Władysław I Łokietek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Władysław I Łokietek Ladislaus the Short
Władysław's tomb effigy in Wawel
King of Poland
Reign	1320–1333
Coronation	20 January 1320
Predecessor	Wenceslaus III
Successor	Casimir III the Great
Born	1260/1
Died	2 March 1333 (aged 72) Kraków, Poland
Burial	Wawel Cathedral, Kraków
Spouse	Jadwiga of Kalisz
Issue	Kunigunde, Duchess of Świdnica Casimir III of Poland Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary
House	House of Piast
Father	Casimir I of Kuyavia
Mother	Euphrosyne of Opole

Władysław I Łokietek, also known as Ladislaus the Short (born around 1260 or 1261, died 2 March 1333), was the King of Poland from 1320 to 1333. Before becoming king, he was a duke ruling different parts of Poland. He was a member of the royal Piast dynasty, a powerful family in Polish history. His father was Duke Casimir I of Kuyavia.

Władysław I started with a small part of his father's lands. His power grew as some of his brothers passed away. He tried to take control of the Duchy of Kraków in 1289 but was not successful at first. After being forced to leave Poland for a while, he returned and took back several duchies. He finally gained control of Kraków in 1306. He also temporarily ruled parts of Greater Poland before losing and then regaining them.

Władysław was a skilled military leader and a good administrator. He conquered Gdańsk Pomerania, a region by the Baltic Sea. To protect this land, he asked the Teutonic Knights for help. However, the Knights then demanded a huge payment or the land itself, which led to a long conflict.

One of his biggest achievements was getting permission from the Pope to be crowned King of Poland in 1320. This important event happened at Wawel Cathedral in Kraków. Władysław died in 1333, and his son, Casimir III the Great, became the next king.

Władysław's Early Life and Family Background

In 1138, the Kingdom of Poland faced a big challenge. King Bolesław III Wrymouth divided Poland into five main areas in his will. This was meant to stop his sons from fighting, but it actually led to almost 200 years of arguments and disorder. Władysław I later managed to bring most of these lands back together to form the Kingdom of Poland again.

Władysław I Łokietek was the oldest son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and his third wife, Euphrosyne of Opole. He had two older half-brothers, Leszek II the Black and Ziemomysł of Kuyavia, from his father's second marriage.

His nickname, Łokietek, means "elbow" or "elbow-high." Historians believe it referred to his short height. Records show he was about 152-155 cm (5'0″-5'1″) tall, which was a bit shorter than average for people in the Middle Ages. Some historians also think the nickname might have meant "the Petty," suggesting his small initial land holdings compared to his big ambitions.

Becoming a Prince in Kuyavia (1267–1288)

Władysław's father, Casimir, died in 1267 when Władysław was seven. His half-brother Leszek II the Black inherited some lands, and another brother, Ziemomysł, got his own area. Władysław and his younger brothers shared control of other lands, with their mother Euphrosyne helping them rule.

In 1275, Władysław started governing these territories himself, though he still shared them with his younger brothers. He often helped his older half-brother Leszek II the Black in battles and political matters.

Struggles for Kraków (1288–1289)

When Leszek II the Black died in 1288 without children, Władysław I Łokietek inherited the principality of Sieradz. This started a fight for control of Kraków and Sandomierz. Władysław supported Bolesław II, Duke of Mazovia, against Henry IV Probus.

In February 1289, Władysław and his allies won a big battle near Siewierz. After this victory, Bolesław II of Mazovia stepped aside, and Władysław tried to become the Duke of Kraków and Sandomierz. He took control of Kraków, but not the important Wawel Castle. Soon, Henry IV Probus took Kraków, and Władysław had to leave. However, Władysław managed to secure his rule in the Duchy of Sandomierz.

War with Wenceslaus II (1289–1292)

In 1290, Henry IV Probus died, and Przemysł II, Duke of Greater Poland, became the ruler of Kraków. Władysław's relationship with Przemysł II was likely friendly. Przemysł II faced many challenges in Kraków and eventually left the city in 1290.

In 1291, Wenceslaus II of Bohemia became the ruler of Kraków. Władysław tried to fight for Lesser Poland with help from Hungarian troops. But in 1292, the Bohemian army, which was much larger, defeated Władysław. He and his brother Casimir II were captured. They had to agree to give up their claims to Lesser Poland and promise loyalty to Wenceslaus II.

Working with Przemysł II (1293–1296)

After their defeats, Przemysł II and Władysław met in Kalisz in 1293. They made a secret agreement to help each other take back Kraków from the Czechs. This meeting might also have been when Władysław married Jadwiga of Kalisz, a cousin of Przemysł II.

In 1294, Władysław's brother Casimir II was killed fighting Lithuanians, and Władysław gained control of Łęczyca. In 1295, Przemysł II was crowned King of Poland. Sadly, he was murdered just seven months later in 1296.

Władysław's Marriage and Family Life

Władysław I Łokietek married Jadwiga, the daughter of Bolesław the Pious. Historians believe their wedding happened between 1290 and 1293, possibly during the important meeting in Kalisz in 1293.

Early Efforts in Greater Poland (1296–1298)

After Przemysł II's death, many people in Greater Poland wanted Władysław to be their ruler. They knew he didn't like the Germans, who were suspected of murdering Przemysł II. However, Przemysł II had named Henry III of Głogów as his heir.

To avoid a war, Władysław and Henry III made an agreement in 1296. Władysław gave Henry III some parts of Greater Poland. Władysław also agreed that if he died without a son, Henry III's eldest son, Henry IV the Faithful, would be his successor.

Władysław's rule in his part of Greater Poland was difficult. There was a lot of crime, and people started to oppose him. In 1298, some nobles from Greater Poland met with Henry III of Głogow. They agreed to support Henry's claim to the throne of Greater Poland if he gave them back their positions.

Time in Exile (1299–1304)

Wenceslaus II of Bohemia decided to act against Władysław. In 1299, they made an agreement, but Władysław didn't keep his promises. So, in July 1299, Wenceslaus II launched a military attack, forcing Władysław to flee Poland.

It's not clear exactly where Władysław lived during these years. Some say he went to Rome for a big church celebration in 1300. He might also have stayed in Ruthenia or Hungary, where he had friends among the powerful families. During this time, Władysław's wife Jadwiga and their children stayed hidden in Kuyavia.

Regaining Control of Lands (1304–1306)

Władysław I Łokietek returned to Lesser Poland in 1304 with an army. He took control of Sandomierz and other castles. His luck improved when Wenceslaus II, the Czech and Polish king, died unexpectedly in 1305. His son, Wenceslaus III, took over. Władysław quickly took advantage of this, gaining control of several duchies by the end of the year.

Even more fortunately for Władysław, Wenceslaus III was murdered in 1306. This left the Kingdom of Bohemia without a ruler and in a civil war. The knights in Kraków invited Władysław to take power. He entered Kraków in a celebration on 1 September 1306.

Władysław also wanted to regain Greater Poland and Pomerelia (Gdańsk Pomerania). He only managed to take a few towns in Greater Poland, as most of it was controlled by his old enemy, Henry III of Głogów. However, Pomerelia came under Władysław's rule after a military trip in late 1306. He appointed his nephews as governors in this distant region.

Teutonic Knights Take Pomerelia (1307–1309)

A local dispute led to the Teutonic Order getting involved in Pomerelia. Władysław I Łokietek asked the Knights for help against invaders from Brandenburg. The Knights successfully drove out the Brandenburg forces from Gdańsk and Tczew.

However, the Knights then took control of these cities for themselves. They demanded a huge payment from Władysław for their help and offered to buy the territory. Władysław refused both offers. In July 1309, the Teutonic Knights began to besiege Świecie, the last area Władysław held in Pomerelia. The city surrendered in September. The Knights then bought a questionable claim to the region from Brandenburg to make their takeover seem legal. They moved their main base to Malbork, strengthening their power.

Dealing with Challenges in Poland (1308–1312)

Władysław couldn't focus on Pomerelia because of problems in Lesser Poland. Jan Muskata, the bishop of Kraków, who had supported Wenceslaus II, started causing trouble. Władysław imprisoned the bishop for a short time and then forced him to leave the region. Muskata didn't return until 1317.

In 1311, Władysław faced another big challenge: a rebellion in Kraków. The local German nobles supported John of Bohemia, the new king of Bohemia, because they felt Władysław's taxes were too high. The mayor of Kraków, Albert, led the revolt. The rebels took control of Kraków and other cities, but Wawel Castle remained loyal to Władysław.

The Duke of Opole, Bolko I, came to Kraków, but his attempts to capture Wawel Castle failed. Władysław, with help from Hungary, put down the rebellion in Sandomierz and forced Bolko I to leave Kraków in June 1312. Władysław punished the rebels severely. Some leaders were executed, and Kraków lost some of its special rights. Soon after, Latin replaced German in the city's official books.

Gaining Control of Greater Poland (1309–1315)

On 9 December 1309, Henry III, Duke of Głogów, Władysław's main rival for Greater Poland, died. His lands were divided among his five sons. This division upset the local nobles and knights, who started a rebellion in 1314 against Henry III's sons.

The rebels gained control of Poznań. They saw Władysław as a defender of their interests. As a result, they transferred power to Władysław, who entered Poznań in August 1314. After this, he began to call himself the "prince of the Polish Kingdom."

The dukes who had inherited Henry III's lands had to accept losing Greater Poland. This success allowed Władysław to get involved in bigger international politics. In 1315, Poland formed an alliance against Brandenburg with Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and other duchies. A war started a year later, but it didn't bring much success.

Becoming King: The Coronation (1315–1320)

Around this time, Władysław started working to get the Pope's permission to be crowned king. The Polish church strongly supported this plan. Nobles and knights met in 1318 and 1319 to prepare a special request for the Pope.

Pope John XXII gave his permission on 20 August 1319. However, King John of Bohemia also claimed the Polish crown. To avoid problems, the Pope decided that Władysław should be crowned in Kraków instead of Gniezno. This way, it wouldn't seem like he was taking away John of Bohemia's claims to Greater Poland.

On 20 January 1320, Władysław was crowned King of Poland in Wawel Cathedral. Because of John of Bohemia's claims, Władysław was sometimes seen internationally as the "King of Kraków" rather than the king of the whole country.

In 1320, Władysław also started legal proceedings against the Teutonic Knights for taking Gdańsk Pomerania. In 1321, a court ruled that the Knights had to return Pomerania and pay a large sum of money. However, the Knights appealed, and the Pope suspended the case, allowing the conflict to continue.

Forming Alliances (1320)

Władysław's kingdom was surrounded by three powerful rivals: Brandenburg, the Teutonic Order, and the Kingdom of Bohemia. Władysław sought allies. He joined forces with Pope John XXII in a larger European conflict. His alliance with Charles I Robert, the King of Hungary, became stronger in 1320 when Charles married Władysław's daughter, Elizabeth.

Expedition to Rus' and War with Brandenburg (1323–1326)

In 1323, the Polish-Hungarian alliance helped a relative of the last princes of Rus' Galicia become the new ruler. This increased Polish influence in the region, which later helped Władysław's son, Casimir III the Great, take control of it.

In 1325, Władysław also formed an alliance with the Lithuanian Duke Gediminas. This alliance was sealed by the marriage of Gediminas's daughter Aldona (who became Anna) to Władysław's son Casimir.

In 1326, Władysław, with Lithuanian support, invaded Brandenburg. He informed the Teutonic Knights about his pagan allies, hoping they would remain neutral. The war didn't bring major gains, but it did recover the castellany of Miedzyrzecz. This action made Władysław unpopular in Germany, as he was seen as fighting Christians with pagans. The Pope did not condemn him. Władysław also regained the land of Wieluń.

Attempt to Control Mazovia (1327–1328)

In 1327, Władysław tried to bring Wenceslaus, the Duke of Płock, under his control. He attacked and burned Płock, but the Teutonic Order and King John of Bohemia joined the war against him. Władysław didn't have major battles with them. However, King John of Bohemia used this opportunity to make princes in Upper Silesia pay him tribute.

To protect border areas during the Polish-Teutonic War, Władysław exchanged lands with his nephews. He gained the Duchy of Inowrocław and gave his nephew the Duchy of Sieradz. His other nephews exchanged the principality of Dobrzyń for the principality of Łęczyca.

Losing Dobrzyń (1329)

Warfare started again in 1329. John of Bohemia, with the help of the Teutonic Knights, took Dobrzyń and gave it to his allies. John also forced Wenceslaus of Płock to pledge loyalty to him, meaning the Duke of Płock refused Władysław's authority. The Teutonic Knights also attacked and destroyed several areas in Kuyavia.

War with the Teutonic Knights (1330–1332)

In 1330, the Teutonic Knights continued their attacks, plundering cities in Kuyavia and Greater Poland. Władysław, with Lithuanian help, managed to besiege a castle in Chełmno. They agreed to a seven-month truce in October 1330. Unfortunately, the alliance with Lithuania ended due to a personal disagreement between Władysław and Gediminas.

In 1331, the Teutonic Knights launched another attack. Their plan was to meet King John of Bohemia's army near Kalisz. However, John of Bohemia stopped in Silesia instead.

The Knights then focused on taking Kuyavia. On 26 September, Polish troops, led by King Władysław and his son Casimir, surprised the Knights near Radziejów. The Poles defeated a part of the enemy army and captured their commander. Later that day, another battle happened near Płowce. This battle was not fully decided, but it was important for the Poles. It showed them that the Knights could be defeated.

Peace talks began in Inowrocław, but Władysław couldn't reach an agreement with the Knights. In 1332, the Knights launched a large attack. Polish forces were too weak to fight them openly. On 20 April, after a two-week siege, Brześć, the capital of Kuyavia, fell. The Knights also took other strongholds in the province.

Losing Kuyavia, his family's homeland, was very painful for Władysław. However, in the same year, he took control of Zbąszyń in Greater Poland.

King Władysław's Death

Władysław the Elbow-high died on 2 March 1333 at Wawel Castle in Kraków. He was buried in the cathedral there. His son, Casimir III the Great, inherited Lesser Poland, Sandomierz, Greater Poland, Kuyavia, and the Duchies of Łęczyca and Sieradz.

Even though Silesia, Gdańsk Pomerania, and Mazovia were still outside the kingdom, Władysław's reign was a huge step towards bringing Poland back together as a strong kingdom.

Władysław's Lasting Impact

Władysław the Short worked tirelessly to unite Poland. It wasn't easy, and he faced many challenges. He was lucky that many of his powerful opponents died unexpectedly. Without his strong and steady actions, Poland might have become part of another kingdom or remained divided forever.

During his rule, Poland had its first major conflict with the Teutonic Order. He also formed a surprising alliance with Lithuania, which would last for centuries. By being crowned king at Wawel, Władysław set an important example and made the Polish kingdom stronger. He also started to create a unified legal system and a national administration. His son, Casimir III the Great, successfully continued these important efforts.

Thanks to his father's hard work, Casimir III was able to pay a huge sum of money to the King of Bohemia to give up his claims to the Polish crown. Casimir could also speak with other powerful European rulers as an equal and develop a strong, unified country. Władysław I Łokietek, though sometimes overshadowed by his famous son, laid the groundwork for Poland's future success.

Royal Titles Used by Władysław

• Title before coronation: Wladislaus Dei gracia, dux Regni Poloniae et dominus Pomeraniae, Cuiavie, Lanciciae ac Siradiae

  English translation: Vladislaus by the grace of God duke of the Kingdom of Poland, and lord of Pomerania, Kuyavia, Łęczyca and Sieradz

• Royal title after coronation: Wladislaus Dei gracia, rex Poloniae et dominus Pomeraniae, Cuiavie, Lanciciae ac Siradiae

  English translation: Vladislaus by the grace of God king of Poland, and lord of Pomerania, Kuyavia, Łęczyca and Sieradz

Later historians sometimes called him Władysław IV or Władysław I. He didn't actually use these numbers himself. "IV" comes from him being the fourth ruler named Władysław to be an overlord of Poland. "I" comes from him restoring the monarchy after a long period of division.

Władysław's Family

Władysław married Jadwiga of Kalisz, who was the daughter of Bolesław the Pious. They had six known children:

• Kunigunde (born between 1295 and 1298; died 9 April 1331 or in 1333). She married Bernard of Świdnica.
• Stefan (born between 1296 and 1300; died 1306) – named after a Hungarian relative. He was buried in the Franciscan Church of Kraków.
• Władysław (born between 1296 and 1311; died 1312) – named after his father. He was also buried in the Franciscan Church of Kraków.
• Elizabeth (1305–29 December 1380) – she became the wife of Charles I Robert, King of Hungary.
• Casimir III the Great (30 April 1310–5 November 1370) – he became King of Poland after his father.
• Jadwiga (born between 1306 and 1309 or between 1311 and 1319; died 3 June between 1320 and 1335) – named after her mother.

Images for kids

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  The so-called Crown of Bolesław the Brave was made for Władysław I.

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  In 1320 the King began the building of a new Wawel Cathedral.

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  16th-century portrait by Anton Boys

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  Portrait of King Władysław I by Jan Matejko

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  The tomb of the monarch inside the Wawel Cathedral

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  Poland between 1275 and 1300.

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  Władysław I on White Horse by M. Barwicki.