Władysław III Spindleshanks

This article refers to the 12th century Polish monarch. For the 15th century Jagiellon monarch, see Władysław III of Poland, and for other monarchs with similar names see Ladislaus III (disambiguation).

Władysław III Spindleshanks
19th century portrait by Jan Matejko
High Duke of Poland
Reign	1202-1206 1227-1229
Predecessor	Mieszko III the Old
Successor	Konrad I of Masovia
Duke of Greater Poland
Reign	1202-1229
Predecessor	Mieszko III the Old
Successor	Władysław Odonic
Spouse	Lucia of Rügen
House	House of Piast
Father	Mieszko III the Old
Mother	Eudoxia of Kiev
Born	c.1161/66
Died	3 November 1231

Władysław III Spindleshanks (Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi; b. 1161/67^[1] – 3 November 1231), of the Piast Dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland (during 1194-1202 over all the land and during 1202-1229 only over the southern part), High Duke of Poland and Duke of Kraków during 1202-1206 and 1228–1231, Duke of Kalisz during 1202-1206, ruler of Lubusz during 1206-1210 and 1218–1225, and ruler over Gniezno during 1216-1217.

He was the fifth son of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, but the third-born from his second marriage with Eudoxia, daughter of Grand Prince Iziaslav II of Kiev.

The nickname "Spindleshanks" (Laskonogi) was given to Władysław in the Chronicle of Greater Poland. Jan Długosz assumed that this was in reference to the unusual Władysław's long and thin legs.^[2]

Life

Under the rule of Mieszko III the Old

The first appearance of Władysław in contemporary sources began around 1168 in the congress of Jędrzejów, where as a small child was a witness in a donation to the local cistercian monastery.

Between 1177-1179 Władysław, his parents and siblings were forced to leave the country as a result of the rebellion of Casimir II the Just and Odon, Mieszko III's eldest son from his first marriage, who resented the clear favoritism showed by his father to the offspring of his second marriage. Władysław returned to his family only in 1181 and, despite he was already legally an adult, didn't receive his own district.

Around 1186, Władysław married with Lucia, daughter of Jaromar I, Prince of Rügen. The union, whose principal purprose was to increased the influence of Mieszko III in Western Pomerania, proved to be childless.

On 20 April 1194 Władysław's half-brother Odon died. Thanks to this Władysław could finally obtain his own independent Duchy, located in Southern Greater Poland (the Obra River); however, the prince only assumed the government there as a guardian of his minor nephew Władysław Odonic (son of Odon, born ca. 1190).

One year later (13 September 1195), the death of his only surviving brother Bolesław in the bloody Battle of Mozgawą leave Władysław as the sole heir of Mieszko III. Since them, he began his efforts to restore his father in the Duchy of Kraków and the overlordship of Poland.

Duke of Kraków and Greater Poland

Mieszko III died on 13 March 1202. Władysław could succeeded his father without barriers in Kraków, Greater and Lesser Poland, thanks to the support of the powerful voivode Mikołaj Gryfita. However, soon arose an opponent to the throne of Kraków: the eldest son of Casimir II the Just, Leszek I the White, but his candidacy collapsed because he based its rule on the count palatine Goworek, who was a stubborn enemy of the voivode Mikołaj.

Lost of the Kraków throne

Władysław's rule as Duke of Kraków and High Duke of Poland lasted for four years, until 1206, when, after the death of his principal supported voivode Mikołaj Gryfita, Leszek I the White returned to the capital. The cause of the rebellion was a tough enforcement of rights against the powerful nobility and the alliance with the Pomeranians. Some historians placed the loss of Kraków by Władysław in a earlier period: a few months after the death of his father in 1202. In the absence of sources for this period, however, this fact is difficult to verify.

Plans to restore Polish sovereignty over Pomerania. Kalisz exchange for Lubusz

Interest in the Pomeranian affairs, Władysław was involved in two events. The first was a solemn meeting with King Valdemar II of Denmark, during which attempted to resolve disputes and determine the zone of influence. The second event was a surprising agreement with the Duke of Wroclaw, Henry I the Bearded, under which Władysław surrendered the Duchy of Kalisz (part of the patrimony of his nephew Władysław Odonic) in exchange of Lubusz, whereby it was easier to pursue an active policy on the Baltic coast. But in 1209 Władysław lost Lubusz, taken by Conrad II of Landsberg, Margrave of Lusatia (his brother-in-law), who defeated the Duke in the Battle of Lubusz. Eventuality Henry I the Bearded, in the campaign between August 1210 and March 1211 could take Lubusz from the Germans, using the confusion after the death of Conrad II (6 May 1210) and the disputes about his heritage among the members of the House of Wettin.

Conflicts with Archbishop Henry Kietlicz and Władysław Odonic

The lost of Kalisz, putting into foreign hands, caused a deep dissatisfaction in Władysław Odonic, who considered this land as part of his patrimony. The young prince (at that time around 16 years) managed to gain the support of the Greater Poland nobles and foremost the Archbishop of Gniezno, Henry Kietlicz, who wanted the opportunity to obtain from Spindleshanks privileges for the local Church and thus limited the power of the ruling house.

However, despite the efforts of both Odonic and Archbishop Kietlicz, the rebellion was short-lived and unsuccessfully. Both Kietlicz and Władysław Odonic had to flee to the court of Henry I the Bearded. The excommunication launched by Kietlicz against Spindleshanks was from little help to the insurgents, because of the support given to Mieszko III's son by Arnold II, Bishop of Poznań.

Somewhat surprising was the reaction to these events by Henry I the Bearded, which not only accepted the exiles, but also endowed Władysław Odonic with the Duchy of Kalisz, however, with the condition to return to him after he regained his inheritance. At the same time, the Archbishop Kietlicz went to Rome, where he had a personal meeting with Pope Innocent III. The protest made to the Holy See successfully blocked the attempt to appeal the curse made by Spindleshanks. The Pope also instructed the other Polish princes to help the Archbishop of Gniezno in returning to his diocese.

Congress of Głogów. Reconciliation with Archbishop Kietlicz

Henry I the Bearded became a mediator between the warring parties, and on Christmas Day of 1208 he invited the two Greater Poland Dukes, the Archbishop of Gniezno and the Bishops of Wroclaw, Lubusz and Poznań to a meeting in Głogów. After a long discussions, finally was reached a settlement between Spindleshanks and the Archbishop Kietlicz, who could return to Gniezno and were restored all his goods, in exchange for lifting the anathema against the Duke. However, the conflict between uncle and nephew remained unsolved.

Congress of Borzykowa and attempt to restitute Bolesław III's testament. Conquest of Kraków by Mieszko I Tanglefoot

In 1210 Spindleshanks supported the efforts of Mieszko I Tanglefoot, who wanted the restitution of the Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth, under which the Silesian branch are the rightful overlords of Poland. At this point, Władysław was probably the immediate oldest member of the Piast dynasty after Mieszko I, and therefore, he certainly expect that after the imminent death of the venerable Duke of Racibórz he could received the title of High Duke and the Duchy of Kraków. However, according to some historians, Henry I the Bearded was older than Spindleshanks. This was the most probable, and was reflected in the Bull issued by Pope Innocent III on 9 June 1210, where the Holy See demanded the restitution of all the hereditary rights of the Silesian branch according to Bolesław III's testament and also excommunicated Leszek I the White; this edict was made by the request of an anonymous Duke of Silesia, which could have only been Henry I the Bearded (because Mieszko I used the title of Duke of Raciborz-Opole). The situation became quite confused, as nobody was sure who held the real power.

In July 1210 Leszek I the White, Henry I the Bearded, Konrad I of Masovia and Władysław Odonic met with the local Bishops in Borzykowa with the purprose to solve the problematic of the mysterious Papal Bull. Mieszko I Tanglefoot wasn't present in the meeting; with an army and thanks to the support of the Gryfici family, he could enter in Kraków and easily took Wawel. However, Archbishop Kietlicz didn't intend to accept the existing situation, and having received from the young princes and the local Church hierarchy words of support, began his efforts in Rome to withdraw the fateful Bull. These treatments have been successful, and when in May 1211 Mieszko I Tanglefoot died, Leszek I the White was able to return to the throne of Kraków. The intentions of the older generation have failed.

Rise of Archbishop Kietlicz. Władysław Odonic, Duke of Southern Greater Poland

In 1215 Władysław Spindleshanks' position has been further weakened by the growth of the power of Archbishop Henry Kietlicz, who supported the provisions of IV Lateran Council, and the subsequent congress of the Junior princes in Wolbórz, where Leszek I the White, Konrad I of Mazovia, Władysław Odonic and Casimir I of Opole not only agreed to extend the economic and legal benefits for the Church, but also supported the claims of Odonic to obtain his rightful inheritance. Finally, in 1216, in order to avoid an armed confrontation, Spindleshanks gave Odonic the district who previously belonged to his father (the exact territory was a matter of dispute between historians: some believed that Odonic received Southern Greater Poland with the Obra River as frontier, and others consider that the young prince received the entire district of Poznań together with his castle). The agreement between uncle and nephew was confirmed by a Bull of Pope Honorius III issued on 9 February 1217. There has also been an official reconciliation with the Archbishop Kietlicz, who received the privilege from Spindleshanks to received the revenues from the cistercian monastery of Łekno.

Fall of Archbishop Kietlicz. Treaty with Leszek I the White

The terms of the reconciliation accorded in 1216 lasted only less than a year. The proud and ambitious attitude of Archbishop Kietlicz effectively discouraged his supporters and stopped his intromision in the Piast Dukes affairs. His importance suffered a further declined after the defeat of the policies of Pope Honorius III.

In 1217 was also concluded an unexpected treaty between the previous antagonists Leszek I the White and Władysław Spindleshanks, under which if one of both rulers died without male issue, the other could inherit all his domains. This agreement clearly affected the interests of the Duke of Kalisz Władysław Odonic, Spindleshanks' nearest male relative.

Deposition of Władysław Odonic and escape from the country. Treaty with Henry I the Bearded

In the same year the Duke of Greater Poland took advantage from the benevolent neutrality of Henry I the Bearded and finally decided to resolve the conflict with Odonic and took the district of his nephew, forcing him to flee the country. The formal alliance between Spindleshanks and Henry I the Bearded (similar to the previous agreement with Leszek I the White) took place at the end of 1217 or early 1218, during an assembly in Sądowel, through the mediation of the Bishops Paweł II of Poznań and Wawrzyniec of Lubusz. For unknown reasons, the content of the arrangements was beneficial only to the Duke of Greater Poland, who not only received the permission to retain Odonic's district (which included parts of Kalisz, who under the agreement of 1206, was returned to Silesia), but also obtain the district of Lubusz (captured in 1209 by the Margrave of Lusatia Conrad II but recovered by Henry I the Bearded one year later) during his lifetime. Perhaps with this consesion, the Duke of Wroclaw wanted to create a strong front of Polish princes on his favor over his particular interests. The agreement of Sądowel was ratified by a special papal bull issued on 9 May 1218, which further broke down the power of Archbishop Kietlicz.

The first test of the Triumvirate (Władysław III Spindleshanks, Henry I the Bearded and Leszek I the White) was the death in 1219 of Archbishop Henry Kietlicz and the common choice for the post of Archbishop, the chancellor Wincenty z Niałka, one of Spindleshanks' closest associates.

Return of Władysław Odonic. Loss of Ujście, Nakło and Lubusz

Despite the many benefits of Władysław Spindleshanks received in the congress of Sądowel he didn't participate in a national campaign against the pagan Prussians. The reason for this were the actions of his nephew Władysław Odonic, who, thanks to the hospitality and collaboration of Swantopolk II of Pomerania (probably Odonic's brother-in-law) began his struggle against the authority of his uncle. The situation worsened when, in October 1223, Odonic surprisingly attacked and managed to conquer the town of Ujście, and soon afterwards (in 1225) the adjacent district of Nakło.

Spindleshanks' situation became more complicated after the loss of Lubusz in 1225, captured by Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, who took advantage from the constants fights of the Greater Poland Duke with his nephew and could conquer this important territory.

New phase in the War against Władysław Odonic. Defeat at Ujście

The decisive battle between uncle and nephew took place in 1227. Spindleshanks sent an army under the command of the voivode Dobrogost besieged Ujście, but he couldn't take the strong local fortress, and on 15 July, Odonic surprisingly attacked the voivode, who was completey defeated and killed. Thanks to this victory, Władysław Odonic was able to take control over almost all Greater Poland; however, Odonic's ally Swantopolk II unexpectedly broke the existing treaty, took Nakło and proclaimed himself Duke, ended his homage to Leszek I the White.

Congress of Gąsawa and murder of Leszek I the White

The alliance of his nephew with th Pomeranian ruler put in jeopardy Spindleshanks' rule, and feared that he could lost the remain of his lands; so, he decided to made a pacific solution to his disputes with Odonic. So, on St. Martin's day (11 November) of 1227 was convened a solemn congress of Piast rulers, bishops and nobles in the small Kuyavian district of Gąsawa, where this and others delicate issue were discussed in order to take further steps. In addition of the instigator of the reunion, Leszek I the White, were also present his brother Konrad I of Masovia, Henry I the Bearded, Wladyslaw Odonic (whose assistance is disputed by historians), the entire episcopate and numerous representatives of Polish magnate families. For unknown reasons, Władysław Spindleshanks didn't appear in Gąsawa, although is believed that both Archbishop Wincenty of Gniezno and Bishop Paweł II of Poznań watched his interests. Nobody expected the tragedy, which occurred on the morning of 24 November: during a short break between the deliberations in the town of Marcinkowo Górne, a group of Pomeranians attacked both Leszek I the White and Henry I the Bearded; Leszek I was killed and Henry I severely wounded, but could survive.

Contemporary sources and later historiography clearly recognize Swantopolk II as the crime's author. However, some historians believed that Władysław Odonic was an accomplice, passing all the plans and conversations to the Pomeranian ruler during the congress (according to the most recent work of Tomasz Jurek). Historians speculed that in 1227 the hostility between the Duke of Pomerania and Odonic suddenly appeared after Swantopolk II took Nakło. According to the proponents of the view that Odonic participated in the Gąsawa crime, believed that the capture of Nakło was only a distraction from the true intentions of Swantopolk II and Odonic. There are also other versions from these events, but because of shortage of resources and ambiguity were several theories; also, there strong probabilities that Władysław Spindleshanks was involved in Leszek I's death, because was him, and not Swantopolk II, who obtain the greatest benefits from the crime.

Recovery of the Kraków throne. Next phase in the War against Władysław Odonic

After the crime of Gąsawa Władysław Spindleshanks turns directly to the offensive. At the beginning of next year and under unknown circumstances, the Duke of Greater Poland, with the help of Silesian troops, could defeat his nephew Odonic, who was taken prisoner. Spindleshanks then went to Lesser Poland, where he present his claim over the throne of Kraków under the basis of the agreement of mutual succession between him and Leszek I the White signed in 1217. Although the Duke of Krakow leave a one-year-old son, Bolesław V, it was clear that until he reached the proper age, the rule over Kraków had to be taken over by someone else. At the same time, Leszek I's brother Konrad I of Massovia appears in Lesser Poland and also put his claim over the Kraków throne.

The formal election of the new High Duke of Poland was made at a meeting in Wiślica on 5 May 1228, where most of the powerful nobles gathered around the Bishop of Kraków, Iwo Odrowąż, the voivode Marek z Brzeźnicy, Governor of Kraków and Pakosław the Old, voivode of Sandomierz. There was rejected the candidacy of Konrad I of Masovia in favor of Spindleshanks.

Congress of Cienia. Władysław III Spindleshanks, first elective High Duke of Poland

The choice of Władysław Spindleshanks as High Duke wasn't unconditional choice, because during an assembly organizated in Cienia Pierwsza he was compelled to sign two important documents. In the first, the Duke of Greater Poland ensured several privileges to the Church, and even expanded it. The second was about the infant son of Leszek I the White, Bolesław V: the new High Duke took over his guardianship and making him his general heir. At the same time he promised not introduce any new law without the consent of the nobility and clergy of Lesser Poland. In this way, for the first time, the royal power in Poland was made by election. Spindleshanks assumed the direct rule only over Kraków: the authority over Sandomierz was handed by Bolesław V's mother Grzymislawa, although formally, because at the end remained under the control of the High Duke.

See also

• Poland during the Piast dynasty

Ancestry

References

1. ^ K. Jasiński, Uzupełnienia do genealogii Piastów, "Studia Źródłoznawcze", vol. III, 1958, p. 202.
2. ^ M. Przybył, Władysław Laskonogi, książę wielkopolski 1202-1231, Poznań 1998, pp. 11-12.

Władysław III Spindleshanks House of Piast Born: ~1161/66 Died: 3 November 1231
Preceded by Mieszko III the Old	Duke of Greater Poland 1202–1229	Succeeded by Władysław Odonic
Preceded by Mieszko III the Old	High Duke of Poland 1202–1206	Succeeded by Leszek I the White
Preceded by Leszek I the White	High Duke of Poland 1227–1229	Succeeded by Konrad I of Masovia

Persondata
Name	Wladyslaw Iii Spindleshanks
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	3 November 1231
Place of death