Mieszko III of Poland

Mieszko III the Old. Drawing by Jan Matejko.

Mieszko III the Old (Polish: Mieszko III Stary; b. ca. 1126/27 – d. 13 March 1202), of the Piast Dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland, 1138-1202, and High Duke of all Poland, with interruptions, 1173-1202.

He was the fourth but second surviving son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Duke of Poland, by his second wife Salome, daughter of Henry, Count of Berg-Schelklingen.

Life

Bolesław III's death. Mieszko III, ruler of Greater Poland

According to his father's testament, Mieszko received the Greater Poland Province, composed by Western Greater Poland with Poznan as his main residence. His older half-brother, Władysław II (the eldest son of the late Duke with his first Russian wife) was the High Duke and overlord of the country.

The First Conflict with Władysław II

The first major conflict with the High Duke took place during 1140-1141, when the Junior Dukes and their mother Salome, without the the knowledge of Władysław, divided between them the Łęczyca province and decided to arrange the marriage of their younger sister Agnes with one of the sons of the Grand Prince of Kiev, Vsevolod II Olgovich. Only through the rapid intervention of Władysław the independence plans of the Junior Duke failed, because Grand Prince Vsevolod II, between an alliance with the strong High Duke or the weak Junior Dukes and their mother, he chose the first opcion, reforced with the betrothal of Władysław's eldest son with Vsevolod's daughter.

Death of Salome of Berg. The Second Part of the conflict with Władysław II

On 27 July 1144, the Dowager Salome died. It was then that Władysław incorporated the Łęczyca province to the Seniorate; this was opposed by the Junior Dukes Bolesław and Mieszko, who had the idea to give this land to his brother Henry. Fighting took place in 1145; after an unexpectedly defeath, the High Duke, thanks to his Kievan allies, finally obtain the victory (Battle of Pilicy). Then was made an agreement, under which Władysław retain Łęczyca. However, the High Duke continue with his intentions of reunited all Poland under his rule. This originated the strong opposition of the voivode Piotr Włostowic, who dediced to support the Junior Dukes in order to mantain his power and position. Władysław decided eliminate Włostowic from his way for good. The voivode is captured after an ambush; the Duchess Agnes of Babenberg, Władysław's wife, demanded his death, but the High Duke chosen a terrible punishment: Włostowic was blinded, muted and expelled from the country. This was the began of the fall of Władysław.

The Third Part of the conflict. Władysław II is exiled from the country. Bolesław IV, New High Duke of Poland

The war erupted again in early 1146. This time, Władysław couldn't count with his Kievan allies, because they were busy in his own problems (which more the High Duke sent some of their forces, led by his eldest son Bolesław, in order to support Great prince Vsevolod in Kiev). Władysław was confident of his victory and initially it seemed that the success was on his side, because Bolesław and Mieszko, fearing clashes in an open field, decided to escape to Poznan. At this time was when began the disaster to the High Duke. Władysław's cause lose support when the Archbishop of Gniezno excommunicated him for his behavior against the voivode Włostowic, and also his own subjects, who were against his tyrannical rule. The defeat of Władysław was totally; by May of 1146 all Poland was in the hands of the Junior Dukes, and the former High Duke and his family were forced to escape firstly to Bohemia and later to Germany, under the protection of King Conrad III, half-brother of Duchess Agnes.

After consolidated his rule over Poland, Bolesław and Mieszko decided his new politics. Bolesław took control over Silesia and take the title of High Duke. Mieszko, by the other hand, was really satisfied with his role of a close colleague of his older brother. Henry, the next brother, finally received his Duchy of Sandomierz. The youngest brother, Casimir, remained without lands.

The Expedition of the German King Conrad III in defense of Władysław II

In August 1146 arrived to Poland an expedition of King Conrad III of Germany, in order to restore his brother-in-law Władysław in the throne. The German army was defeated as a result of spillages of the Oder River and the opposition of the former Władysław's subjects to a German interference. Finally was an agreement, under which the King accepted the rule of Bolesław; in return, he was declared a vassal of the Empire. The dispute between Władysław and the Juniors Dukes remained unresolved, because the King Conrad III was busy with the preparations of his journey to Holy Land.

The issue of recognition of the authority of Boleslaw and lives in the international arena

Meanwhile, princes did not wait passively for the arrangement to post their thoughts. In May 1147 sufficient at the Pope Eugene III as confirmation of registration for a monastery in Trzemeszno, which was a clear recognition of their sovereignty.

In 1147, simultaneously with rendering Conrad III to the Holy Land, Mieszko III, took part in the lead in the Wielkopolska rycerstwa crusade against Słowianom połabskim, which organized the Bear Albrecht, Margrave of the Marches North, along with Konrad, Margrave Misnia. During this trip Mieszko sought to protect Polish interests of the Spree politically and militarily supporting some Slav dynastów. These conditions are zaniepokoiło Bear Albrecht, who arrived in early 1148 to Kruszwica in order to work out agreements, but we do not know the contents. They were supported by Boleslaw married sisters and lives with Judith Otto, the first Margrave of Brandenburg, son of Albrecht.

Emperor Frederick Barbarossy trip to Poland

Expeditions to the Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossy actually occurred in 1157. For unknown reasons, Boleslaw and Mieszko not tried to defend the traditional line the river Oder - burned rustic castles in Glogow and Bytom and began their retreat into the depths of Wielkopolski. There has been in the camp under the imperial Krzyszkowem pay tribute humiliating for lennego Boleslaw, who with a sword in the neck uwiązanym Frederick asked for forgiveness. Rulers of Poland also paid a great tribute Emperor, promised to send food and Italian expedition to appear on Christmas Day to Magdeburg, where he was to be finally resolved a dispute with senior wygnanym family of Wladyslaw. As a guarantee the fulfillment of the youngsters sent to Germany with the hostages młodziutkim Kazimierz Just at the forefront. Only through the involvement of the emperor in the affairs of the Italian and death Wladyslaw II in May 1159, youngsters serious for them to krzyszkowskich not have to pursue the (death of Wladyslaw allowed back his sons - Boleslaw Plątonogiego High and lives in 1163).

Death of Henri of Sandomierz. Mieszko III rebelled against Bolesław IV

In October 1166 during the Prussian expedition died sandomierski Duke Henry, who provided testimony in its lease najmłodszemu brother, not yet possessing its own fair Kazimierz district. Boleslaw crisp, contrary Testament, maintained a duchy for himself going with the assumption that Sandomierszczyzna was taken out of the district senioralnej. This decision has triggered unrest in the country and rebellion Casimir Fair, which was supported by Mieszko III Old, mighty małopolscy, Jaksa of Miechów and Sviatoslav, son of Peter Włostowica, as well as the Archbishop of Gniezno John and the Bishop of Cracow Gedko. Rebels gathered in February 1168 exit to East Linton, in which selected a new prince lives III zwierzchnim and Sandomierski ofiarowano Jill. For the war ultimately did not occur, because Boleslaw IV crimped agreed with the demands of rebels dividing the heritage of Henry into three parts: (Wiślica got to Jill, Stirling Bolesław, the third closer not Mieszkowi known III).

The situation in Silesia. Mieszko III, vassal of the Empire

In 1172 there has been a turbulent events in Silesia. As a result of the mutiny, which claimed the Bolesław High Mieszko his brother and a son, Jaroslaw, was Wroclaw prince in exile in Germany. In order to prevent the imperial intervention, went to Magdeburg Mieszko III, with the sum of 8,000 fines trybutu Boleslaw and promised to restore to the throne. This time, the terms of the agreement have been complied with. Boleslaw regained power in Wroclaw, however, had to agree on the division had a brother and son of their own neighborhoods.

Death of Bolesław IV. Mieszko III, High Duke of Poland

5 die in January 1173 Boleslaw crimped Mieszko is a prince - Senior. He lives power all III, considered the leaders in Poland, while the new princeps, since then, the prince tytułuje across Poland (Latin: dux Totius Poloniae). On the coins, many in mint battered by the Jewish mincerzy, there is even a royal title (they are dated by different historians in the years 1173-1202). His policy focuses on maintaining the greatest power in the hands of the Prince - the oldest member and recentralizacji country. He, too strictly, according to the mighty, too monarsze of monopolies. He lives center of power, despite extending the throne of Krakow, remained in Wielkopolska, Malopolska ruled by appointed by the governor himself. It was Henry Kietlicz.

In foreign policy has suffered several successes through their daughters married. Thanks conducted a large-scale policy dynastycznej renewed inter alia Polish sovereignty over the Western Pomerania.

Rebellions against Mieszko III's authority. Casimir II the Just took the Duchy of Krakow, Miesko's eldest son Odon took the Greater Poland

Full enforcement of rights arising from regale prince led to the rebellion małopolskich możnowładców, which supported: Gedko bishop of Krakow, Boleslaw I High, Kazimierz II Fair, as well as Odo - the oldest son lives III. The reason for the mutiny was the son lives favoring the offspring of the marriage and the second attempt wykierowania Odon career clergy.

Rebellion completely surprised lives III, even at Easter 1177 is nothing zapowiadało crisis, especially that on the princeps organized by the then mighty and the princes to Gniezno stawiły the crowds. Asia has the authority rokoszan almost without resistance, since their party has the most important man lives III, his deputy, Henry Kietlicz. At the same time as małopolskimi activities Casimir came to the shares: in Silesia and Wielkopolska Boleslaw High Odo. There was a significant complication, because in Silesia against Prince Mieszko wrocławskiemu occurred Plątonogi and Jaroslaw Opolski leading him to reconsider the removal from the district. This has led to a loss of opportunity to gain Boleslaw senioratu and go to Krakow, asking for help Casimir II. Also fighting in the Greater przeciągnęły probably until 1179, when, in the end it is not seeing the possibility of continuing the resistance, Mieszko III withdraws to its namesake and sprzymierzeńca to Raciborz. Shortly afterwards, to the rebel military leadership, Mieszko Plątonogi away from the Old lives, dedicated to satisfying the Malopolska kasztelaniami Auschwitz and bytomską together with Siewierz.

The Immigration Policy. Miesko III return to Poland and reconciliation with his son Odon

Forced to emigrate political, after 1179, he went to the Czech Republic (where his son-in-law refused to help Sobiesław II), Germany (here Mieszko count on the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, which was offered for the restoration of the throne 10,000 fines - unsuccessfully) and Pomerania, where only supported it son-in-law Prince Boguslaw. With Pomerania Mieszko forged links with their followers grouped around the Archbishop of Gniezno Zdzislaw and 1181 he managed to get through their aid handled the eastern Wielkopolska from Gniezno and Kalisz, yet belonging to the district senioralnej. At the same time Mieszkowi also managed to recover the western part of Wielkopolska. Odon son left in the southern part of the river's obra. In 1182 there was a formal reconciliation father with his son. During these events, for unknown reasons Kazimierz II has kept the total passivity, a kind of positive Mieszkowi to recover Wielkopolski.

Mieszko III tried to recover the full power over Poland. Siege of Kujavia

In 1184 Mieszko sought to be interested in the fate of their German king Henry VI, offering him a large sum of money. These sparaliżował Kazimierz Henryk paying more than the sum offered by Prince wielkopolskiego.

Failures in Malopolska Mieszko III, on lap Mazowsze tried and Kujawy, rządzonych by chorowitego son Boleslaw Kędzierzawego, Leszek. He managed to convince the prince that this Masovian testimony indicated in the Old son lives, lives Younger, for his successor. Only nieumiejętnym governments namiestniczym Younger lives and too autoratywnemu proceedings can be attributed to the fact that in 1185, one year before his death, Leszek changed testament and appointed his successor Casimir Fair. Mieszko Dude, not wanting to come to terms with the fact that, after the death of Leszek in 1186 took part Kujawami from his neighborhood, setting it as a salary for his son Boleslaw (some historians consider that the seizure by Kujavian lives there until 1194, after the death of Kazimierz)

The Unsuccessful Expedition of Mieszko III to Kraków

In 1191 the foreign policy of Kazimierz just triggered dissatisfaction małopolskiego możnowładztwa, led by Henry Kietlicz. With the help of the opposition Małopolskiej Mieszko Krakow and had entrusted the power to one of his sons - Mieszkowi Bolesław Mieszkowicowi or younger. However, quickly regained Kazimierz district, and pojmanego son sent his father. Arguably, the prepared Krakow Mieszko III, has earmarked his son Mieszkowi district kaliską.

Division of the Greater Poland between his grandsons and his son Odon

2 August 1193 is dying son lives Old, Mieszko Younger. His district then forwarded the Duke of Wielkopolska eldest son Odonowi. Status takowy maintained only by 20 April 1194, until the death of Odon. There will be a new division Wielkopolski: Kalisz Mieszko retains for itself, while the southern Wielkopolska najmłodszemu forward to his son Wladyslaw Laskonogiemu, who also takes care of the minor son of Odon Wladyslaw

Death of Casimir II the Just. Mieszko III's renewed his pretentions over Kraków. Battle of Mozgawą and death of his son Bolesław

May 5 A fair Kazimierz died in 1194, in connection with what odżywają hopes to return lives to recover Malopolska. Unfortunately, this time the gentlemen małopolscy (focussed around the widow of Princess Helena Znojmo, Duke of Krakow and Bishop Nicholas Gryfity Pelkie) would prefer to see on the throne of minors sons Kazimierz - and L. Conrad, than a well-known for its authoritarian zapędów lives. Attempts to settle the armed dispute end in bloody battle over Mozgawą, 13 September 1195, which killed himself and Boleslaw Mieszko is injured: "Woj hurts some simple lives, and when it wants to strike, this will relieve helmet and exclaimed that he is prince! This recognize it for indulgence for (their) nierozwagi requests and defending against other natarciu up from the battle. "

After the battle Mieszko Kalisz to withdraw without waiting for in order meals from Silesia, led by Jaroslaw lives Plątonogiego and Opole likely to settle the conflict still on his website. Don already pobojowisku it comes to re-Silesian troops clash with the army spóźnionymi Duke Sandomierz Goworka.

Agreements with Helena of Znaim. Mieszko recover the power over Kraków in exchange for Kujavia. The settlement with the Możnymi

Battle of Old Mozgawska persuade lives, that by armed violence to gain the throne will be extremely difficult, so he began negotiations with the widow of Kazimierz Helena. In 1198 it difficult situation (in view of the increasing pressure from the mighty) allowed him to return to Little Poland in return for reimbursing Kujavian. In 1199, together Nikolai governor of the Krakow bishop Pełka temporarily remove the lives of Krakow's throne, but even in the same year there among them a settlement. Mieszko retained the title of prince, but had to give up part of his powers.

Relations with the Church

In the days of their governments Mieszko care about good relations with the Church. He founded (probably about 1,150 a year) in New York at St. collegiate. Paul, a hospital in Poznan (about 1170, was the oldest hospital in Poland) and the Cistercian abbey in Ląd (1175). With original equipment that comes Przepiękna Romanesque monastery paten (including foundations lives), called from the location of storage, paten kaliską. Under his special care was also a Benedictine monastery in Lubiążu. Perhaps he also founded the famous doors Gnieźnieński with scenes from the life of St.. Adalbert. He was the last prince dzielnicowym in Poland, whose authority over the whole country is not subject to discussion.

Mieszko was Duke of Greater Poland, 1138-1202, and Duke of Kraków and High Duke of all Poland, 1173-1177, 1190, 1198/1199, 1202.

Marriages and Issue

Mieszko married:

• ca. 1140, Elizabeth of Hungary, daughter of unknown King of Hungary (it is supposed that her father was Almos or Stephan II or Bela II);
• ca. 1154, Eudoksia of Kiev (after 1187), daughter of Izjaslav II, Grand Prince of Kiev (Rulers of Kievan Rus).

Mieszko's children were:

• Odon of Greater Poland;
• Bolesław of Kujawy;
• Mieszko of Kalisz;
• Władysław III Spindleshanks
• Wierzchoslawa Ludmilla (before 1153 - 1223), married ca. 1160 to Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine
• Judith (before 1154 – after 12 December 1201), married ca. 1173 with Bernhard, Count of Anhalt and later Duke of Saxony.

See also

• History of Poland (966-1385)