Heir of Leszek II

[Jan Olbracht]

POD is simple-Duke of Cracow Leszek Czarny (Leszek the Black) is not impotent and have a son from his marriage with Gryfina of Halych (Bolesław, born in 1270). So with reigning Duke of Cracow leaving adult son (IOTL Leszek died in 1288, but without OTL humiliation and less stress he could live a bit longer) upon his death said son is obvious heir of father. What else changes?
-IOTL throne of Cracow was contested between numerous dukes after childless death of Leszek (Henry the Righteous of Wrocław, Władysław Łokietek, Przemysł II of Greater Poland, Bolesław II of Mazovia and Czech King Wenceslaus II). ITTL succession should be more smooth, although Henry the Righteous is likely to still try his chance.
-Wenceslaus of Bohemia based his claim on will of Gryfina, who was his maternal aunt. That was really weak claim-Gryfina was consort of reigning Duke and lacked any rights to Cracow on her own, but thanks to his military strenght Wenceslaus was able to prevail over his rivals. ITTL Gryfina would certainly not support her Czech nephew against her own son.
-Przemysł II would not have opportunity to take royal insignia from Cracow, thus he would not be crowned. His coronation enraged Brandenburgians and costed him life-Brandenburgians murdered him in Rogoźno just few months later. ITTL Przemysł would not be king, but thanks to this he would at least make less enemies. Henry the Righteous also could avoid death, but it is unclear who poisoned him, if his Silesian cousins were responsible he could still be killed (other theory says, that a man whom Henry send to Rome with money to get Pope's permission for coronation has stolen that money and poisoned Duke to avoid consequences of Henry's wrath).
@krieger

 

[krieger]

POD is simple-Duke of Cracow Leszek Czarny (Leszek the Black) is not impotent and have a son from his marriage with Gryfina of Halych (Bolesław, born in 1270). So with reigning Duke of Cracow leaving adult son (IOTL Leszek died in 1288, but without OTL humiliation and less stress he could live a bit longer) upon his death said son is obvious heir of father. What else changes?
-IOTL throne of Cracow was contested between numerous dukes after childless death of Leszek (Henry the Righteous of Wrocław, Władysław Łokietek, Przemysł II of Greater Poland, Bolesław II of Mazovia and Czech King Wenceslaus II). ITTL succession should be more smooth, although Henry the Righteous is likely to still try his chance.
-Wenceslaus of Bohemia based his claim on will of Gryfina, who was his maternal aunt. That was really weak claim-Gryfina was consort of reigning Duke and lacked any rights to Cracow on her own, but thanks to his military strenght Wenceslaus was able to prevail over his rivals. ITTL Gryfina would certainly not support her Czech nephew against her own son.
-Przemysł II would not have opportunity to take royal insignia from Cracow, thus he would not be crowned. His coronation enraged Brandenburgians and costed him life-Brandenburgians murdered him in Rogoźno just few months later. ITTL Przemysł would not be king, but thanks to this he would at least make less enemies. Henry the Righteous also could avoid death, but it is unclear who poisoned him, if his Silesian cousins were responsible he could still be killed (other theory says, that a man whom Henry send to Rome with money to get Pope's permission for coronation has stolen that money and poisoned Duke to avoid consequences of Henry's wrath).
@krieger

I think that Przemysł's life is not safe ITTL too. We should notice that unification of Poland was not only a vision of one (or more) ruler/s, but also was supported and wanted by nobility. One of most vocal supporters of unification was Jakub Świnka, archbishop of Gniezno. He would not hesitate to hire assasins if the prince wasn't on his side. However, as long as Przemysł doesn't have sons, he can name young Bolesław his heir and (later) betroth his daughter to him and his life would be safe. If Przemysł got a son, than Świnka would have interest in killing him.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

I think that Przemysł's life is not safe ITTL too. We should notice that unification of Poland was not only a vision of one (or more) ruler/s, but also was supported and wanted by nobility. One of most vocal supporters of unification was Jakub Świnka, archbishop of Gniezno. He would not hesitate to hire assasins if the prince wasn't on his side. However, as long as Przemysł doesn't have sons, he can name young Bolesław his heir and (later) betroth his daughter to him and his life would be safe. If Przemysł got a son, than Świnka would have interest in killing him.

Marrying Ryksa to Bolesław Leszkowic (or his son) is good idea. Third wife of Przemysł was likely sterile (like first one, guy was really unlucky) so over time it would become obvious that Przemysł would not have other kids and marriage between heir of Lesser Poland and heiress of Greater Poland would bring long desired reunification.

 

[krieger]

Marrying Ryksa to Bolesław Leszkowic (or his son) is good idea. Third wife of Przemysł was likely sterile (like first one, guy was really unlucky) so over time it would become obvious that Przemysł would not have other kids and marriage between heir of Lesser Poland and heiress of Greater Poland would bring long desired reunification.

Question is - would Przemysł gladly accept his fate? If he still tried to have a son (and killed his other wife) he could be murdered by unification supporters.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

My plan is: in 1300 Przemysł dies in hunting accident (which may not be mere accident). Archbishop of Gniezno wants Duke of Lesser Poland to succeede him, that way two main provinces of Poland would be united under single rule. Bolesław VI Leszkowic marries Ryksa Elżbieta, heiress of Przemysł, who is marriagable by standards of the time ( I think Bolesław would marry much earlier, although he may be widower by 1300. Any candidates for his first wife? Perhaps Anna of Mazovia, daughter of Konrad II?).

 

[krieger]

My plan is: in 1300 Przemysł dies in hunting accident (which may not be mere accident). Archbishop of Gniezno wants Duke of Lesser Poland to succeede him, that way two main provinces of Poland would be united under single rule. Bolesław VI Leszkowic marries Ryksa Elżbieta, heiress of Przemysł, who is marriagable by standards of the time ( I think Bolesław would marry much earlier, although he may be widower by 1300. Any candidates for his first wife? Perhaps Anna of Mazovia, daughter of Konrad II?).

What about Pomerania in this scenario? Is Przemysł still going to get it? If Bolesław had a wife prior to Ryksa's enter on marriage market, he might have a son. Said son could marry Ryksa.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

What about Pomerania in this scenario? Is Przemysł still going to get it? If Bolesław had a wife prior to Ryksa's enter on marriage market, he might have a son. Said son could marry Ryksa.

Yes, Przemysł is still getting it, his treaty with Mściwoj was made long before his coronation and would not be affected. I preffer Bolesław himself married to Ryksa so let's say his first marriage ends with only daughters being born and before 1300 Bolesław is widower. Main opponent of Bolesław in Greater Poland would be Henryk of Głogów (although Bolesław, being stronger than Łokietek after OTL death of Przemysł, should easily prevail.

 

[krieger]

Yes, Przemysł is still getting it, his treaty with Mściwoj was made long before his coronation and would not be affected. I preffer Bolesław himself married to Ryksa so let's say his first marriage ends with only daughters being born and before 1300 Bolesław is widower. Main opponent of Bolesław in Greater Poland would be Henryk of Głogów (although Bolesław, being stronger than Łokietek after OTL death of Przemysł, should easily prevail.

I doubt. Henry of Głogów thinking that he had rights to Greater Poland was a direct consequence of treaties made between Przemysł and Henry the Righteous. Without Cracow throne being empty, these treaties would never be made.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

I doubt. Henry of Głogów thinking that he had rights to Greater Poland was a direct consequence of treaties made between Przemysł and Henry the Righteous. Without Cracow throne being empty, these treaties would never be made.

Still, Henry is Przemysł's cousin and ambitious man, he would try at least opportunist landgrab.

 

[krieger]

Still, Henry is Przemysł's cousin and ambitious man, he would try at least opportunist landgrab.

Przemysł's cousins are very, very numerous at that time - it is no claim. And if Henry the Righteous lives longer, we cannot exclude the possibility that Henry of Głogów will fight over Wrocław princedom, which was granted to him by Righteous. Wrocław's nobility wouldn't accept Henry of Głogów, but it wouldn't stop him.