Vladislaus II of Opole

This article is about a 14th century noble. For the 13th century one, see Władysław Opolski.

Portrait of Władysław Opolczyk by Jan Matejko

Ducal seal "Ladislaus Dei Gracia Dux Opoliensis Wieloniensis et Terre Russie Domin et Heres" (ca. 1387)

Coins (1389)

Władysław of Opole (Polish: Władysław Opolczyk, German: Władysław von Oppeln; b. ca. 1332 - d. 18 May 1401), was a Duke of Opole from 1356 (only formally from 1396), Count palatine of Hungary during 1367-1372, ruler over Lubliniec since 1368, Duke of Wieluń during 1370-1392, ruler over Bolesławiec from 1370 (only for his life), Governor of Galicia–Volhynia during 1372–1378, ruler over Pszczyna during 1375-1396, Count palatine of Poland in 1378, ruler over Karniów during 1378-1392, Duke of Dobrzyń and Kujawy during 1378–1382 (as a Polish vassal) and ruler over Głogówek from 1383.

He was the eldest son of Duke Bolko II of Opole by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica.

Life

Early Years

Little is known about Władysław's first years. As a young prince and in order to gain more political experience, he went to Hungary around 1353, where he probably remained until the death of his father in 1356.

Duke of Opole

After Duke Bolko II's death, Władysław and his brothers Bolko III and Henry inherited Opole as co-rulers; however, the strong personality of Władysław soon dominated the whole government and encourage his brothers to accept a modest part of their inheritance. Bolko III and Henry remained as co-Dukes of Opole, but only formally.

Cooperation with King Louis I of Hungary

The great political career of Władysław began in the mid 1360s in the Hungarian court of King Louis I. Already in 1364 he took part in the famous Congress of Kraków as part of the Hungarian suite. However, the most important mission of Władysław on behalf of King Louis took place two years later (in 1366), when he negotiated the terms of a treaty between the Hungarian ruler and King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia.

The faithful service to the Hungarian House of Anjou resulted in the appointment of Władysław as Count palatine, which made him most important man after the King in the country. The functions of this post were primarily broad judicial powers, who could be had only with the King. In this office, Władysław showed great commitment and capability; he created the rule of four Congregatio generalis, which handled court cases. Despite his huge income, his nw post in the Hungarian court affect the finances of the Duke of Opole, as is palatynowi granted him two-thirds of the fees paid by applicants, as well as penalties zasądzanych by the court.

The death of Casimir III the Great. Homage to the Kingdom of Poland

During his time as Count palatine, Władysław didn't stop to participated in the foreign politics; the example of this was, among others things, his trip to Bulgaria in 1368. In 1370, after the death of Casimir III the Great, the Duke of Opole actively participated in preparing the succession of King Louis I of Hungary in the Polish throne. As a reward, King Louis give him the towns of Wieluń and Częstochowa.

By that time, Władysław's brother Bolko III inherited Strzelce Opolskie from their uncle Albert and with this, the Duke of Opole could mantain the sole government over his domains (the youngest brother, Henry, died in 1365 without issue).

In 1371 Władysław led an armed expedition against King John of Bohemia (who caused a terrible devastation of Moravia); however, this didn't prevent the fact, that, years later later, the Duke of Opole was the head of a mission of mediation to resolve the dispute between the Emperor Charles IV and King Louis I.

Governor of Galicia–Volhynia

In October 1372 Władysław was unexpectedly deprived from the office of Count palatine. Although he retained most of his castles and goods in Hungary, his political influence was significantly decreased. As a compensation, was made Governor of the Hungarian Galicia–Volhynia (Red Ruthenia). In this new position, the Duke of Opole successfully contributing to the economic development of the territories entrusted to him. Władysław mainly resided in Lwów, but at the end of his rule he spent more time in Halicz. The only serious conflict during his time as Governor was related to his approaching to the Russian Ortodox Church, which caused the angry of the local boyards, who were strongly catholics.

Probably following Władysław's advices, in 1374 King Louis I published an earthly privilege for the nobility in Koszyce, which ensured the succession of the King's daughters after his death.