Władysław III Spindleshanks

Władysław III. Thin leg (Polish Władysław III Laskonogi; * 1161, † November 3, 1231 ) was the youngest son of the Duke Mieszko III. from his marriage to Eudoxia of Kiev; Duke in Greater Poland 1194-1229, Senior Duke of Poland to Krakow 1202-1206, 1228-1229; from the House of Piast.

Life

As the sole of Mieszko III. he survived the father of five sons and could succeed him. After his father's death in 1202 Władysław could climb using the small Polish magnates the Cracow throne, but soon lost his followers, and had already in 1206 evacuate the Polish capital in favor of his cousin Leszek. He ruled now only in the province of Greater Poland, but even there he soon encountered insurmountable difficulties because of Erbstreites with his only nephew Władysław Odonic. A second dispute arose with the Gniezno Archbishop Henryk Kietlicz whose pursuit it was freeing the Church of the ducal investiture. On Władysław side was the majority of the large Polish clergy, so anathema Kietlicz 's and a papal excommunication 1214 remained ineffective.

1216 Władysław reconciled with the Archbishop and his nephew Władysław Odonic, which was returned to the rule of Kalisz, soon after, succeeded Władysław III. However, in collaboration with the dukes of Leszek Lesser Poland and Henry of Silesia 's nephew to drive again. 1223-1227 sparked Odonic with the help of the Duke of Pomerania, Swantopolk II, a new war against the uncle, which in 1227 almost the whole of Great Poland lost. Through the initiative Leszeks it was agreed for the November 1227 a meeting of the Piast in Gąsawa that should solve the problems; However, a raid by Duke Leszek Swantopolk cost life while Henry of Silesia, badly wounded, managed to escape by accident. Władysław had failed to appear on time; This circumstance saved his life.

In May 1228 Władysław thin leg was chosen for the second time Senior Duke in Krakow, but again had trouble with Władysław Odonic, which he eventually had to give Greater Poland in 1229, and with his cousin, the Duke Konrad of Mazovia, to whom he Sieradz, Łęczyca and Little Poland lost with Krakow and Sandomierz.

Władysław died towards the end of the year 1231 in the Silesian exile. To his heir, he declared Henry of Silesia, who was his second cousin.

Marriage and issue

He was married to the Princess Lucja, daughter of Prince Jaromar of Rügen since 1186. The marriage remained childless.