Bolesław I the Tall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bolesław I the Tall
Duke of Wroclaw
Bolesław's tomb in Lubiąż
Born	1127
Died	7 or 8 December 1201 Leśnica (now part of City of Wrocław)
Buried	Cistercian monastery in Lubiąż
Noble family	Silesian Piasts
Spouse(s)	Zvenislava of Kiev Christina
Issue	Jarosław, Duke of Opole Henry the Bearded Adelaida Zbyslava
Father	Władysław II the Exile
Mother	Agnes of Babenberg

Bolesław I the Tall (Polish: Bolesław I Wysoki; 1127 – 7 or 8 December 1201) was a powerful ruler. He was the Duke of Wroclaw from 1163 until he passed away in 1201. Bolesław was a key figure in the history of Silesia. He worked hard to bring his family back to power. He also helped develop his lands.

Early Life and Family Challenges

Bolesław was the oldest son of Władysław II the Exile. His mother was Agnes of Babenberg. She was related to King Conrad III of Germany. Bolesław spent his early years in Płock. This was at the court of his grandfather, Bolesław III Wrymouth.

After his grandfather died in 1138, Bolesław moved to Kraków. His father became the High Duke of Poland. But his father's rule was very difficult. There were many conflicts with his half-brothers. His mother, Agnes, believed her husband should rule all of Poland. She thought he was the rightful sole ruler.

However, his stepmother, Salomea of Berg, wanted her own sons to rule. She tried to make alliances with other rulers. She feared her sons would lose their positions. This was to make way for Bolesław and his brothers. These brothers were Mieszko I Tanglefoot and Konrad Spindleshanks.

The family conflict grew in 1141. Salomea tried to arrange a marriage for her daughter. This was without the High Duke's knowledge. But Władysław II acted faster. He arranged for Bolesław to marry Zvenislava of Kiev in 1142. She was the daughter of Grand Prince Vsevolod II Olgovich of Kiev. This created an important alliance.

Exile and Attempts to Return

The alliance with Kiev helped Władysław II. He fought against his half-brothers. He was confident he would win. He even sent Bolesław to help Grand Prince Vsevolod II. This was during a revolt in Kiev.

But Bolesław's trip ended badly. The Grand Prince died. This caused confusion in Kiev. Bolesław had to rush back to Poland in 1146. He tried to help his father. But his small army was not enough. His father was defeated by the younger dukes. Władysław II and his family had to flee. They went to Prague first. Then they moved to Germany.

In Germany, King Conrad III of Germany helped them. He was Bolesław's uncle. He offered them a place to stay. He also promised to help them return to Poland. At first, it seemed they would be back soon. But their attempt to return failed. There was strong opposition in Poland. Also, King Conrad III had his own problems.

The king gave Władysław II and his family the town of Altenburg. This was meant to be a temporary home. But Władysław II lived there for the rest of his life.

Bolesław did not like living in Altenburg. He joined King Conrad III's court. He became involved in German politics. In 1148, he joined the Second Crusade. He traveled to Constantinople and the Holy Land. King Conrad III died in 1152. He had not been able to help Władysław II return.

The new German ruler was Frederick Barbarossa. Bolesław quickly joined his service. Barbarossa first went to Rome to be crowned emperor. Bolesław went with him.

Return to Silesia

In 1157, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa finally led an expedition against Poland. It is not clear if Bolesław joined this fight. The emperor won the military victory. High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly had to submit to Barbarossa. But the emperor decided not to restore Władysław II to the throne. Instead, he let Bolesław IV continue to rule. Władysław II died in exile in 1159.

Bolesław was disappointed. But he stayed loyal to the emperor. He fought in many of Barbarossa's wars. From 1158 to 1162, he fought in Italy. He became famous after winning a duel in Milan.

Bolesław's loyalty was finally rewarded in 1163. Barbarossa used diplomacy to help Bolesław. He helped Bolesław and his brothers get their lands back. These were the lands of Silesia. An agreement was signed in Nuremberg. Bolesław IV agreed to let the exiled princes return. He did this because Bolesław's family could not challenge him directly. Also, it pleased Barbarossa.

However, Bolesław IV kept control of major Silesian cities. These included Wroclaw, Opole, Racibórz, Głogów, and Legnica.

After almost 16 years, Bolesław returned to Silesia. He came with his second wife, Christina. His first wife, Zvenislava, had died. He also brought his older children, Jarosław and Olga. His younger brother, Mieszko Tanglefoot, also returned. Their youngest brother, Konrad, stayed in Germany.

Ruling Silesia and Family Conflicts

Bolesław and Mieszko first ruled Silesia together. In 1165, they took back the major cities. They gained full control of Silesia. As the oldest brother, Bolesław had the most power. Three years later, Bolesław felt strong. He led an expedition against High Duke Bolesław IV. He wanted to regain power over all of Poland.

Silesia divided into smaller duchies (1172–1177).
     Bolesław I the Tall
     Jarosław Opolski
     Mieszko I Tanglefoot

Bolesław's strong rule caused problems. His younger brother Mieszko Tanglefoot rebelled in 1172. Mieszko supported Bolesław's oldest son, Jarosław. Jarosław was upset with his father. He had been forced to become a priest. This was because his stepmother, Christina, wanted her own sons to inherit.

Bolesław was surprised by the rebellion. He had to escape to Erfurt, Germany. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa decided to help Bolesław. He sent a strong army to restore him. Eventually, Mieszko III the Old helped calm the emperor. He paid Barbarossa a large sum of silver. He also promised Bolesław would be restored.

Bolesław returned home in 1173. He made peace with his brother and son. But he had to divide Silesia. He gave Racibórz to Mieszko. He gave Opole to Jarosław.

Four years later, Bolesław tried again to become High Duke. He teamed up with his uncle Casimir II the Just. He also allied with his cousin Odon. They wanted to remove Mieszko III the Old from power. This plan gained support in Lesser Poland and Greater Poland.

However, Bolesław was suddenly defeated. His brother Mieszko and son Jarosław had allied with Mieszko III. This allowed Casimir II to become High Duke. Bolesław had to escape to Germany again. Casimir II helped Bolesław return to his duchy in 1177. But Bolesław had to give Głogów to his youngest brother Konrad.

Later Years and Legacy

After these defeats, Bolesław focused on his own duchy. He stopped trying to gain more power in Poland. In 1190, his brother Konrad died without children. This meant Głogów returned to Bolesław's lands.

In his final years, Bolesław focused on business and development. He encouraged people to settle in his duchy. Many came from German areas. This helped the economy grow quickly. His son, Henry I the Bearded, continued this work.

Bolesław also founded a Cistercian Abbatia Lubensis abbey in Lubiąż. Monks from Germany helped him. This abbey later became the burial place for Silesian dukes.

To protect his lands, Bolesław got a special document. It was a protective bull from Pope Innocent III in 1198. This helped keep his lands safe from other princes.

Bolesław also made peace with his oldest son, Jarosław. Jarosław became the bishop of Wrocław. When Jarosław died in March 1201, Bolesław inherited Opole. This reunited Opole with his other lands.

Bolesław died only nine months after his son. He passed away on December 7 or 8, 1201. He was buried in the Lubiąż Cistercian monastery he had founded.

Family and Children

Bolesław had two wives and many children.

In 1142, Bolesław married his first wife, Zvenislava of Kiev. She died around 1155. They had two children:

• Jarosław (born after 1143 – died March 22, 1201)
• Olga (born around 1155 – died June 27, between 1175 and 1180)

By 1157, Bolesław married his second wife, Christina. She was from Germany. She died between 1204 and 1208. They had seven children:

• Boleslaw (born between 1157 and 1163 – died July 18, between 1175 and 1181)
• Adelaida Zbyslava (born after 1165 – died March 29, after 1213). She married Děpolt III.
• Konrad (born between 1158 and 1168 – died July 5, between 1175 and 1190)
• Jan (born between 1161 and 1169 – died before March 10, 1174)
• Berta (born around 1167 – died May 7, after 1200?)
• Henry I the Bearded (born between 1165 and 1170 – died March 19, 1238)
• Władysław (born after 1180 – died June 4, before 1199)

See also

• Piast Dynasty
• Silesian Piasts
• Dukes of Silesia
• History of Silesia

Images for kids

• 

  Bolesław's tomb in Lubiąż

Sources