Jan Kropidło

Jan Kropidło (Polish: Jan Kropidło; b. 1360/64 - d. 3 March 1421), was a Duke of Strzelce during 1382-1396, Duke of Opole since 1396 (only formally), Bishop of Poznań during 1382-1384, Bishop of Włocławek during 1384-1389, nominate Archbishop of Gniezno during 1389-1394, Bishop of Kamień during 1394-1398, Bishop of Chełmno during 1398-1402, and again Bishop of Włocławek from 1402 until his death.

He was the eldest son of Duke Bolko III of Strzelce by his wife Anna, probably daughter of Duke Jan I of Oświęcim.

Jan's nickname "Kropidło" means aspergillum - an instrunent used to sprinkle holy water, in alusion to his Church career. However, in the biography of Jan in the book "Piastowie-Leksykon Biograficzny" wrote that he received this nickname due to his thick hair.

Life

For unknown reasons, although he was the eldest male of four siblings, since his early years was destined to the Church. His rapid ascent in the ecclesiastic career was largely due to his uncle, Władysław Opolczyk, who aided Jan as a guardian of his minor brothers when their father Bolko III died in 1382 and all inherited Strzelce as co-rulers.

With the support of his uncle (then Count palatine of Hungary) already in 1379 he was named Provost of the Spisz Chapter, who give him a significant revenue. Despite his new duties, Jan would study Law and Theology in Prague and Bologna.

In 1382 Jan returned to Silesia, where, thanks to the support of King Louis I of Hungary and Poland, he was appointed Bishop of Poznań. Jan remained in this office only two years, because in 1384 he received the more profitable Bishopric of Włocławek.

In 1388, the death of Archbishop Bodzanta give to Jan the opportunity to obtain a more politically and important position: the Archbishopric of Gniezno. Despite the Papal consent, Jan never could took place the title an goods of the Archbishopric. The decisive objection was made by the new Polish King, Władysław II Jagiełło, who, at that was involved in a bitter dispute with Władysław Opolczyk, preferred not accepted the nomination of the nephew of his enemy to the most important position in the Church of Poland, who could be place him in a risky position. The fact that Jan originally didn't want to combine forces with his uncle doesn't count. The dispute over the Archbishopric lasted until 1394, when Jan, unable to obtain the recognition of the King, finally resigned. The period of struggle for the Archbishopric, was probably the heaviest in Jan's life, and severely affected his finances.

Soon after, Jan obtain the post of Bishop of Kamień. Revenue diocese were negligible, and therefore the wystarał at the pope the right to reap revenue from goods Poznan bishopric. And this time the opposition Wladyslaw Jagiello prevented him extending rich benefice. In 1398 has been moved to a more majętne bishopric chełmiński lying entirely within the Teutonic Order. In 1399 traveling in Poland przebraniu Bishop stopped in Kalisz people Wladyslaw Jagiello forcing him to submit the oath of loyalty.

In 1401 uncle John died opolski prince Władysław, giving a final reconciliation of the Polish king, with an ambitious bishop on the back and include the position of bishop in Wloclawek. This time, John has remained a bishop Kujawskim to his death. The hierarchy in Włocławek should not have been the easiest, mainly due to the position of the diocese in the two countries against the Teutonic Order and Poland. Particular difficulties in the exercise of the dignity of bishop nastręczał fact of belonging to the Diocese of Gdańsk Pomerania, which was very inconvenient for the Order, who did whatever I could to prevent the normal John governments. This resulted in an increasing willingness to cooperate with Poland Kropidły, particularly as revealed in the great wars of the Teutonic Order in 1410, when thanks to the mediation of Bishop Gdańszczanie homage by the king.

What is a conflict on the Polish side has brought in 1411 on Prince opolskiemu Rajców imprisonment by the city of Wroclaw, who are subject to the crown as the Czech or ally order, they decided to neutralize the activities of the bishop. Jan regained freedom after three months as a result of personal intervention of the Hungarian king Sigismund Luksemburczyka. Wroclaw Rajcy were forced into humiliating apology ceremony. In general the relationship with John Luksemburgami układały is even wzorcowo (and also in spite of good relations after 1401, with Jagiello, Sigismund rather too friendly to not using it), which soon brought a new source of revenue bishop of the abbey and Szekszard Pannonhalma.

In the years 1415 - 1417 Jan aspergillum took part in the council in Constance with a great finish Schism in the Church Catholic. Stay on Jan council has used to obtain from the Teutonic Knights, thanks to the influence of the Curia and the support of the Polish delegation, guarantee the inviolability of the Pomeranian bishopric of Gdansk. Another thought on the matter done to punish the bishop of Wroclaw for the unlawful imprisonment of a few years earlier.

As Bishop John włocławski aspergillum was an excellent manager and the governments of the bishopric revenues have increased significantly. He was also to raise the level of the diocese, which had, inter alia, służyć budowa wspaniałej katedry. to build a magnificent cathedral.

Prince-Bishop died on 3 March 1421 in Opole, who wrote a will in a significant amount of money, so the city could be thoroughly refurbished. Został pochowany w opolskim kościele dominikanów . He was buried in the church Opolskie Dominican. Throughout life, church, despite their positions, using the title of first John Prince Strzelecki, then Opolskie. Many also gave approval for major policy moves younger brothers and then bratanków. It was certainly a colorful and very original character, but his manners are not enough light to the end of licowały to the severity of piastowanych church. This gave rise to the evolution of a certain John as a politician - a political brawler who make everything to raise her income to her husband stubbornly fighting the state for reasons of its bishopric on the council of Constance (even if in this case fought on the occasion of its revenue).