Zbigniew (also known as Zbygniew; c. 1073 â 8 July 1113?), was a duke of Poland (in Greater Poland, Kuyavia and Masovia) during 1102âÂÂ1107. He was the first-born son of Wà Âadysà Âaw I Herman and Przecà Âawa, possibly a member of the Prawdzic family.
Zbigniew was considered illegitimate, and after the birth of his half-brother Bolesà Âaw Wrymouth was set on an ecclesiastical career. At the end of the 11th century, when real power in the country was held by the Palatine Sieciech, the opposition of some Silesian magnates caused the return of Zbigniew to Poland and forced Wà Âadysà Âaw I to recognize him as his successor. The intrigues of Sieciech and Wà Âadysà Âaw I's second wife Judith Maria caused Zbigniew and his younger half-brother to become allies, and both in the end forced their father to divide the country between them and to exile the Palatine.
After the death of his father, Zbigniew obtained the northern part of the country as an equal ruler with Bolesà Âaw. However, conflicts between them arose, because Zbigniew, as the elder, considered himself the sole rightful heir of the kingdom. He began to search for allies against Bolesà Âaw. During 1102âÂÂ1106 a fratricidal war for supremacy ensued, in which Zbigniew suffered complete defeat and was forced to go into exile in Germany. Under the pretext of restoring him, Emperor Henry V invaded Poland in 1109, but was defeated at Gà Âogów.
In subsequent years, Boleslaw failed to defeat Bohemia, and in 1111 had to make peace with it and with his overlord, the Emperor. One of the conditions of Henry V was the return of Zbigniew to Poland, where he received a minor domain. Shortly after his return Zbigniew was blinded, and then died.
According to 15th-century reports, Wà Âadysà Âaw I Herman married a Pole, a member of the Prawdzic family. This union took place ca. 1070 under Slavic rites without a church ceremony. Some scholars argue that the marriage, although made under pagan rites, was lawful. They claim that not until the end of the 12th century did the Papal legate Peter of Capua, who stayed in Poland during 1197, order that only marriages performed under Church rites (Latin: matrimonium in facie ecclesie contrahere) would be considered as legitimate, following the writings of the Rocznik krakowsk.
The exact birth date of Wà Âadysà Âaw I Herman's first-born son is unknown. According to Oswald Balzer, Zbigniew was born in the first half of the 1070s, and Gerard Labuda agrees a birth date in the early 1070s, while Roman Grodecki argues for Zbigniew's birth taking place around 1073, and Kazimierz Jasià Âski for a birth date between 1070 and 1073.
Zbigniew's legitimacy was questioned in the later years of his life, when it was bruited abroad that he was the son of Wà Âadysà Âaw I's concubine. Despite this Zbigniew grew up in Wà Âadysà Âaw I's court and in the absence of others, was recognized as his father's heir.
In 1079 after his older brother Bolesà Âaw II the Generous was deposed, Wà Âadysà Âaw I became the ruler of Poland. By this time he had probably already had Masovia as his own separate district. According to historians, the new ruler was quickly noted as incompetent, and the population began to miss the achievements of the exiled Prince. In 1080, Wà Âadysà Âaw I married Princess Judith, daughter of Duke Vratislaus II of Bohemia; Przecà Âawa, his first (but unrecognized according to the Church) wife was then banished from court. The elevation of his father to the Princely throne, the departure of his mother, who was sent with her family meant for young Zbigniew his removal from the first place in the succession. Around 1086 Wà Âadysà Âaw I's rule in Poland was threatened by the coronation of his father-in-law Vratislaus II as King of Bohemia and Poland, who at the same time concluded an alliance with King Ladislaus I of Hungary.
Wà Âadysà Âaw I's legitimacy was questioned by the supporters of the exiled Bolesà Âaw II and his only son and rightful heir, Mieszko Bolesà Âawowic. Afraid of losing his position, in 1086 Wà Âadysà Âaw I recalled his nephew (and his mother) from their Hungarian exile. Mieszko received the district of Kraków and later married (1088) a Rurikid princess. These moves led the opposition to stop questioning the legality of Wà Âadysà Âaw I's rule. The situation was further complicated by the prince because he didn't have a legitimate son. Zbigniew, his first-born son, couldn't be considered as heir, because he was a product of a union not recognized by the Church.
In 1086, Judith of Bohemia finally gave birth to a son, the future Bolesà Âaw III Wrymouth, and with this Zbigniew's situation changed dramatically. In that year, he was placed in the Canonry of Kraków, despite being too young to be ordained a priest. This position was likely arranged by Judith of Bohemia to keep Zbigniew away from the line of succession. Dowager Duchess Maria Dobroniega, Zbigniew's paternal grandmother, guided his ecclesiastical studies. It's known that the first teacher of Zbigniew was Otto, who later became Bishop of Bamberg. In addition to the religious teachings, he taught him dialectic, grammar and the works of Isidore of Seville. Due to his young age, Zbigniew hadn't received the customary priestly journey.
A few months after the birth of her son, Judith of Bohemia died. In 1089 Wà Âadysà Âaw I married again. The chosen bride was Judith Maria, sister of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor and widow of the ex-King Solomon of Hungary; she was renamed Sophia, perhaps to distinguish herself from Wà Âadysà Âaw I's first wife. Zbigniew's relationship with her was a cold one.
The position of Bolesà Âaw as legitimate heir was still threatened by Mieszko Bolesà Âawowic, who was popular with the Polish aristocracy. This probably contributed to his death in 1089, allegedly poisoned by order of Sieciech and Judith Maria. In that year, Zbigniew was sent to Saxony, thanks to the intrigues of his new stepmother. Once there he was placed in Quedlinburg Abbey, where Judith Maria's sister Adelaide was Abbess. Probably while there he was finally ordained a priest. As taking holy orders would render Zbigniew ineligible for the succession, Wà Âadysà Âaw I hoped to eliminate the two main pretenders to the throne, secure the inheritance of his legitimate son Bolesà Âaw and weaken the growing opposition against him.
During the stay of Zbigniew in Quedlinburg, his father Wà Âadysà Âaw I became dependent on his supporter, Count Palatine Sieciech, to whom Wà Âadysà Âaw probably owed his throne. Sieciech was also the first guardian of Bolesà Âaw, still a minor. In his intrigues to take over control of the country, the Palatine was supported by the Prince's wife Judith Maria.
In 1090, Sieciech, with his militia, took control of Gdaà Âsk Pomerania. Wà Âadysà Âaw I prevented further actions through fortification of major towns and burning of others. Several months later, a rebellion of the elite of Gdaà Âsk restored their independence. In the autumn of 1091, Polish and Bohemian militia made a further but unsuccessful invasion of Pomerania which culminated in a battle at the Wda river.
During this time, Polish policy was focused on Kievan Rus'. The Rurikid princes of the Rostislavich line, then in power in Russia, didn't recognise Polish sovereignty, and invaded Poland repeatedly, especially Prince Vasilko of Terebovlia, allied with the Kipchaks. Sieciech was installed as the effective ruler of Poland. He demonstrated this by minting his own coin and consolidated his position by appointing his supporters to the judiciary. The main motivation of Sieciech was his lust for power and wealth, and adopted violent methods to achieve them. The repressive actions of Sieciech (selling into slavery, removal from offices, sentences of exile) caused a massive political emigration from Polish territories to Bohemia.
The consequence of Sieciech's actions was a growing opposition against his rule. In 1093, a group of powerful Silesian lords kidnapped Zbigniew and returned him to Poland. Initially, Zbigniew was protected by Magnus, the Castellan of Wrocà Âaw. Wà Âadysà Âaw I took this as a clear revolt against him. The knighthood, who supported Zbigniew, broke off all negotiations with Sieciech and Wà Âadysà Âaw I when news reached them about the disloyal behaviour of some Hungarian knights, who abducted both Sieciech and Bolesà Âaw. This forced Wà Âadysà Âaw I to issue an act of legitimization which recognized Zbigniew as his son, member of the Piast dynasty and rightful successor.
By 1096, Sieciech and Bolesà Âaw had escaped from Hungary and launched an expedition against Silesia and Kujawy to overturn the act of legitimization. Zbigniew steadfastly defied the advance of Wà Âadysà Âaw I and Sieciech's troops. However, despite the help of Pomeranian troops, Zbigniew was defeated at the Battle of Goplo. He was captured and imprisoned until the intervention of the Church secured his release on 1 May 1097 at the consecration of the rebuilt Gniezno Cathedral. At the same time, the act of legitimization was reinstated.
After the intrigues of Sieciech and Judith Maria to take power had been discovered, Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw became allies. In 1098, both princes forced Wà Âadysà Âaw I to give them separate provinces. Wà Âadysà Âaw I conceded and made a formal division of his lands.
Zbigniew received Greater Poland (including Gniezno), Kuyavia, à ÂÃÂczyca and Sieradz Land. Bolesà Âaw received Lesser Poland, Silesia, Lubusz Land and probably Sandomierz and Lublin on the Bug River (near Brzeà Âànad Bugiem). Wà Âadysà Âaw I kept Masovia and its capital, Pà Âock as well as major cities including Wrocà Âaw, Kraków and Sandomierz.
The division of Poland and the admission of Wà Âadysà Âaw I's sons as co-rulers worried Sieciech. He feared that this could weaken his position. According to historiography, it remains unclear why Wà Âadysà Âaw I supported Sieciech rather than his sons. Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw renewed their alliance and prepared for war. This renewal was formalised by the magnate Skarbimir at the Wiec in Wrocà Âaw. It was then decided that nobleman Wojsà Âaw Powaà Âa (a relative of Sieciech) be removed as Bolesà Âaw's guardian and that an expedition against the Palatine be organized. In 1099 the opposing forces met in a battle at the river Pilica near Zarnowiec. Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw prevailed. The defeated Wà Âadysà Âaw I agreed to permanently remove Sieciech from his position.
A few months later, Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw attacked Sieciechów, where the Palatine was hidden. Surprisingly, Wà Âadysà Âaw I, with a little army came to aid Sieciech. In this situation, the princes decided to deposed their father. In a campaign to encircle Sieciech and Wà Âadysà Âaw I, Zbigniew marched against Masovia, where he took control of Pà Âock, while Boà Âeslaw was directed to the South, where he could conquer Lesser Poland. However, Wà Âadysà Âaw I predicted the maneuvers of his sons and directed his forces to Masovia. The definitive battle between both armies took place near Pà Âock. Wà Âadysà Âaw I was defeated and forced to exile Sieciech from the country. Martin I, Archbishop of Gniezno. also took a major part in the disagreements between Wà Âadysà Âaw I and his sons. The Palatine left Poland around 1100âÂÂ1101 and went to Germany. He returned to Poland a few years later, but didn't play any political role. He may have been blinded. Wà Âadysà Âaw I died on 4 June 1102.
The division of the country between Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw III gave both princes full control over their respective districts. From the lands of Wà Âadysà Âaw I, Zbigniew received Masovia (with Pà Âock) and Bolesà Âaw III received Sandomierz. However, disputes began between both rulers over seniority. Zbigniew considered himself the senior ruler, and believed this reflected the general view.
The provinces of Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw III operated as separate states with their own internal and foreign policies, leading to discord between the two rulers. In their districts the brothers allied with the local nobility. Each of them sought foreign allies. Pomerania became a contentious issue between them, because Bolesà Âaw III made military incursions in order to expand there. Zbigniew, on the other hand, wanted to maintain good economic and political relations with Pomerania. In one of Bolesà Âaw's first organized expeditions to Pomerania, Zbigniew managed to persuade the knighthood not to participate, which enraged the junior ruler. However, this situation didn't last, because in the next few months the knights were again in favor of Bolesà Âaw's expeditions and accompanied him several times to the West (including Prussia). In autumn of 1102 Wrymouth organized an expedition, during which his Druà ¼yna (army) captured Biaà Âogard.
The Pomeranians retaliated by attacking Zbigniew, who at that point allied with Bohemia in order to pressure Bolesà Âaw III to make piece. Instead, the junior prince made alliances with Hungary and Kievan Rus', the latter sealed by his marriage to Zbyslava, daughter of Grand Prince Sviatopolk II of Kiev in 1103. Zbigniew declined to attend the wedding, seeing in this union a direct threat against him. Zbigniew bribed Borivoj II of Bohemia to invade Bolesà Âaw III's lands. Bolesà Âaw III reacted by ravaging and looting the Pomeranian border regions and Moravia; after this, in exchange for a huge payment, Borivoj II ended his alliance with Zbigniew. The incursions in 1103âÂÂunsuccessful battle for Koà ÂobrzegâÂÂand during 1104âÂÂ1105 effectively destroyed Zbigniew's peaceful relationship with Pomerania.
In 1105, Zbigniew and Bolesà Âaw III agreed to compromise in matters of foreign policy. However, with respect to Pomerania, the agreement (called the Tyniec Accord) failed. The following year, Zbigniew refused to help his brother in his fight against the Pomeranians. In retaliation, and with the help of his Kievan and Hungarian allies, Bolesà Âaw III attacked ZbigniewâÂÂs lands, triggering a civil war over the overlordship. The combined army took Kalisz, Gniezno, Spycimierz and Leczyca without difficulty. Bolesà Âaw III also captured Archbishop Martin I of Gniezno, Zbigniew's primary ally. In à ÂÃÂczyca, through the mediation of the Bishop of Kraków, Baldwin, Zbigniew capitulated. Bolesà Âaw III became the 'High Duke of all Poland', and gained from Zbigniew the regions of Greater Poland, Kuyavia, à ÂÃÂczyca and Sieradz Land. Zbigniew retained Masovia as a fiefdom.
In 1107 Zbigniew organized a rebellion after refusing to burn the fortress of Kurów in Puà Âawy. Bolesà Âaw III used this rebellion and the prior failure to provide him with military support in his campaign against Pomerania as excuses to attack Zbigniew.
In the winter of 1107âÂÂ1108, Bolesà Âaw III and his Kievan-Hungarian allies attacked Masovia. Zbigniew was forced to surrender and was exiled from the country. Since then, Bolesà Âaw III became the sole ruler over all Poland. The actual transfer of power took place the year before (1107) when Zbigniew was still in Masovia, when he paid complete homage to his brother for his land. Initially, Zbigniew took refuge in Prague, where he gained the support of the local ruler, Svatopluk.
The immediate cause of the Polish-German War of 1109 was Bolesà Âaw's attack on Bohemia in 1108, which thwarted a planned German-Bohemian expedition against Hungary. This resulted in a joint expedition against Bolesà Âaw by Emperor Henry V and his Bohemian allies. However, the Emperor used the claims of the exiled Zbigniew as a secondary pretext. Henry made an ultimatum to Bolesà Âaw III: surrender half of Poland to Zbigniew, formally recognize the Holy Roman Empire as overlord, and pay a regular tribute of 300 pieces of fine silver or provide 300 knights on military expeditions.
Hostilities began in Silesia. Bolesà Âaw III conducted a highly effective guerrilla war against the Holy Roman Emperor and his allies, and eventually he defeated them at the Battle of Hundsfeld on 24 August 1109, although the existence of this battle is doubted by historians because it was first recorded about a century later. The sources don't reveal whether Zbigniew took direct part in the expedition.
In 1110, Bolesà Âaw III campaigned unsuccessfully against Bohemia. His intention was to install yet another pretender on the Czech throne, SobÃÂslav I, who sought refuge in Poland. He won a decisive victory against the Czechs at the Battle of Trutina on 8 October 1110; however, following the battle, he broke off the campaign. The reason for this is speculated to be the unpopularity of SobÃÂslav I among Czechs as well as Bolesà Âaw IIIâÂÂs unwillingness to further damage his relations with the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1111 Duke Vladislav I of Bohemia and Bolesà Âaw III negotiated a truce, under which both SobÃÂslav I and Zbigniew would be returned their homelands. Once in Poland, Zbigniew received a grant of land, probably Sieradz.
Bolesà Âaw III probably agreed to the return of his half-brother as a result of pressure from the many supporters of the exiled prince in 1108, who, according to the reports of Gallus Anonymus, was surrounded by bad advisers (likely including Martin I, Archbishop of Gniezno). Once in Poland, Zbigniew claimed sovereignty over his previous domains at the instigation of this group. The first step towards this was his presence in the Advent ceremonial (forbidden to him after he recognized Bolesà Âaw as his overlord in à ÂÃÂczyca in 1107), which is reserved for rulers. Zbigniew arrived surrounded by attendants, a sword carried before him. This was likely perceived by Boleslaw III as an act of treason and caused a definitive breach in their relationship. These factors likely influenced Bolesà Âaw III's decision to have Zbigniew blinded, in 1112.
Bolesà Âaw III was excommunicated by Archbishop Martin I, whom remained as strong a supporter of Zbigniew as ever. The crime committed against Zbigniew launched a political crisis in the Piast monarchy, and caused public outrage. The sources don't provide information on whether Bolesà Âaw III was indeed excluded from the community of the Church.
Bolesà Âaw III then probably decided to make a public penance as a result of the negative public response to Zbigniew's blinding. His aim was to rebuild his weakened authority and gain the favor of the supporters of his brother. According to Gallus Anonymous, Bolesà Âaw III, after his repentance, asked and received Zbigniew's forgiveness.
Little is known of the death of Zbigniew. K. Jasià Âski, in the pages of his publication Rodowód pierwszych Piastów, advocated an immediate death after the blinding, like S. KÃÂtrzyà Âski, but didn't exclude the opposite view. J. Bieniak assumed, however, that Zbigniew's death came after 1114. An interesting reference contained in an obituary from the Benedictine monastery in Lubin recorded the death on 8 July 1113 of a monk from Tyniec Abbey called "Brother Zbigniew". This obituary helped historians form a hypothesis that this was Bolesà Âaw III's brother. The place of burial is recorded as the Benedictine monastery of Tyniec.