Bolesław the Pious facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bolesław the Pious
Seal of Bolesław the Pious, 1258
Born	between 1224 and 1227
Died	(1279-04-14)14 April 1279 Kalisz
Buried	Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, Poznań
Noble family	House of Piast
Spouse(s)	Jolenta of Poland
Issue	Elisabeth Jadwiga Anna
Father	Władysław Odonic
Mother	Jadwiga

Bolesław the Pious (born between 1224 and 1227, died April 14, 1279) was an important Duke in Greater Poland. He ruled different parts of this region at various times. He was known for his wise decisions and for helping his people.

Bolesław was the second son of Duke Władysław Odonic and his wife, Jadwiga. His name, Bolesław, was very common in the Piast dynasty, which was the ruling family of Poland. People called him "the Pious" because he was known for his strong faith and good deeds. This nickname was given to him while he was still alive. In 1264, Bolesław created a special law that protected the Jews living in Greater Poland.

Early Life and Becoming a Duke

Bolesław grew up during a time when his father was fighting for his lands. Even with these challenges, Bolesław and his older brother, Przemysł I, learned to read and write Latin. This was quite unusual for the time.

When Bolesław's father died in 1239, Bolesław was still young. So, his older brother Przemysł I ruled alone at first. The brothers worked together to get back the lands their father had lost. By 1243, they had regained most of the Duchies of Poznań and Gniezno. They also got back Kalisz in 1244 and Wieluń in 1249.

In 1245, Przemysł I officially recognized Bolesław as an adult. He knighted him in a special ceremony.

Sharing Power with His Brother

Bolesław wanted to rule his own territory. In 1247, he convinced his brother Przemysł I to give him the Duchy of Kalisz. This area was between the Prosna River and Odra River. Even though he had his own land, Bolesław still let his brother handle most of the foreign policy.

In 1249, Bolesław was still not happy with his brother's control. He asked for a new division of their lands. This time, he received the Duchies of Kalisz and Gniezno, plus Wieluń. This division seemed peaceful at first.

However, in 1250, something unexpected happened. Przemysł I captured Bolesław and took all his lands and castles. Bolesław was held prisoner until 1253. He was freed thanks to the powerful church leaders in Greater Poland. The brothers finally made peace in May 1253. Bolesław got his Duchy of Kalisz-Gniezno back. After this, they worked together without major problems.

In 1254, Bolesław joined other Polish princes in Kraków. They met to honor St. Stanislaus and decided to form an alliance against Swantopolk II, Duke of Pomerania.

Bolesław Becomes Sole Ruler

On June 4, 1257, Przemysł I died when he was only 36 years old. This meant Bolesław became the only ruler of all Greater Poland. Przemysł I's son, Przemysł II, was born later that year. Bolesław became his guardian until he grew up.

One of Bolesław's first big moves as sole ruler was to marry Princess Jolenta (Helena) in 1258. She was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary. This marriage created a strong friendship between Bolesław and Hungary.

Dealing with Other Rulers

From 1258 to 1261, Bolesław fought a long war against Casimir I of Kuyavia and his ally, Swantopolk II. Bolesław won this war, and the land of Ladzka returned to Greater Poland.

In 1262, Duke Siemowit I of Masovia was killed, and his son, Konrad II, was captured. Since Konrad II and his younger brother were too young to rule, Bolesław became the regent (a temporary ruler) of their lands. He managed the Duchies of Masovia, Płock, and Czersk for two years until Konrad II was freed in 1264.

Bolesław also got involved in the affairs of Kuyavia again in 1268. Duke Ziemomysł of Inowrocław was making friends with the Teutonic Order, which made his own people unhappy. They asked Bolesław for help. Bolesław took control of some of Ziemomysł's lands. In 1271, Bolesław invaded Inowrocław and forced Ziemomysł to leave. Bolesław kept the Duchy until 1273, when he gave it to Ziemomysł's brother, Leszek II the Black.

Fighting Brandenburg

Bolesław had a complicated relationship with the Margraviate of Brandenburg, a powerful neighbor. His brother Przemysł I had even arranged for his daughter, Constance, to marry a Brandenburg prince. As a wedding gift, Brandenburg received the area of Santok in 1260.

However, this peace did not last long. In 1265, Brandenburg took the main city of Santok. Bolesław quickly made a new agreement. But in 1269, war broke out again. Bolesław successfully defended his lands and even attacked Brandenburg, burning some of their fortresses.

The war continued. In 1271, Bolesław led a large army against Santok and Neumark, causing a lot of damage. He couldn't get back all the lost lands, though.

In 1272, Bolesław formed an alliance with Mestwin II, Duke of Pomerania-Gdańsk. The last major fight against Brandenburg during Bolesław's life happened in 1278. Greater Poland's troops advanced to Myślibórz and finally got Santok back.

Important Decisions at Home

Bolesław continued the good policies of his brother. He kept the nobles appointed by Przemysł I in their positions. He also worked hard to have good relations with the Church. He was very generous to the clergy. For example, he allowed the Franciscans to build a monastery in Gniezno in 1259.

One of Bolesław's most important actions was on August 16, 1264. He granted the first written privilege to the Jews of Greater Poland. This law, called the Statute of Kalisz, set rules for how Jewish people were treated in court and how they could do business. This fair law became a model for Jewish rights in Poland for many years.

Later Years and Family

In 1273, after a successful fight against Brandenburg, Bolesław's young nephew, Przemysł II, wanted his own Duchy. Bolesław agreed and gave him the district of Poznań. To strengthen their bond, Bolesław arranged for Przemysł II to marry Ludgarda, a princess from Mecklenburg.

Bolesław the Pious died on April 14, 1279, in Kalisz. He was buried in the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznań.

Marriage and Issue

In 1258, Bolesław married Jolenta (Helena). She was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary. They had three daughters:

• Elisabeth (born 1261/63 – died September 1304), who married Henry V, Duke of Legnica in 1273.
• Jadwiga (born 1270/75 – died December 10, 1339), who married Władysław I the Elbow-high in 1293. He later became King of Poland.
• Anna (born 1276/78 – died before 1300), who became a nun in Gniezno.

Bolesław had no sons, so after he died, all of Greater Poland passed to his nephew, Przemysł II. Przemysł II was crowned King of Poland in 1295 but was sadly murdered the next year. With his death, the Piast family line in Greater Poland ended.