Konrad I of Masovia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Konrad I |
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| High Duke of Poland | |
| Reign | 1229–1232 |
| Predecessor | Władysław III Spindleshanks |
| Successor | Henry I the Bearded |
| Reign | 1241–1243 |
| Predecessor | Bolesław II Rogatka |
| Successor | Bolesław V the Chaste |
| Duke of Masovia | |
| Reign | 1194–1247 |
| Predecessor | Casimir II the Just Helen of Znojmo (regent) |
| Successor | Boleslaus I |
| Born | c. 1187/88 |
| Died | 31 August 1247 |
| Spouse | Agafia of Rus |
| Issue | Boleslaus I of Masovia Casimir I of Kuyavia Siemowit I of Masovia |
| House | House of Piast |
| Father | Casimir II the Just |
| Mother | Helen of Znojmo |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Konrad I of Masovia (born around 1187/88 – died August 31, 1247) was an important Polish ruler from the Piast dynasty. He was the Duke of Masovia and Kuyavia from 1194 until he died. He also held the title of High Duke of Poland twice: from 1229 to 1232, and again from 1241 to 1243.
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Konrad's Early Life
Konrad was the youngest son of Casimir II the Just, who was the High Duke of Poland. His mother was Helen of Znojmo. She was the daughter of Duke Conrad II of Znojmo from the Přemyslid dynasty.
After his father died in 1194, Konrad was raised by his mother. She ruled Masovia for him until he was old enough. In 1199, he officially became the Duke of Masovia. In 1205, he also gained control of the nearby lands of Kuyavia.
In 1205, Konrad and his brother, Duke Leszek I the White, won a big battle. It was called the Battle of Zawichost. They fought against Prince Roman the Great of Galicia–Volhynia. Roman's army was defeated, and he was killed. Later, Konrad married a princess named Agafia of Rus.
Attempts to Conquer Prussia
Konrad wanted to make his lands bigger. So, he tried to conquer the lands of Chełmno in Prussia. These lands were home to pagan tribes. In 1209, he led a crusade there, with permission from Pope Innocent III. But he was not successful.
In 1215, a monk named Christian of Oliva became a missionary bishop for the Old Prussians. His home in Chełmno was destroyed by Prussian forces the next year. Konrad tried to conquer Prussia again in 1219 and 1222, but these attempts also failed. Instead, he ended up in a long border fight with the Prussian tribes.
The Prussians fought back against Konrad's efforts. They raided his lands in Masovia. They even threatened his castle in Płock. Konrad needed to protect the northern part of his Duchy of Masovia from these constant attacks.
The Teutonic Knights Arrive
To deal with the constant raids, Konrad invited a religious military order called the Teutonic Knights in 1226. These knights were known for fighting non-Christian groups. They had previously helped the Kingdom of Hungary fight the Cuman people.
The leader of the Teutonic Knights, Herman of Salza, wanted to make sure his Order had clear rights. He wanted a deal with Konrad that would be approved by the Holy Roman Emperor and the Roman Curia (the Pope's administration).
In March 1226, Emperor Frederick II issued an important document. It was called the Golden Bull of Rimini. This document said that Konrad had promised the Teutonic Knights the land of Chełmno. This was so they could conquer Prussia for God. The Emperor also stated that Prussia was under the rule of the Empire. He gave the land of Prussia to the Knights.
The Knights were still not fully convinced to fight the Prussians. So, in 1228, Konrad created a new order called the Loyal Order of Dobrzyń. He then called for another Prussian Crusade, but he was defeated again.
To stop the Prussians from invading, Konrad supposedly signed the Treaty of Kruszwica in 1230. This treaty would have given Chełmno Land to the Teutonic Knights and the Order of Dobrzyń. This agreement would have created the start of the State of the Teutonic Order. However, the original document for this treaty does not exist. Many historians believe it was never signed and that the Knights might have made it up later.
The Knights, led by Hermann Balk, crossed the Vistula river. They conquered Chełmno Land and built the castle of Toruń in 1231. In 1234, Pope Gregory IX issued another important document, the Golden Bull of Rieti. This document confirmed the Knights' land was only under the Pope's authority, not anyone else's. In 1237, Konrad tried to take back some of the Order's lands.
Becoming High Duke
Konrad was also involved in a fight for control of the Polish Seniorate Province. This was a special area in Poland. He was fighting his cousin, Duke Władysław III Spindleshanks. Konrad became the High Duke of Poland in 1229.
However, another relative, Duke Henry I the Bearded from Silesia, eventually became the High Duke in Kraków in 1232. This meant Konrad's rule was limited to Masovia again.
When Henry's son, High Duke Henry II the Pious, died in the 1241 Battle of Legnica, Konrad became High Duke once more. But two years later, his nephew Bolesław V the Chaste claimed the title. Konrad had to give up the High Duke position to Bolesław.
Marriage and Children
Around 1208 or 1209, Konrad married Agafia of Rus. She was the daughter of Prince Svyatoslav III Igorevich. They had ten children:
- Bolesław I (born around 1210 – died April 17, 1248), who became Duke of Masovia.
- Casimir I (born around 1210/13 – died December 14, 1267), who became Duke of Kuyavia.
- Siemowit I (born around 1215 – died June 24, 1262), who took over as Duke of Masovia after his oldest brother.
- Eudoxia (born around 1215–1225), who married Count Dietrich I of Brehna and Wettin.
- Ludmila, who was probably a norbertine nun in Płock.
- Ziemomysł (born around 1220 – died July 10/September 18, 1241).
- Salomea (born around 1220/1225 – died after August 30, 1268?), who was probably a clare nun in Skała.
- Judith (born around 1222/27 – died December 4, 1257/63). She first married Duke Mieszko II the Fat of Opole, and then Duke Henry III the White of Wrocław.
- Dubrawka (born around 1230, died 1265).
- Mieszko (born before 1236 – died before 1238), who died as a baby.
Konrad's Legacy
Many Poles believe Konrad is responsible for the Teutonic Knights gaining control of much of the Baltic coastline. This weakened Poland's power in that area.
Later, King Casimir III of Poland had to accept the Teutonic Order's rule in Thorn and Kulm. This happened with the 1343 Treaty of Kalisz. After a long conflict called the Thirteen Years' War, the Polish King Casimir IV Jagiellon finally regained control over the Chełmno Land in 1466. This was part of the Second Peace of Thorn.
See also
In Spanish: Conrado I de Mazovia para niños
