Yuri II Boleslav facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yuri II Boleslav |
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| King of Ruthenia | |
| Reign | 1323–1340 |
| Predecessor | Andrew and Leo II of Galicia |
| Successor | Liubartas |
| Born | c. 1305-10 |
| Died | c. 1340 (aged c. 30) |
| Spouse | Eufemia (daughter of Gediminas) |
| House | Piast |
| Father | Trojden I of Masovia |
| Mother | Maria of Galicia |
Yuri II Boleslav (born around 1305 or 1310 – died April 7, 1340) was a ruler known as the King of Ruthenia. He was also the Dominus, or lord, of the lands of Galicia–Volhynia from 1325 to 1340.
Yuri II Boleslav was not from Ruthenia. He was a member of the Piast dynasty, a royal family from Poland. He was also a Catholic by birth. Because he was a foreigner and had a different religion, many people in Orthodox Ruthenia did not like him. His sudden death led to a long war over who would rule next. This conflict is known as the Galicia–Volhynia Wars.
A Young Ruler's Life
Yuri II Boleslav was born between 1305 and 1310. His father was Trojden I of Masovia, a duke from Poland. His mother was Maria, who was the daughter of Yuri I of Galicia, a former ruler of Ruthenia.
In 1323, Yuri II Boleslav became the ruler of Ruthenia. He took over after Leo II of Galicia passed away. He also gained control of the Duchy of Belz. This happened after Andrew of Galicia died without having any children.
Marriage and Family Ties
In 1331, Yuri II Boleslav married a princess. She was the daughter of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. She was also the sister of Aldona of Lithuania, who was married to Casimir III of Poland. Her name is believed to have been Eufemia. This marriage helped connect him to powerful families in the region.
Important Decisions and Death
In 1338, Yuri II Boleslav made an agreement with Casimir III of Poland. He offered Casimir the chance to become the next ruler of Galicia-Volhynia. This was a big decision for the future of the kingdom.
Yuri II Boleslav also helped some cities grow. In 1324, he gave Volodymyr special city rights. He did the same for Sanok in 1339. These rights were based on something called Magdeburg Law. This law gave cities more freedom to govern themselves.
Yuri II Boleslav died suddenly in 1340. He did not have any children to take his place. His death happened before his father, who was still ruling the Duchy of Mazovia.
His death caused a major conflict. It started the Galicia–Volhynia Wars, which lasted from 1340 to 1392. These wars were fought to decide who would become the next King of Ruthenia.
