Bolesław V the Chaste facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bolesław V the Chaste
Bolesław's effigy on a seal
High Duke of Poland
Reign	1243–1279
Predecessor	Konrad I of Masovia
Successor	Leszek II the Black
Duke of Sandomierz
Reign	1227–1230 1232–1279
Predecessor	Boleslaus I of Masovia
Successor	Leszek II the Black
Born	21 June 1226 Stary Korczyn
Died	7 December 1279(1279-12-07) (aged 53) Kraków
Burial	Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Kraków
Spouse	Kinga of Poland
House	House of Piast
Father	Leszek I the White
Mother	Grzymisława
Religion	Roman Catholic

Bolesław V the Chaste (in Polish: Bolesław Wstydliwy; born June 21, 1226 – died December 7, 1279) was an important Polish ruler. He was the Duke of Sandomierz in Lesser Poland from 1232 and the High Duke of Poland from 1243 until his death. He was the last male ruler from the Lesser Polish branch of the Piasts, a very old Polish ruling family.

Who Was Bolesław V the Chaste?

His Birth and Special Nickname

Bolesław V was born on June 21, 1226, in Stary Korczyn. He was the only son of Leszek I the White and his wife, Grzymisława.

He was named after his great-grandfather, Bolesław Wrymouth. People started calling him "the Chaste" (Pudicus in Latin) quite early. This nickname came from a special promise he and his wife, Kinga of Hungary, made together. They both promised to live a very pure life. Because of this, their marriage was never physically intimate.

Bolesław's Early Life

When His Father Died

On November 24, 1227, Bolesław's father, Leszek the White, was killed during a meeting called the Congress of Gąsawa. Bolesław was very young when he lost his father, just like his father and grandfather before him.

After his father's death, many people wanted to take care of young Bolesław and rule his lands. His mother, Duchess Grzymisława, wanted to rule with the help of local leaders. However, a treaty from 1217 said that if one ruler died, the other would take over their lands and care for their young children. This meant Władysław III Spindleshanks had a claim.

Konrad I of Masovia, Bolesław's uncle, also wanted to be his guardian. He tried to take control of Kraków, but the local nobles preferred Władysław III. Władysław III was busy fighting his own nephew, so he couldn't come to Kraków right away.

Being Adopted by Władysław Spindleshanks

In May 1228, a meeting was held where Władysław Spindleshanks agreed to adopt Bolesław V. This meant Bolesław would be Władysław's heir for Kraków and Greater Poland. After this, Władysław came to Kraków, and Grzymisława officially gave him control of the city. Bolesław and his mother received the Duchy of Sandomierz, where Grzymisława ruled for her son.

Soon after, Władysław Spindleshanks had to leave Kraków to fight in Greater Poland. The local nobles then invited Henry the Bearded to rule Kraków as a governor. Konrad I of Masovia attacked Kraków but was defeated. A year later, Konrad I captured Henry the Bearded and took over some lands, including Sandomierz, forcing Grzymisława out of power. Władysław Spindleshanks tried to get his lands back but failed and died in 1231.

Władysław's will said that Henry the Bearded should inherit Kraków and Greater Poland. In 1231, Henry also gained control of Sandomierz from Grzymisława, who was worried about her son's future. Henry fought Konrad for Lesser Poland and finally gained control of it by late 1232.

Being Imprisoned by Konrad I of Masovia

In 1233, Konrad I of Masovia captured Bolesław V and his mother, Grzymisława. They were treated very badly and imprisoned in different places.

Henry the Bearded decided to rescue them. Bolesław and his mother managed to escape from a monastery with the help of some loyal knights. The guards were busy drinking and didn't notice them leaving in disguise. For safety, Henry the Bearded hid them in a strong fortress.

After their escape, Grzymisława gave up Bolesław's rights to Kraków to Henry for his safety. In 1234, a war started between Henry and Konrad. They signed a peace treaty, where Bolesław received Sandomierz. However, Konrad soon invaded Sandomierz again, and Bolesław lost some land.

Henry the Bearded died in 1238, and his son, Henry the Pious, took over as Bolesław's guardian and ruler of Sandomierz. In 1239, 13-year-old Bolesław met his future wife, 15-year-old Kinga, daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary. They married soon after. Kinga lived with Bolesław's mother in Sandomierz. Around this time, Bolesław also met Konrad, who agreed to give up his claims to Sandomierz. This is when Bolesław started to rule on his own.

The Fall of Kraków

In 1241, the first Mongol invasion of Poland happened. The Mongols attacked and destroyed many cities, including Sandomierz. Bolesław, his mother, and his wife fled to Hungary for safety.

On April 9, 1241, High Duke Henry II the Pious was killed in the Battle of Legnica. After this, Konrad I of Masovia took control of Kraków in July 1241. However, Konrad was not popular with the local nobles. In 1243, they chose Bolesław the Chaste as their new ruler. On May 25, Bolesław's troops defeated Konrad's army, and Bolesław regained control of Kraków. At 17, he became the High Duke of Poland, though his mother still had a lot of influence. Konrad tried to get Kraków back but was defeated again.

Bolesław's Reign

Fighting with Konrad

Konrad I of Masovia kept trying to become the High Duke of Poland until he died. In 1246, he attacked Lesser Poland again with his son. Bolesław's troops were defeated in one battle, and he lost some land. Bolesław even had to use some of his wife Kinga's property to pay for the war. He later got his land back. Konrad died in August 1247, but his son continued the fight.

Bolesław also helped free Siemowit I of Masovia and his wife, who were captured by Konrad's son. Later, Bolesław joined other dukes in a war against Konrad's son, Casimir. They raided Casimir's lands, and a peace treaty was signed in 1259.

Working with Hungary

Bolesław the Chaste and Bolesław the Pious were both allies of the Kingdom of Hungary. This was probably because their wives were sisters, both daughters of King Béla IV of Hungary. In 1245, they supported a Hungarian candidate for the throne of Halych, but their troops were defeated.

In 1253, Polish and Russian forces, including Bolesław's army, helped Hungary in a war against Ottokar II of Bohemia. The war didn't achieve much, but the Polish-Russian army looted some villages. The conflict ended with a treaty.

In 1260, another conflict started between Hungary and Bohemia. Bolesław helped the Hungarians with his troops, but the Hungarian army was defeated.

Later, King Béla IV of Hungary had a conflict with his own son, Stephen, leading to a civil war. In 1266, Bolesław and Kinga helped arrange a meeting where Stephen promised to keep peace with his father and other rulers.

In 1270, the new Hungarian King, Stephen V of Hungary, visited Bolesław in Kraków, and they signed a lasting peace treaty. Stephen V then renewed the war against Bohemia, but Hungary was defeated. Bolesław later made peace with Bohemia in 1277. He also supported Hungary in a big battle in 1278, where the Bohemian king was defeated and killed.

Christianizing the Yotvingians

One of Bolesław's goals was to help the Christianization of the Yotvingians, a pagan tribe. He organized expeditions against them, but they often failed.

The Yotvingians invaded Lesser Poland several times. In 1264, Bolesław led a successful attack against them. He also tried to create a bishopric (a church area led by a bishop) to help convert them, with support from his sister and the Pope. However, this mission did not succeed.

Second Mongol Invasion

In 1253, Bolesław had good relations with Prince Daniel of Galicia. Daniel even visited Kraków, and Bolesław supported his coronation. However, the second Mongol invasion of Poland changed these plans.

In November 1259, the Mongols and their allies invaded and destroyed Sandomierz, Lublin, and Kraków. Bolesław fled to safety. In February 1260, the Mongols left, and Bolesław returned to his lands. His relations with Daniel of Galicia improved, and they signed a treaty.

After Daniel's death in 1265, a Lithuanian-Russian army invaded Lesser Poland. Bolesław fought against Daniel's son and brother, who helped the Lithuanians. The conflict ended in 1266.

Later, in 1273 and 1278, the Lithuanians invaded Lublin again.

Adopting Leszek the Black

Since Bolesław and Kinga had made a vow of purity, they did not have children. In 1265, Bolesław adopted Leszek the Black as his heir.

In 1273, Władysław Opolski attacked Kraków because he didn't accept Leszek's adoption. Bolesław's army defeated him. Bolesław then attacked Władysław's lands. In 1274, Władysław and Bolesław made peace, and Władysław gave up his claim to the throne of Kraków.

Changes Inside Poland

Bolesław V cared a lot about developing cities. He gave special rights to the city of Bochnia in 1253. In 1257, he granted Magdeburg rights to Kraków, which meant the city could govern itself more freely and develop economically. Other cities like Nowy Korczyn, Skaryszew, and Jędrzejów also received these rights. This new German-style law helped the region recover quickly after the Mongol raids.

He also improved the management of the salt mines in Bochnia and Wieliczka. In 1251, new salt deposits were found in Bochnia. Bolesław encouraged salt mining, which became a very important source of income for his lands.

Bolesław also supported the Church, especially the Bishopric of Kraków. In 1245, a Poor Clare monastery was founded. He granted special privileges to the Bishopric, giving the clergy more freedom in economic and legal matters. In 1253, thanks to Bolesław's efforts, Stanisław (Stanislaus) of Szczepanów was made a saint by the Pope. Celebrations were held in Kraków in 1254, attended by many Polish princes. Bolesław also invited the Franciscans to Kraków around 1258.

Bolesław's Death

A copy of Bolesław's tombstone at the Little Market Square in Kraków .

Bolesław the Chaste died on December 7, 1279. People were very sad about his death, not just in Poland but also in neighboring countries, because he was known for his modesty and dignity.

His funeral took place three days later, on December 10. He was buried in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Kraków.

After her husband's death, Kinga joined a Poor Clares convent. As they had agreed, Leszek II the Black inherited Kraków and Sandomierz.

Church Buildings

In 1263, Bolesław founded a church in Kraków dedicated to Mark the Evangelist. It was built in the Gothic style.

See also

• History of Poland (966–1385)