Mestwin II, Duke of Pomerania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mestwin II of Pomerelia |
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Image of Mestwin at the cloister in Oliwa
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| Duke of Pomerelia | |
| Reign | 1271–1294 |
| Predecessor | Swietopelk II |
| Successor | Przemysł II of Poland |
| Duke of Świecie | |
| Reign | from around 1250 until 1294 |
| Born | around 1220 |
| Died | 29 December 1294 Gdańsk |
| House | Samborides |
| Father | Swietopelk II |
| Mother | Eufrozyna of Bohemia |
Mestwin II (also known as Mściwój II or Mszczuj II) was a powerful leader in the region of Pomerelia, which is now part of Poland. He was born around 1220 and died on December 25, 1294. As a member of the Samborides family, he became the Duke of Pomerelia. He ruled the entire area by himself from 1273 until his death in 1294.
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Early Life of Mestwin II
Mestwin II was the son of Duke Swietopelk II and Princess Eufrozyna, who came from the Přemyslid dynasty. When he was a young man, around 1243, he was taken by the Teutonic Order. This happened as part of a peace agreement between his father and the Order.
However, the Teutonic Order did not keep their promise. They held Mestwin II captive until 1248. For some time, he was kept in their castle in Austria. Eventually, he was set free and could return home.
Becoming a Ruler
After returning from being held captive, Mestwin II's father made him the Duke of the Świecie (Schwetz) area around 1250. When his father passed away in 1266, Mestwin II started a fight with his younger brother for control of Gdańsk (Danzig). This conflict was called the Pomerelian Civil War.
The war lasted until 1273. Mestwin II fought against his younger brother and his uncles. He won these battles and finally became the main prince of Pomerelia. He became the sole ruler in 1273. He brought all the lands of Pomerelia together. This happened after his uncles, Sambor II (prince of Lubiszewo) and Racibor Białogardzki (prince of Białogarda), passed away.
Forming Alliances
In 1269, Mestwin II looked for allies to help him. He made an agreement with the Brandenburg margraves. These dukes were expanding their lands. This agreement was called the Treaty of Choszczno. It is believed that Mestwin II promised to be loyal to them. He also gave them control over some Pomerelian towns, like Świecie and Białogard. This was likely in exchange for their military and financial help.
Mestwin's brother, Wratislaw II of Pomerania, was the main duke of Pomerelia and ruled Gdańsk. In 1271, Mestwin II, likely with his new allies, forced Wratislaw II out of his duchy. This caused Wratislaw II and Sambor II to fight against Mestwin II. Even Mestwin's own knights and nobles rebelled against him.
Mestwin II faced many problems and was even captured for a short time in 1270. He gave control of Gdańsk to Duke Conrad of Brandenburg. However, Mestwin II later forced them to give up the city in 1273. He was stronger now because he had a new alliance with his cousin, Bolesław Pobożny, the duke of Great Poland.
Wratislaw II, who was defeated, found safety with Ziemomysł of Kuyavia. He also asked the Teutonic Order for help. But Wratislaw II died unexpectedly in 1271. Mestwin II's remaining male relatives, his uncles Sambor II and Racibor, also lost their lands in Pomerelia because of Mestwin II's actions. They sought help from the Order and other princes. Both uncles died in the 1270s. This made Mestwin II the only ruler of the unified Duchy of Pomerelia.
Now, Mestwin II faced challenges from Brandenburg, the Teutonic Order, and other princes. Because of the Order's actions, he had to give them his castles and villages on the right side of the Vistula River. He also had to give them Gniew, an important stronghold on the left side. His uncle Sambor II had given Gniew to the Order in his will. Mestwin II accepted this claim in 1282 after being pressured and with the Pope's help. These pressures made Mestwin II strengthen his alliance with Bolesław of Greater Poland and his successor, Przemysł II.
Treaty of Kępno
Mestwin II and Przemysł II, the new duke of Greater Poland, made a secret agreement in 1282. This was called the Treaty of Kępno. Important nobles from both duchies confirmed this treaty. It stated that either Mestwin or Przemysł II would inherit all the other's lands. This meant they would become the ruler of both areas.
Mestwin II remained the ruler of Pomerelia until he died in 1294. The Treaty of Kępno brought Pomerelia and Greater Poland closer. This was an important step in bringing the Polish lands back together under the Piast family. During Mestwin II's life, nobles from Greater Poland were given important jobs and lands in Pomerelia.
In 1287, the two princes made another agreement about who would rule after them. This happened in Słupsk. They also included another Western Slavic prince, Bogusław IV of Szczecin, in their agreement. This new treaty was made public in Nakło in 1291. These treaties were made because Brandenburg and the Teutonic Order were acting aggressively towards the lands of these Slavic duchies.
Family Life and Legacy
Mestwin II had three wives. His first wife was Princess Judith. She was the daughter of Ditrich I, duke of Brenna. She passed away before 1275. Then, around 1275, he married Princess Euphrosyne of Opole. They divorced in 1288. His last wife was Sulisława, who died in 1292. She is not as well-known.
Mestwin II had two daughters. One was named Katarzyna (Katherine), who married Pribislaw II. The other was Eufemia, who later married a Slavic or German prince.
Mestwin II died in Gdańsk. He was buried in the Cistercian monastery in Oliwa. His original tomb was likely destroyed in 1577. This happened when the army of Gdańsk burned down the abbey during a rebellion against King Stephen Báthory. However, a special tomb for the Samboride family still exists. It was built in 1615 by one of the abbots of Oliwa, Dawid Konarski.
