The reign of Wladyslaw Jagiello (1386-1434)
The period between 1419-1421
Jagiellos first 3 years of rule was a time of Peace. The clergy seemed deeply moved because of the Hus uprising in Bohemia. At first it seemed that war was immenent. The King wasn't an extremly religous person but he thought of it as a wonderful excuse to regain Silesia and maybe pillage the rich Czech cities and thus increase Poland's treasury. But just as he began secret preperations for war, Hungary took control of Bohemia and Moravia, thus ending the kings lust for conquest. Jagiello wasn't going to risk loss of prestige among his subjects just for some religous non-sense. Futhermore he signed the treaty of Kiermark with Sigismund King of Hungary, leaving Hussite troubles to Polands southern neighbour.
But this didn't mean he was going to abandon foreign relations in other parts of Europe. In 1420 he sent a big diplomatic misson to Iberia and England which ended in royal marriages improving the Crowns relation in these regions.
In the meantime Poland gained some insight on early renaissance trade and infrastructure which ended in promoting baliffs to the newly founded position of tax collectors in all the provinces. In Cracow the peasents started a revolt opposing this improvement but were crushed by Polands army commanded by the king himself. But the revolt had destabilized the country a little for
sometime. And than a war broke out...
The war with Moldavia 1422-25
Because of a diplomatic scheme Moldavia stopped being Polands vassal in
1420. Jagiello decided not to get involved and allowed Moldavia full indepen-dence. But in 1422 Moldavia had killed two diplomats from Lithuania which re-sulted in a war between these two countries. Poland and Masovia joined there eastern ally. While Moldovia was joined by Wallachia. Polands army barely made it through to gallizien when the nobles, taking advantage of the situation, demanded privelages. The king tried to limit their desires,but the aristocracy still managed to gain power through the Czerwinsk and Warta Privelages. But the nobleman of Poznan and Wielkopolska revolted. So while the combined armies of Poland + allies under Jagiellos leadership were besieg-ing Moldova these provinces were in turmoil. Even though some armies were created to destroy the revolts they were unsuccessful in suppressing the re-volters. And worse yet Poznan and Wielkopolska fell and the revolters were moving torwards Cracow. After capturing Jassy the army of Poland returned to Cracow and crushed the revolters and regained the rebel provinces. But before polish infantry could stain their swords with the blood of the orthodox, the war with Moldavia was over and Lithuania had gained Bujak. The war had ended. A short period of peace followed...
Period between 1426-1428
In 1426 Lithuania again went to war this time with Tver, but although Poland had declared war they only sent supplys and arms to it's ally.
In 1427 the nobles again were keen on starting troubles this time between themselves. On the basis of religion the King was supposed to expel some no-bles form Wielkopolska. But he refused signing the Edict of Wielun claiming it was ridicoulus and that these nobles weren't dangerous. This led to an uproar in Bohemia, Hungary and the Papal States (losess in relations) which in turn had hurt Polands stability. But the upside was an increase of tax value in Wielkopolska and a gain of 500 citizens there. And then suddenly the war in the east took an unexpected turn...
The "The Encirclement War" 1428-33
It seemed Lithuania who was battling the alliance of Tver and Muscowy was winning thier war. In 1428 they overrun Tver and annxed the princedom. Mus-cowy was besieging many Lithuanian cities in the east but coudn't capture none, it seemed they were going to be on the run once the forces that had seized Tver were used against them. Then suddenly the Golden Horde declar-ed war on Lithuania, Masovia left the alliance, while Jagiello again decided to help Lithuania by means of supplying their army with equipment. Lithuania was going to have a though time fighting these two countries. And suddenly with the popes blessing the Teutonic Order declared war. They were allied with the Livonian Order and the Hungarians which meant that Poland and Lithuania were nearly completely encircled by enemies. The Hungarians had a powerful army of 42.000 soldiers next to the border with Poland. Jagiello increased his army to 16.000 and attacked Kustrin. Lithuania was somehow handling her incredible odds. For a few months the Hungarian King wasn't sure whether to attack Poland but finally he went into Wielkopolska. In the meantime Poland managed to make a white peace with Muscowy. They also sent a strong diplomatic mission to the neighbouring germanic countries (Branderburgia, Hinterpommerania etc.) ending in 5 royal marriages (Meclemburg declined). It turned out thatthe Hungarian army wasn't prepared for a long siege and were losing men to attrician. After conquering Kutrin a 16.000 Polish army lead by Jagiello met with a 24.000 Hungarian army. The battle ended with a Polish victory (thanks to a cavalry advantage and better leadership), practically equalising the army numbers (12.000 Polish soldiers compared to 15.000 Hungarian soldiers). But Poland were building up armys fast. The 12.000 army enterd Silesia while a new 9.000 army attacked Moravia. The 15.000 hungarian soldiers didn't have any will to fight demorali-sed after the Battle of Wielkopolska and were eradicated by the besieging armies. In 1430 the Golden Horde and Livonian Order signed a white peace with Lithuania. After capturing Silesia Jagiellos army headed for Moravia, but before it got there the Hungarians signed a peace. The terms were indemi-nities paid to Lithuania and giving Silesia to Poland. Poland decided to reclaim Silesia at the cost of relations with Bohemia.
In 1431 a combined polish army entered Danzig (12.000) and started besieg-ing the city. The siege lasts for 2 years. After Poland captures Danzig the Teutons sue for peace at the cost of Kustrin to Poland. Jagiello claims Kutrin which hurts relations with Brandenburg. The increased amount of money going to the Treasury during the war had created a small inflation (0.8%), but now things were back the way they were before the war. A time of peace now comes for a new stronger Poland...
The Kings last year of rule 1433-34
The foriegn courtier is becoming one of the Kings most trusted men. For his help during the war he was granted the title of Viscount. He also became the tutor of the Kings son Wladyslaw.
The King applied Polish laws in Galizien. This increases tax value in that pro-vince.
With Polands trade and infastructure now being High Renaissance Jagiello wants to build an art academy in the capitol to bring fame and prestige to his realm. After that would come a time to improve the fortresses throughout the country.
Wladyslaw II Jagiello never got to putting his plans into action. In 1434 he died of old age. But his son Wladyslaw was going to continue his fathers po-licies. It is said he will be listening to the advice of the Viscount who had be-come his most trusted friend...
Poland at the time of Wladyslaw II Jagiellos death.
