- Battle of Głogów
Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Głogów
caption=
date=August 14 ,1109
place=Głogów ,Poland
result=Polish victory
combatant1=Kingdom of Poland
combatant2=Holy Roman Empire
commander1=Bolesław III Wrymouth
commander2=Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=
casualties2=The Battle of Głogów, ( _pl. Obrona Głogowa, Defense of Głogów) was fought
August 14 ,1109 , between the forces of the Kingdom of Poland and theHoly Roman Empire . Recorded by chroniclerGallus Anonymous it is one of the most well known battles in Polish history. The Polish forces were led by DukeBolesław III Wrymouth , while the Imperial forces were under command of German King Henry V. Bolesław was victorious.Prelude
In 1107 Bolesław had expelleded his older step brother and co-ruler Zbigniew. Zbigniew sought help from Henry V and after Bolesław had campaigned
Bohemia in 1108, joined the expedition of Duke Svatopluk and the Emperor to Poland.Henry V. and his army crossed the border and approached Głogów on September 8. They defeated a Polish army which was stationed near the town. Knowing that Bolesław was in the city, Henry decided to grant Głogów's citizens a five day ceasefire to ask their king to surrender. Henry made the citizens of Głogów give up their children as hostages as a guarantee of the ceasefire and promised to give them back alive no matter what the answer of the Polish king would be.
The Battle
Bolesław had no intention to hand over the city. After the five days were up, Henry V. reversed his decision and laid siege to Głogów. Breaking his promise, he chained the child hostages to his siege engines, hoping that the people of Głogów would not shoot their own offspring, which would allow him to conquer the Polish settlement.
However, Henry's cruelty towards children only strengthened the resolve of Głogów's defenders. Several attacks by the Imperial army were repulsed. After many days of unsuccessful fighting and the assassination of Duke Svatopluk, Henry V. was forced to abandon the siege and march south. His campaign ended in Bolesław's victory at the
Battle of Hundsfeld .External links
* [http://www.szjo.uw.edu.pl/twardo/2004-2005%20tasks/051013a/boleslawab.htm#_ftn1 Battle of Głogów]
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