Władysław I Herman
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- This article is about the 11th century Polish monarch. For the 13th century monarch, see Władysław I the Elbow-high, and for other nobles with a similar name, please see Ladislaus I (disambiguation).
| Władysław I Herman | |
| Duke of Poland | |
 Portrait by Jan Matejko |
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| Reign | 1079-1102 |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1042 |
| Birthplace | Poland |
| Died | April 4, 1102 |
| Place of death | Płock , Poland |
| Buried | Masovian Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Plock, Poland |
| Predecessor | Bolesław II the Bold |
| Successor | Bolesław III Wrymouth |
| Wives | Przecława Judith Premyslid Judith of Swabia |
| Issue | With Przecława: Zbigniew With Judith Premyslid: Bolesław III Wrymouth, With Judith of Swabia: Agnes of Gandersheim, two unknown daughters |
| Royal House | Piast |
| Father | Casimir I the Restorer |
| Mother | Maria Dobroniega |
Władysław I Herman (c.1042-1102) Duke of Poland from 1079 until 1102. Second son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega, the daughter of Vladimir the Great, Grand Duke of Kiev.
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[edit] Biography
As second son of Casimir I the Restorer, Władysław was not destined for the throne, however due to his brother’s flight from Poland in 1079, Władysław was elevated to the rank of duke of Poland. Opinions vary on whether Władysław played an active role in the plot to depose his brother or whether he was handed the authority simply because he was the most proper person, being the next in line in the absence of the king and his son Mieszko. In 1080, in order to improve Polish Czech relations, he married Judith Premyslid, the daughter of the king of Bohemia, Vratislaus II. Władysław had a son from this marriage called Bolesław, later to be known as Bolesław III Wrymouth. Later he married Judith of Swabia the daughter of Emperor Henry III, with whom he had three daughters. Władysław I also had a son, Zbigniew (1070-1112) from his first marriage to Przecława, a Polish noblewoman from the Prawdzic clan.
[edit] Foreign Policy
Władysław I Herman’s foreign policy levitated strongly towards appeasement of the Holy Roman Empire. He accepted overlordship of the Empire, and when in 1085 while in Mainz the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV announced Vratislaus II to be king of Bohemia and Poland, Władysław did not object. He also never pursued the crown due to his subservient status. Władysław abandoned Polish alliance to Hungary, favored by his brother, and joined the anti papal camp. Władysław I Herman returned to paying tribute for Silesia to Bohemia. In addition Krakow and Cieszyn were ceded to the Czechs, Lubusz Land was lost to Germany while Przemysl Land in the east was lost to Halych-Ruthenia. Władysław I did attempt to regain the control of Pomerania, and through numerous expeditions was only temporarily (1090-1091) able to do so.
[edit] Voivode Sieciech’s Influence
Although Władysław was formally Dux and an overlord of Poland, in reality the Barons who banished his brother wanted to use this victory to strengthen their position. It is not surprising therefore, that within a short time Wladyslaw was forced to give up the reigns of government to his Count Palatine, (Polish: wojewoda) a high born noble named Sieciech. Sieciech’s administration of the realm was negatively perceived by those of the Barons who were not beneficiaries of the power shift. Sieciech’s rule was tyrranical which reflected negatively on his patron Władysław I Herman, and which led to further conspiracies among the magnates who pushed for Wladyslaw’s sons to take over portions of the country, which would diminish Sieciech’s influence. This plan succeeded and in circa A.D. 1100 Sieciech’s lands were confiscated while the palatine himself was stripped of his titles and exiled.
[edit] Churches Founded
Władysław founded several churches in Poland. Most notably he was the founder of the Romanesque Wawel Cathedral of which the Silver Bells Tower still remains standing. He was also very fond of Saint Giles (Polish: Idzi) to whom he founded no less than three churches: in Cracow, Inowlodz and Giebultow. This is attributed to the fact that while his second wife was expecting, he sent rich gifts to the Benedictine monastery of Saint Gilles in southern France, begging for a healthy child. When a boy was born, Wladyslaw began building churches in his honor. He also founded a church "on the sand" dedicated to Virgin Mary which was granted to the Carmelites.
[edit] Health Issues
According to Gallus Anonymus, Władysław long suffered from a debilitating ailment that affected his legs. There is also a legend which states that in 1086 Władysław was affected by a terrible pox, with abscesses that affected his nose and face. According to the legend Holy Virgin appeared in the duke's dream and led him to find the cure in the sandy area outside the city. Once healed Władysław founded a Church of Holiest Virgin Mary "on the sand" in the spot where he found the cure.
[edit] End of Reign and Succession
Władysław's two sons were eventually granted large districts where they were governors. In 1097 Zbigniew received Greater Poland and Kuyavia while Boleslaw received Lesser Poland and Silesia. The Duke remained the lord of Mazovia, and retained control of principal towns and cities. Soon thereafter Wladyslaw Herman passed away (A.D. 1102) without resolving the issue of succession, leaving his sons to struggle for supremacy. His body was interned in the Plock Cathedral.[1][2][3][4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Antoni Czubinski, Jerzy Topolski - "History of Poland" Ossolineum, Warsaw (1988)
- ^ Lech Bielski, Mariusz Traba – “Poczet Krolow i Ksiazat Polskich” Park, Bielsko-Biala (2005)
- ^ Przemysław Wiszewski, “Władysław Herman and his Epoch” Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, Wrocław (2002)
- ^ Gallus Anonymus – “Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum” (c.1115)
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