Boleslaw II the Bold: 1082 - 1101 (The Beginning of the Northern Campaigns and the Decline of House Estridsen)
A microcosm of Polish religious and internal policy
In 1082, Boleslaw II put much of his wealth from Turov to good use. He began construction on a grand church in Krakow. Completed in 1190, it would be known as the Kościół Mariacki (St. Mary's Basilica) and was one of the earliest Gothic churches in Europe- Poland had an independent Gothic style developing at about the same time in France. During construction, the church was reformed out of brick in about 1130; thus, the Kościół Mariacki was also one of the earliest examples of brick churches. On the hill of Wawel in Krakow alongside cathedrals built by Boleslaw's predecessors, construction began on a great library that was hoped to rival the Imperial Library of Constantinople, the only remaining great ancient library of the world. The Pope, Lando II, was invited to lay the foundation stone and did so in early November 1082. In private, the Pope asked if he could expect Boleslaw's support to strengthen the Church's position by allowing relative freedom for his church vassals- this was the first Landolphian reform, known as Libertas Ecclesiae- and Boleslaw wholeheartedly accepted.
These three events reflect the position of Poland at the time in regards to religion, reform, and the Papacy: both religion and "reform", or advancement, were viewed as necessary by Boleslaw II, who was at once pious and an erudite ruler. Poland strongly supported the Papacy, recalling its baptism not 150 years earlier. Technologically, Poland was also at the forefront of European advancement (although this isn't saying much). Poland obtained some higher-level technology through the more advanced Bulgar emirate, which traded occasionally with the Polish.
The state of Rus by 1083
In Rus, two dukes had largely come to power as many of the Ruriks died without heir or under suspicious circumstances- Duke Vladimir II ruled the Duchy of Rostov along with many others, while his half-brother, Mstislav ruled Novgorod. The two remaining independent dukes of Vitebsk and Ryazan had inheritances into Novgorod and Rostov, respectively. It appeared as if Rus was to unite again far sooner than many had hoped or expected.
The ambitious and intelligent Duke of Rostov
Vladimir II of Rostov (officially of Rostov, Vladimir, Kiev, Volhynia, Smolensk, and Pereyaslavl) controlled about half of Rus and was both ambitious and intelligent. By 1083 he had a good chance of actually creating the Kingdom of Russia provided inheritances went correctly. His ambition would prove his ultimate undoing, as he began to look outwards to the Cumans to the south, the Samoyeds to the north, and Poland to the west, believing his internal holdings to be secured and his position among his vassals strengthened. Around this time, it is also reported that Boleslaw instituted an elective succession. Although originally he nominated August Piast, his first son, he had nominated his second son, Mieszko, as successor by late 1090.
The natural death of August Piast, the unexplained murder of Boleslaw II's first wife Sigrid, and Boleslaw's second wife
In 1088, August Piast, the first son of Boleslaw II, died of what is now considered to be a massive brain hemorrhage at dinner- he was only 18 years old- and assassination was suspected at the time for finishing off a young prospect so early. Yet, August's line did not die out- he had already married to the daughter of the Count of Podlasie, Irina Bogolyubsky, and had one child, named Boleslaw. He would continue the main line of Piast.
On the 18th of February 1090 AD, Sigrid Estridsen, traveling from Poznan to Krakow after meeting with two of her sisters (who were also married to Piast men), was attacked by bandits and killed along with her guard of approximately 20 infantrymen. Inconsistencies in the attack include: what appeared to be wholesale slaughter of the guards and Sigrid and the wealth remaining in the wagons carried behind her were the two most damning. Although few accepted it in public (simply believing the death to be an unfortunate accident), Wladyslaw of Mazovia and Kuyavia consulted with Boleslaw II in private, and both firmly agreed: the Russians were the perpetrators. A week after the assassination, the two men met in the Archbishopric of Gniezno, and the archbishop, Bogumil, noted the meeting in his writings:
The two men, both of age, met with a stir. Boleslaw, the taller and more vibrant of the two men, greeted his younger brother graciously. However, it appeared as if something was off- a lack of light in his eye, perhaps. It was recorded that both men called for exacting of retribution on Vladimir II. In fact, Boleslaw II, the great King of Poland, turned to me and I was told that before my life would end I should see that the Rus was embarrassed and Vladimir II would have justice brought upon his head. When the two men exited, Boleslaw headed south for the nominal capital of Krakow and Wladyslaw headed west- to what lands I do not know.
- Bogumil Halicki of Gniezno, 1062 - 1145
Bogumil proved to be a long-lived man who saw much of the decisions of both Boleslaw II and his successor, and is one of the most reliable sources when dealing with the early kings of Poland.
In regards to where Wladyslaw went, he is recorded traveling to Moskva, the provincial capital of Rostov, and is said to have asked for Vladimir's sister's hand in marriage, which Vladimir graciously accepted. Queen Consort Agafya, as she came to be known, had immense numbers of claims on many parts of Rus, which would be passed down to the children of Boleslaw.
The declaration of war against Mecklenburg-Pommerania
The battle of Lubusz and postwar land management
With the support of the Pope Lando II and Vladimir II of Rostov, Boleslaw II launched a war for Pommerania against the heathen Duke of Mecklenburg in early 1093. As the much more powerful Duke of Brandenburg did not intervene in the conflict, Polish forces easily defeated the significantly smaller and less organized armies of Mecklenburg in one battle at Lubusz, in western Poland. The war was quickly over and Poland had expanded into Pomerania. The title of Duke was given to Boleslaw's last son with Sigrid who was also named Boleslaw. He was a bright and strong child- similar to Boleslaw II.
The death of Wladyslaw I and the beginning of the end for House Estridsen
Then, about 6 years later, Wladyslaw I passed away due to a short bout of sickness. He was of great service to Boleslaw II, having mentored two of his children (Mieszko and Boleslaw), having produced multiple heirs, and having created a second line of Piast. He died on October 21, 1099, and no expense was spared on his funeral. Supposedly, Odon I, Wladyslaw's successor and a masterful military general, told Boleslaw II that Wladyslaw's last wish was to have a Piast on the Danish throne. Asgerd I, the current Danish king of 30 years, was dead within the week and was succeeded by his infant son Harald- Boleslaw's grandnephew. Harald IV, as he was known, faced massive insurrections from inside his territory, backed by Norwegian forces. He would be the last Estridsen to rule the kingdom of Denmark.
The second war with Mecklenburg and Battle of Rugard
Boleslaw II, again with Russian and Papal support, declared war on Mecklenburg again, in mid-1100, in order to capture the Duchy of Mecklenburg for Catholicism. The Duchy of Brandenburg declared war on Poland in return, but was significantly weakened due to a recent war with Brunswick and could not raise its full levy of approximately 7000 troops- in fact, it could raise less than 2000. The small contingent of pagan troops was crushed at Rugard, again owing to the success of Polish heavy infantry.
However, although major contingents of Wend troops were eliminated, small insurgent forces-bandits- still lurked around. While crossing the river Uecker on March 3, 1101, Boleslaw's army was assaulted by a loosely organized band of Wend troops from the nearby castle of Waren. Boleslaw's horse was hit and ran wildly into the river, throwing him off about halfway across. The Wends were killed to the last man. Although Boleslaw was recovered further down the river, he died of secondary drowning a day later. On March 12, 1101, a week after the sacking of the county of Werle and two days after Boleslaw II's sudden death, Duke Mieszko I of Pomerania, who was with the late Boleslaw's army, was hastily crowned King Mieszko III of Poland in the castle of Waren.
Although quickly organized, the coronation of Mieszko III was fairly elaborate, owing to the wealth and efficiency of the Piast landholders
