suitable allies, sometimes were one against the other. Pomerania became in a frecuent and bitter issue of anger between both princes. Zbigniew was firmly opposed to an invasion and tried to keep the good relations with the northern neighbor. With one of the first expedition organized by Boleslaw against Pomerania, he managed to return home some of his knights, which caused the anger of the Junior Duke. This situation has not lasted long, because in the next months was showed that almost all the Poland knights were in favor of Boleslaw and fight with him several times in Pomerania (also on Prussia). Nevertless, the retaliatory Pomeranian military actions were directed against Zbigniew, who forged his closer links with the Czechs, through which relations he have tried to pressure Boleslaw and the waiver from the Pomeranian. In the meanwhile, the Junior Duke reafirm his authority with pacts with Russia and Hungary. As a part of the peace with the Russian Kiev, Boleslaw married with Princess Zbyslava, daughter of the Grand Duke Sviatopolk II (1102).

Zbigniew declined the invitation to his brother's wedding, as he felt that the alliance of Boleslaw with Kiev was cleary against him. Shortly after, the Junior Duchy was invaded by Duke Borivoj II of Bohemia (who allegedly had a claim over the Polish throne). The answer of Boleslaw were later expeditions to Pomerania in the years 1104-1105. These expeditions provide valuable, and effectively finished the alliance of the Pomeranian with Zbigniew. His cooperation with the Hungarian King, which helped to reafirm Boleslaw's authority, ended with a joint expedition to the Czech Republic in 1105, supported by several circles in Poland.

In 1106 Boleslaw finally managed to drag the Czech Duke Borivoj II on his lands. In the same year, Boleslaw entered into an alliance with King Coloman of Hungary. But during the negociations, Zbigniew appeared and forced a pact in with none of the brothers will be in war or conclude any alliance without the consent of the other. This strongly unfavorable situation to Boleslaw led to a fratricidal struggle for the supreme power. With the help of Kiev Russians and Hungary, Boleslaw marched against Zbigniew. The combined forces seized without much problem Kalisz, Gniezno, Spycimierz and Łęczyca, taking half of the Senior Duchy. Thanks to the intervention of the Bishop of Krakow, Baldwin, was made a settlement in Łęczyca, in which Zbigniew officially recognized Boleslaw as a High Duke over all Poland (dominium) and retained only Masovia as a fief.

Independent Ruler

In 1107 Boleslaw together with King Coloman of Hungary made an expedition against Bohemia in order to made Svatopluk the new ruler the country. The interference in the Bohemian succession crisis was to safe the interests of Poland from his south-western neighbor. Expedition was a full success. On 14 May 1107 Svatopluk was entronized in the Ducal throne in in Prague.

The disputes between Boleslaw and his brother began again. The reason for the war was that Zbigniew and burning one of Boleslaw's castles. By the other hand, Zbigniew's pretext was the failure of his brother in the conquest of Pomerania. In the winter of 1107/1108 the joined forces of Boleslaw and his Russian-Hungarian allies want to have a final battle with Zbigniew. They attacked Masovia and forced to the rebel Prince to capitulated, which was banished from the country and his lands confiscated. Henceforth Boleslaw became the only and absolute ruler in Poland.

In that year he led again an attack to Bohemia, acting in the name of his ally King Coloman. This invasion was dictated by the Czech-German invasion of Hungary and the lack of fulfillment by Svatopluk of his agreements, which pledged to pay for the Bohemian castles constructed in Silesia (including Raciborz, Kamieńca and Koźle). Boleslaw tried the reposition of the former Duke Borivoj II, who wanted that. This attempt was unsuccessful.

In response to the aggressive policy of Boleslaw a reprisal expedition was taken by Poland to the Emperor Henry V (the Polish-German War of 1109). Henry V's forces were supported by the Czech wojów. The pretext was given by Zbigniew, who sought for justice, compensation and assistance in regaining his lost domains. Thanks to the heroic defenders of the Silesian castles Henry V was defeated. Boleslaw Krzywousty ran in a further stage of the war driveways, which gradually began to produce results. In the Battle of Hundsfeld (24 August 1109), the Imperial forces were defeated by the Polish forces led by Boleslaw. The Emperor finally withdrew from Silesia. There is the fact the participation of villagers in defense of castles, given the nature of a national fight against the foreign invasor.

In 1110 Boleslaw took again a new expedition against Bohemia. This time, he tried to settle on the Bohemian throne another pretender, Sobeslaus I, but failed. In 1111 was finally made a truce with the Emperor, under which Sobeslaus I was installed in Bohemia, and Henry V refused all support to Zbigniew. Later in that year, Zbigniew was send to Poland in the hands of his brother, and one year later (1112) blinded by order of Boleslaw. Zbigniew died some time later.

Boleslaw defeated the Pomeranians at the Battle of Nakło (1109) and pledged allegiance to Emperor Henry in 1110.

In several gruesome attacks Boleslaw III ravaged Pomerania and murdered so many people, that for years later heaps of bones were left still unburied. In an attack during the winter of 1120-1121 he conquered Stettin, the capital city of the Pomeranians and is said to have put 18000 people to death, and to have additionally transported to Poland another 8000 people together with their wives and children. He took control of largely depopulated Pomerania (1119-1123), thus again gaining Polish access to the Baltic Sea for a short time. Boleslaw then tried to Christianize what was left of Pomerania's population after the massacre. He failed to find any willing Polish bishops, who all turned it down, and was able to convince a Spanish bishop, Bernard, who was chased away.

Bernard retired to Bamberg where he saw to it that Otto of Bamberg would take up the mission to the Pomeranians. Otto succeeded in 1124. The local government of the Duke of Pomerania was left in place.

Bolesław also defeated troops of the Emperor Henry V, who came to the aid of Boleslaw's brother Zbigniew of Poland in (1109) at the Battles of Głogów and Psie Pole (the latter is known as the Battle of Hundsfeld). Boleslaw sought to keep his older brother from gaining the throne.

In the years 1113-1119 he had taken control over Pomerania.

Boleslaw ceased his tribute to the emperor upon his death in 1125.

File:Herb Piastów.PNG

White Eagle 1295 used by Przemysł II later referred to as Piast Eagle Coat of Arms.

In 1130 in alliance with the Danish prince Magnus I of Gothenland, Bolesław threatened Rügen. Polish forces delivered by Danish fleet compelled Ranis to recognize his rule over the island, but ultimately failed to accomplish that goal.

In 1135, Boleslaw finally gave his belated oath of allegiance to the new Emperor Lothair II (Lothar von Supplinburg), and paid twelve years past due tribute. The emperor granted Boleslaw parts of Western Pomerania and Rügen as fiefs, however the emperor was not in control of these areas and Bolesław also failed to subdue them.

Boleslaw also campaigned in Hungary 1132– 1135, but to little effect.

Before his death in 1138, Boleslaw Wrymouth published his testament dividing his lands among four of his sons. The "Senioral Principle" established in the testament stated that at all times the eldest member of the dynasty was to have supreme power over the rest and was also to control an indivisible "senioral part": a vast strip of land running north-south down the middle of Poland, with Kraków its chief city. The Senior's prerogatives also included control over Pomerania, a fief of the Holy Roman Empire. The "senioral principle" was soon broken, leading to a period of nearly 200 years of Poland's feudal fragmentation.

Marriages and Issue

By 16 November 1102 Boleslaw married firstly with Zbyslava (b. ca. 1085/90 - d. ca. 1112), daughter of Grand Duke Sviatopolk II of Kiev. They had three children:

1. Władysław II Wygnaniec (b. 1105 - d. Altenburg, 30 May 1159).
2. A son (b. ca. 1108 - d. aft. 1109).
3. A daughter (b. ca. 1111 - d. ?), married in 1124 to Vsevolod Davidovich, Prince of Murom.

Between March and July of 1115, Boleslaw married secondly with Salome (b. bef. 1101 - d. 27 July 1144), daughter of Henry, Count of Berg-Schelklingen. They had thirteen children:

1. Leszek (b. 1115 - d. 26 August bef. 1138).
2. Ryksa (b. 1116/17 - d. aft. 25 December 1155), married firstly ca. 1129/30 to Magnus the Strong, pretender of Sweden and Denmark; secondly bef. 18 May 1136 to Volodar of Polatsk, Prince of Minsk; and thirdly aft. 1143 to King Sverker I of Sweden.
3. A daughter (b. bef. 1119 - d. ?), married in 1131 to Conrad, Count of Plötzkau and Margrave of Nordmark.
4. Sophie (b. 1120/21 - d. 10 October 1136).
5. Casimir (b. 9 August 1122 - d. 19 October 1131).
6. Gertruda (b. 1123/24 - d. 7 May 1160), a nun at Zwiefalten (1139).
7. Bolesław IV the Curly (b. ca. 1125 - d. 3 April 1173).
8. Mieszko III the Old (b. 1126/27 - d. Kalisz, 13 March 1202).
9. Dobronegra Ludgarda (b. 1129 - d. aft. 26 October 1147), married ca. 1142 to Dietrich, Margrave of Niederlausitz.
10. Judith (b. 1130 - d. 8 July 1175), married firstly in 1136 to Ladislaus of Hungary (later King Ladislaus II), who repudiated her bef. 1148; and secondly on 6 January 1148 to Otto I, Margrave of Brandenburg.
11. Henryk (b. 1131 - d. 18 October 1166).
12. Agnes (b. 1137 - d. aft. 1182), married in 1151 to Mstislav II Kyjevský, Prince of Vladimir and Volynia and Grand Prince of Kiev since 1168.
13. Casimir II the Just (b. 1138 - d. 5 May 1194).

See also

• Piast dynasty
• History of Poland (966-1385)

External links

• Map of the feudal dissolution