Historical calendar: the anniversary of the death of 1 of the most prominent Polish rulers from the Piast dynasty – Prince Kazimierz II, called the Righteous.
Today in our calendar we will look at the life and accomplishments of this man.
Kazimierz was the boy of Bolesław Krzywousty and his second wife, Salomei of Berg. He was born shortly before or after his father’s death, so he was not endowed with land in a succession, most likely written before his conception. He grew up with his parent in a life conviction handed to her. Although he came from a princely lineage, for many years he had absolutely no meaning in national politics.
His youth fell into a turbulent period of fighting for senates between half brothers – Władysław Exile and Old Town and Boleslaw Kędzierzący. These clashes led to the weakening of the importance of the Polish state and consequently to the humiliating tribute of Bolesław Kędzierzawa towards Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1157. The guarantor of the Polish elder was young Kazimierz, who was given to the emperor as a hostage.
He returned to the country in 1160 or 1161 and possibly would have been forever a insignificant nobleman without land, who would have wandered among the courtships of his brethren had it not been for the tragic event of 1166. It was then in conflict with pagan Prussia that Henry Sandomierski died, who in his will wrote down his district. The older brothers took most of the inheritance from Kazimierz, leaving him only the humble Duchy of Wislickie. However, it became a strong front for the further career of young Pole.
The economical rule, modesty and piety of the young prince brought him the mighty of the another districts. any of them – with Jaksa Gryfita at the head – tried to make him head of rebellion against elder power of Bolesław Kędzierzawa, but this 1 did not support conspirators and the intrigue did not come to pass. After the death of Kędzierza, the ruler of the Piastov princes was Mieszko Stary, who gave Kazimierz the remainder of the lands due to him from the will of Henryk Sandomierski.
Violent regulation Lives in the elder territory caused a conspiracy of the powerful and revolt in 1177, resulting in the expulsion of a tyrant from the country. Kazimierz's intelligence and cunning made the biggest win in this hand turn out to be him. With minimal usage of his own forces, he took over the then elder district, namely Małopolska, Łęczycka Land and Sieradzka. In addition, thanks to effective diplomatic action, he was successful again. For here, the princes of Mazowsze, Silesia and Wielkopolska, declared him their superior.
This way, at the threshold of the 1980s. XII, almost the full country was united. Kazimierz's power was unfortunately unstable, and the support of the princes and the mighty – conditional. In addition, he conspired against the fresh elder in the Empire of Mieszko Stary. Kazimierz sought to strengthen his power. Over time, this was intended to completely destruct the effects of the borough breakdown and to renew the centralized monarchy.
In 1180, Kazimierz organized a convention of the mighty secular and clergymen in Łęczyce. At the convention, it was decided to destruct the regulation of senate, establishing in her place the hereditaryness of the Kraków throne in the household of Kazimierz the Righteous. This was for the price of privileges – the prince's right to request was limited Underwaters, accommodation and food at the time of passage through church goods and the alleged scoliosis, i.e. the right to take over the properties of deceased bishops by the prince and the household of the founder or donor.
Since then, the Church in Poland has had the right to its own property, independent of the prince's authority. The most crucial effect of the Łeczycki convention was due to the privilege of the clergy the fact that the above privilege for the clergy was very rapidly extended to the remaining population, namely chivalry, peasants and emerging bourgeoisie. It pulled Polish society out of outdated ancestral law and became the beginning of modern private law.
Until now, Poles have remained in Slavic tribal law, according to which they could not own their property without the consent of relatives (of the family). Since then the household has not decided on the destiny of the relative's assets, but on him and his heirs, which clearly led to the release of economical possible and hence the economical recovery. The provisions of the Łeczycki legislature and consolidation of power in Poland were approved by Pope Alexander III.
Unfortunately, Mieszko Stary did not quit his pretensions to power. In 1181 in a treacherous way, he led the Duke to lose his superior power over Wielkopolska, Gdańsk and Mazovia. This was all the easier due to the fact that Kazimierz became active in Russian affairs and could not fight on 2 fronts at the same time. The situation became critical erstwhile Mieszko began to search the aid of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa for his plans to take full power in the country.
Kazimierz, who was besides weak to face the Empire, had no choice but to pay tribute to Barbara and pay tribute to the Tribute. In the country there was a “cold war” between the 2 brothers. Pride Lives Old and his sons caused Leszek's Mazovian prince to save his lands for Kazimierz. They went under his control in 1186. In 1191 Mieszko was insidiously occupied by the capital city of Kraków, but did not hold the city for long and returned to the control of the rightful ruler.
Kazimierz showed himself as an efficient admin of his lands, and besides founded many churches and monasteries. In 1194 he embarked on a war expedition against Prussia and the Jaćwingos. The pagans were beaten up in a superb campaign, making his prestige greatly increased. Unfortunately, the prince did not enjoy success for very long. On May 5, 1194, he died under unexplained circumstances. According to chronicles, he drank the contents of the cup and died out. He may have been poisoned by someone.
He was married to the Moravian princess Helena, and his most celebrated children were Konrad Mazowiecki and Leszek White.
Kazimierz, who after his death gained the nickname Righteous, was a good host, a generous founder, and usually an effective politician. He was characterized by the integrity and mildness of manners, which united him with the support of his subjects. This in turn was crucial for the thought of unifying the country. Kazimierz's plans to destruct the territory crash were only partially successful, and his biggest success was the reunion in Łódź, which started affirmative changes in Polish private law.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here..
