Constance of Greater Poland facts for kids

Constance of Greater Poland (also known as Constance of Poznań) was a princess from the House of Piast, a powerful family in Poland. She was born around 1245 or 1246 and passed away on October 8, 1281. Through her marriage, she became a Margravine of Brandenburg-Stendal.

Constance was the oldest daughter of Przemysł I, who was the Duke of Greater Poland and Poznań. Her mother was Elisabeth. Constance was likely named after her aunt, also called Constance.

Life of Constance

Engagement and Marriage

In 1255, Constance became engaged to Conrad. He was the son of John I, the Margrave of Brandenburg. They needed special permission from Pope Alexander IV to marry. This was because Constance and Conrad were distantly related.

This marriage was very important for political reasons. Constance's father, Duke Przemysł I, and his brother, Bolesław the Pious, wanted to improve relations with Brandenburg. Brandenburg was a growing and powerful neighbor that had become a threat to Greater Poland in the 1250s.

Constance and Conrad officially married in 1260. The wedding took place in the border town of Santok. As part of her marriage agreement, Constance brought a special gift called a "dowry" to her husband. This dowry included the area around Santok, but the main city itself stayed with Greater Poland. This was agreed upon in Poznań on July 1, 1260.

Family and Challenges

Constance and Conrad had four children together. Their three sons were John IV, Otto VII, and Waldemar. They also had a daughter named Agnes. Agnes later married Albert I, who was a Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst.

However, the marriage between Constance and Conrad did not bring lasting peace. By 1265, Brandenburg and Greater Poland were fighting over Santok again. Brandenburg had taken control of the main city. The fighting continued on and off until 1278. In that year, Greater Poland finally got back all the lands it had lost.

Becoming Margravine

Conrad's father, Margrave John I, died on April 4, 1266. After his death, Brandenburg was split into two parts. One part was called Brandenburg-Salzwedel, and the other was Brandenburg-Stendal. Conrad became a co-ruler of Brandenburg-Stendal.

Because all the sons of John I shared the title of Margrave, Constance became a Margravine. She was known as the Margravine consort of Brandenburg-Stendal.

Later Life and Legacy

Constance passed away on October 8, 1281. She was buried in a Cistercian monastery in Chorin. Her husband, Conrad, never married again after her death. He lived until 1304.

Constance's only descendants came through her daughter, Agnes. Through Agnes, Constance became an ancestor of important historical figures, including Catherine II the Great of Russia.