Bolesław II Mazowiecki : na szlakach ku jedności : (ok. 1253

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Viduramžiai; Lenkijos istorija; 13 amžius; 14 amžius; Karai; Kunigaikščiai; Jotvingiai; The Middle Ages; Poland history; Lithuanian history; Wars; Dukes; Yotvingians.

ENDuke Bolesław II (c. 1253/58-24 April 1313), the son of Siemowit I and Ruthenian princess Pereyaslava, and grandson of Konrad of Masovia, ranks among lesser-known dukes from the period of feudal fragmentation, although he was favorably reviewed by the 15th-century Polish chronicler Jan Długosz, who described him as a strict but just ruler. Therefore the aim of the book is to describe one of the Masovian dukes with particular focus on the trans-regional role Bolesław II played during the period when tendencies toward unification mounted. With regard to chronology, the book covers the period from the 50s of the 13th century to the year 1313 which marks the death of the duke, including some references to events from earlier and latter years. Bolesław lost his father early, when the Lithuanians raided Jazdów in 1262. Siemowit I was killed and his body was burnt, while Bolesław IPs elder brother Konrad II was captured. The regency on behalf of the juveniles was exercised by their mother Pereyaslava. Upon returning from Lithuanian captivity, Konrad began independent rule about 1269, while Bolesław II became fully independent ruler after 1275. The conflict between the brothers was sparked by the unequal division of the inheritance from their father and lasted for over 10 years. During this period the dukes accompanied by their Piast and Ruthenian allies would invade each other's lands. However, after many years of fighting, they reconciled in 1289. At that time Bolesław II was chosen as the ruler of Cracow. Shortly afterwards he faced problems he had not encountered in his native Masovia. He must have been astonished by an enormous power of magnates of Little Poland and the degree to which the ruler of Cracow had been dependent on them. He resigned from fighting for Cracow, and then he united Masovia under his rule after Konrad's death in II w 1294.To prevent raids by the Lithuanians he was the first of Piast dukes to enter into an alliance with the them, which was sealed by his marriage to Gaud- emunda Sophia of Lithuania. After she died, he accepted the offer of marriage to Kunigunde, who was at a monastery in Prague, the sister of Wenc- eslaus II. Thus Bolesław became the ally of King of Bohemia. It is possible that it was the direct reason why Bolesław gave up the fight for Cracow. Entering into the alliance enhanced his prestige, and also offered him notable benefits: one being Kunigunde's dowry, a persuasive argument considering the devastation of Masovia. The duke used this money to found towns in Masovia (e.g. Warszawa, Plock). This might have been one of the causes of a conflict between him and Kunigunde, who did not feel too comfortable in Masovia, as evidenced by her complaint of the parson Herman's harassment of her daughter. Soon thereafter, Kunigunde returned permanently to Bohemia, while Bolesław II came into an open conflict with Wenceslaus II and resumed supporting his long-time ally: Władysław the Elbow-High. Bolesław based his actions on the alliance with his cousin Władysław the Elbow-High who was then Duke of Kuyavia. Although his both marriages were of political nature, his first marriage to Gaudemunda Sophia can be regarded as successful. After all, in one of documents the duke mentions praying for the soul of his wife. His second marriage, a tempestuous one, ended with Kunigunde's permanent departure to Prague. Bolesław had two sons: Siemowit II and Trojden and a daughter by Gaudemunda Sophia; whereas by Kunigunde he had a son Wacław and possibly one daughter Euphrosyne (it is questionable whether they had another daughter Berta). Bolesław allowed Kunigunde to take Euphrosyne with her to Prague, leaving her fate in his wife's hands.He divided the district of Masovia among his sons, while the fate of Bolesław II and Gaudemunda Sophia's daughter remains a mystery. Długosz mentions that she got married for the first time at a late age by the standards of the period - being 37 years old. Such items as the duke's seal bearing a motif known in West European sigillography: a knight doing obeisance to a lady, as well as the gradual, which had been made to the duke's order outside Polish lands, testify that the dukes court's foreign contacts stretched not only to the south, but also the west. Bolesław II's policy, which he based on the alliance with Władysław the Elbow-High, undoubtedly had a profound influence upon political transformation, and contributed to the victory of the idea of building the Piast monarchy under the rule of Władysław Elbow-High. In pursuing his policy, he must have taken into account the duke of Plock's aspirations to maintain the independence of Masovia and the perception of Władysław the Elbow-High as the duke who would not threat this independence. Apart from the episode of participating in the fight for Cracow in 1289, Bolesław II supported the idea that Piast lands should be united the reign of one Piast ruler, but with the exclusion of Masovian lands; he also considered himself as an equal partner of Władysław the Elbow-High. Referring to the title of the book, one can say that he was actively present "on the paths to unity". [From the publication]