Władysław I Herman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Władysław I Herman |
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| Duke of Poland | |
| Reign | 1079–1102 |
| Predecessor | Bolesław II the Generous |
| Successor | Bolesław III Wrymouth |
| Born | c. 1044 Poland |
| Died | 4 June 1102 (aged 58) Płock, Poland |
| Burial | Masovian Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Płock, Poland |
| Spouse | Przecława (Prawdzic?) Judith of Bohemia Judith of Swabia |
| Issue more... |
Zbigniew Bolesław III Wrymouth Agnes I, Abbess of Quedlinburg |
| House | Piast |
| Father | Casimir I the Restorer |
| Mother | Maria Dobroniega of Kiev |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Władysław I Herman (around 1044 – 4 June 1102) was a powerful ruler in Poland. He served as the duke of Poland from 1079 until he passed away. Władysław was a member of the Piast dynasty, a very important family in Polish history.
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Becoming Duke of Poland
Władysław was the second son of Duke Casimir the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev. As a second son, he wasn't expected to become duke. However, his older brother, Bolesław the Bold, had to leave Poland in 1079. This sudden event made Władysław the new duke. People aren't sure if Władysław helped plan his brother's removal. But he was seen as the best person to take over.
Poland's Relations with Other Countries
In 1080, Władysław wanted to make friends with Bohemia. So, he married Judith, the daughter of Duke Vratislaus II of Bohemia. Bohemia was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. After this marriage, Władysław focused on keeping the Holy Roman Empire happy. He even accepted the rule of Emperor Henry IV.
Even though Bohemia's duke became a king, Władysław never tried to become king himself. Later, Polish nobles made him bring back his nephew, Mieszko Bolesławowic, from Hungary. Mieszko agreed that Władysław was the duke. In return, Mieszko would be next in line to rule Poland. Władysław had to agree because his first son, Zbigniew, was born from a relationship that the church didn't fully recognize.
Władysław's relationship with Emperor Henry got much better. This happened after Judith of Bohemia died. Władysław then married Henry's sister, Judith, in 1089. She had been a queen in Hungary before.
Władysław stopped being friends with Hungary. Instead, he joined the group that was against the Pope. He also started paying tribute to Bohemia again for Silesia. Some lands like Kraków and Cieszyn were given to Bohemia. Lubusz Land was lost to Germany. And Przemyśl Land in the east was lost to Halych-Ruthenia. Władysław did try to get back Pomerania. He sent many armies and managed to control it for a short time (1090–1091).
Challenges at Home
Even though Władysław was the duke, some powerful nobles had a lot of control. These nobles had helped remove his brother. Soon, Władysław had to let a nobleman named Sieciech manage the government. Sieciech was the count palatine (a high-ranking official).
Many nobles didn't like Sieciech's rule. They felt he was too powerful.
When Władysław and Judith of Bohemia had a son, Bolesław Wrymouth, the situation changed. Władysław's nephew Mieszko was 17 and was supposed to be the next ruler. But in 1089, Mieszko died mysteriously. Many believed he was poisoned by Sieciech and Judith of Swabia. Soon after, Zbigniew, Władysław's first son, was sent to a monastery in Germany. Władysław wanted Zbigniew to become a priest. This would stop him from ever becoming duke.
In 1090, Sieciech took control of Gdańsk Pomerania for a short time. Polish soldiers were placed in big towns. Other areas were burned to stop people from fighting back. But a few months later, local leaders rebelled. They made the region independent from Poland again.
Sieciech's harsh rule made Władysław look bad. Many people left Poland. In 1093, Silesia rebelled. A leader named Magnus helped Zbigniew, who had escaped from Germany. But Sieciech quickly captured Zbigniew and put him in prison. People were very unhappy. This forced Zbigniew's release in 1097. After this, Władysław had to accept Zbigniew as a rightful heir. He then made his sons commanders of the army. This army was formed to try and take back Gdańsk Pomerania.
Around 1096, many Jewish people started moving to Poland from Western Europe. This was around the time of the First Crusade. Władysław was a fair ruler. He welcomed Jewish people to his lands. He allowed them to live anywhere in the country.
Soon, Zbigniew and Bolesław decided to work together. They demanded that Władysław share power with them. Władysław agreed to divide the country. Each son would get his own area. Władysław kept control of Mazovia and its capital, Płock. He also kept control of important cities like Wrocław, Kraków, and Sandomierz. Zbigniew received Greater Poland, including Gniezno, Kuyavia, Łęczyca, and Sieradz. Bolesław got Lesser Poland, Silesia, and Lubusz Land.
However, Sieciech was worried about losing his power. He started causing trouble between the brothers. Władysław decided to support Sieciech against his own sons. But Władysław was defeated. With help from the Archbishop of Gniezno, Władysław had to take away Sieciech's lands. Sieciech was sent away from Poland in 1101.
Building Churches
Władysław helped build several churches in Poland. He was especially known for starting the Romanesque Wawel Cathedral. Part of this cathedral, the Silver Bells Tower, is still standing today.
He also really liked Saint Giles. He built at least three churches dedicated to Saint Giles. These were in Kraków, Inowlodz, and Giebultow. This is because his first wife became pregnant after six years without children. Władysław sent many gifts to a monastery in France dedicated to Saint Giles. He prayed for a healthy child. When his son was born, Władysław started building churches to honor the saint.
Legend says he also built a church "on the sand" for the Virgin Mary. This church was later given to the Carmelites.
Health and Death
According to an old writer named Gallus Anonymus, Władysław suffered from a sickness that affected his legs for a long time. There's also a story that in 1086, Władysław got a bad skin disease. It caused sores on his nose and face. The legend says the Virgin Mary appeared in his dream. She told him to find a cure in the sandy area outside the city. After he was healed, Władysław built a church for the Holiest Virgin Mary "on the sand" where he found the cure.
Władysław passed away on 4 June 1102. He didn't decide who would rule after him. This led to his sons fighting for power. He was buried in the Płock Cathedral.
Family and Children
Before Władysław became duke, probably in the 1070s, he had a relationship with a woman named Przecława. We don't know much about her family. Some historians think she was just his girlfriend. Others believe they were married in a way that wasn't recognized by the church. By 1080, Przecława either died or was sent away. Some think she became a nun and died around 1092. They had a son, Zbigniew (born around 1070–1073 – died around 1112–1114). He was considered illegitimate.
In 1080, Władysław married Judith (around 1056 – 1086). She was the daughter of Vratislaus II of Bohemia. They had one son:
- Bolesław Wrymouth (1086 – 1138)
In 1089, Władysław married Judith (1054 – 1105). She was the daughter of Emperor Henry III. She had been a queen in Hungary before. They had several daughters:
- Sophia (born around 1089 – died before 12 May 1112). She married Iaroslav Sviatopolkovich, a prince from Volhynia.
- Agnes (born around 1090 – died 29 December 1127). She became the head of two important abbeys (monasteries for women).
- Possibly Adelaide (born around 1091 – died 25/26 March 1127). She married Margrave Diepold III of Vohburg.
- A daughter (born around 1092 – died before 1111). She married a Polish lord.
See also
In Spanish: Vladislao I Herman para niños
Images for kids
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A painting of Władysław I Herman.
