Bolesław V is not chaste

[Jan Olbracht]

Bolesław V, Duke of Cracow, was last member of Piast line of Lesser Poland. He died childless, because his wife, Saint Kinga, took vows of chasity. Thus Bolesław V named his cousin Leszek the Black from Cuiavian Piast line as his successor. Leszek happened to be impotent, thus he also died childless in 1288. After his death Cracow was contested by several candidates, among them were future Kings of Poland-Przemysł II (who retreated from Cracow eventually, but took Royal insignia from Wawel Castle with him and was crowned as King of Poland in 1295), Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (who was nephew of Leszek's wife Gryfina and claimed the throne of Cracow, stating, that his aunt named him successor, really weak claim, but supported by Czech military strenght, he prevailed over other candidates) and Leszek's half-brother Władysław Łokietek, who, thanks to chain of events unfortunate to his opponents, but really lucky for him, eventually became King of Reunited Kingdom of Poland, after long line of his competitors (Przemysł II, Wenceslaus II and III, Henry the Righteous, Henry of Głogów) were eaten by worms.
ITTL that chain of events would never happen. Duchess Kinga dies in early 1259 (perhaps too much fasting or praying in cold chapel?), enabling Bolesław to remarry. Bolesław marries again in 1261 and his new wife is Eufrozyna of Greater Poland, daughter of Przemysł I and niece of Bolesław the Pious, with whom Bolesław the Chaste was allied against Cuiavians (and whose wife was sister of Kinga). From that marriage five children were born: three sons *Leszek, b. 1264, later called Leszek Wielki (Leszek the Great) and Leszek Zjednoczyciel.
*Two sons, who died in infancy (Bolesław, b. 1268, Przemysł, b. 1270).
*Daughters: Elżbieta, b.1273
. His surviving children would play important role in Poland's history, and not only Poland's. Hungarian, Czech and German history also would be significantly changed soon...

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Short prediction of future events: thanks to son of Bolesław V Lesser Poland have her own Piast line, like other regions of Poland, thus there would not be such rotation of rulers like IOTL. Leszek II Bolesławic is obvious successor of his fathet (who, due to less stress, lives a bit longer, say to 1281). Czech King has no opportunity to take Cracow, Władysław Łokietek, Przemysł II and Henryk Probus also had no occassion to take control over Lesser Poland. Przemysł II would not be King of Poland, Royal Insignia would remain in Cracow (thus, he would also have less enemies in Greatet Poland and Brandenburg and could avoid murder, but let's assume he still dies in 1296, jus for different reason, like hunting accident). In such situation (if Przemysł II still have no sons) Leszek of Cracow, who is his nephew, is his most likely successor (he would have not only close blood connections with Przemysł, but also support of the Church, especially Archbishop of Gniezno Jakub Świnka, who was staunch supporter of reunification of Poland and would love to see Greater and Lesser Poland united under one ruler). Thus by the end of 13th century Leszek would have Greater and Lesser Poland and Pomerelia under his rule, support of Archbishop, should not have much problem with getting Royal title. Meanwhile:
-Andrew III of Hungary would not marry Fennena of Cuiavia without her ucle Władysław Łokietek struggling for control of Lesser Poland, I'd expect Andrew to marry Elizabeth, ITTL daughter of Bolesław V. I assume, that Leszek II, like his father, would keep good relations with Arpads. That means butterfly effect could save Arpads, and not only Arpads...
-without opportunity to gain Polish and Hungarian thrones Premyslids would have less enemies, thus they could survive longer too.

 

[krieger]

Bolesław V, Duke of Cracow, was last member of Piast line of Lesser Poland. He died childless, because his wife, Saint Kinga, took vows of chasity. Thus Bolesław V named his cousin Leszek the Black from Cuiavian Piast line as his successor. Leszek happened to be impotent, thus he also died childless in 1288. After his death Cracow was contested by several candidates, among them were future Kings of Poland-Przemysł II (who retreated from Cracow eventually, but took Royal insignia from Wawel Castle with him and was crowned as King of Poland in 1295), Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (who was nephew of Leszek's wife Gryfina and claimed the throne of Cracow, stating, that his aunt named him successor, really weak claim, but supported by Czech military strenght, he prevailed over other candidates) and Leszek's half-brother Władysław Łokietek, who, thanks to chain of events unfortunate to his opponents, but really lucky for him, eventually became King of Reunited Kingdom of Poland, after long line of his competitors (Przemysł II, Wenceslaus II and III, Henry the Righteous, Henry of Głogów) were eaten by worms.
ITTL that chain of events would never happen. Duchess Kinga dies in early 1259 (perhaps too much fasting or praying in cold chapel?), enabling Bolesław to remarry. Bolesław marries again in 1261 and his new wife is Eufrozyna of Greater Poland, daughter of Przemysł I and niece of Bolesław the Pious, with whom Bolesław the Chaste was allied against Cuiavians (and whose wife was sister of Kinga). From that marriage four children were born: three sons *Leszek, b. 1264, later called Leszek Wielki (Leszek the Great) and Leszek Zjednoczyciel.
*Two sons, who died in infancy (Bolesław, b. 1268, Przemysł, b. 1270).
*Daughter Elżbieta (b. 1273). His surviving children would play important role in Poland's history, and not only Poland's. Hungarian, Czech and German history also would be significantly changed soon...

He'd called (after the coronation) Lech II (and even maybe not II, the medieval Poles took the Kadłubek's chronicle about origins of Poland as a literal truth, so he would be Lech IV - it's not without example IOTL, Swedes also counted fictional characters among their kings). Still, he would be very busy during his reign -newly made king Lech IV would need to secure the loyalty of Silesian and Mazovian (and there is a question if Henry the Righteous isn't poisoned ITTL) and deal with Pomerania (is Sobiesławic family going to die out ITTL still?) and this would fulfill the rest of his reign. Still, if he managed to do this all and gave Poland in the non-questioned borders of Bolesław III to his clear succesor, he'd be a really great King.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

He'd called (after the coronation) Lech II (and even maybe not II, the medieval Poles took the Kadłubek's chronicle about origins of Poland as a literal truth, so he would be Lech IV - it's not without example IOTL, Swedes also counted fictional characters among their kings). Still, he would be very busy during his reign -newly made king Lech IV would need to secure the loyalty of Silesian and Mazovian (and there is a question if Henry the Righteous isn't poisoned ITTL) and deal with Pomerania (is Sobiesławic family going to die out ITTL still?) and this would fulfill the rest of his reign. Still, if he managed to do this all and gave Poland in the non-questioned borders of Bolesław III to his clear succesor, he'd be a really great King.

Sobiesławic family is unaffected by POD, Mściwoj II dies in 1294 without sons and is succeeded by Przemysł II, who in turn is succeeded by Leszek two years later. There is no loss of Pomerelia (reunification happens earlier and by 1308 Leszek is already crowned as King, it is not OTL, where Poland was in chaos after death of Wenceslaus and divided between Łokietek and Henry of Głogów, Brandenburgians would not dare to attack Kingdom of Poland) and chances of getting back Silesia in the future also increase, because Bohemia would not be ruled by House of Luxembourg, which IOTL combined Bohemian, Imperial and Brandenburgian thrones.

 

[krieger]

Sobiesławic family is unaffected by POD, Mściwoj II dies in 1294 without sons and is succeeded by Przemysł II, who in turn is succeeded by Leszek two years later. There is no loss of Pomerelia (reunification happens earlier and by 1308 Leszek is already crowned as King, it is not OTL, where Poland was in chaos after death of Wenceslaus and divided between Łokietek and Henry of Głogów, Brandenburgians would not dare to attack Kingdom of Poland) and chances of getting back Silesia in the future also increase, because Bohemia would not be ruled by House of Luxembourg, which IOTL combined Bohemian, Imperial and Brandenburgian thrones.

But if Wenceslas II never takes action in Greater Poland, it means that he never achieves any influence in Silesia (IOTL he forced Silesian princes to be his vassals, because he needed a route to Cracow). OK so how would you see the relationship between Leszek's descendants and Teutonic Order? Is there a chance of peaceful cohabitation, or even a long-lasting alliance against Lithuanians (who were pillaging Mazovia and Lublin Uppland, and it'd be definitely not up to Leszek and his descendants).

 

[Jan Olbracht]

OK so how would you see the relationship between Leszek's descendants and Teutonic Order? Is there a chance of peaceful cohabitation, or even a long-lasting alliance against Lithuanians (who were pillaging Mazovia and Lublin Uppland, and it'd be definitely not up to Leszek and his descendants).

Alliance between Poland and Teutonic Order is very likely, almost obvious. Over time TO, which is weaker than IOTL, could be even vassalized by Poland. Lithuania OTOH is, and would remain, Poland's enemy.

 

[krieger]

Alliance between Poland and Teutonic Order is very likely, almost obvious. Over time TO, which is weaker than IOTL, could be even vassalized by Poland. Lithuania OTOH is, and would remain, Poland's enemy.

This is very likely. But who could Leszek (Lech IV) marry? Maybe Kunigunde of Bohemia, a daughter of Przemysł Ottokar II (age-wise she'd be an ideal bride for Leszek, she would secure also a southern border).

 

[Jan Olbracht]

This is very likely. But who could Leszek (Lech IV) marry? Maybe Kunigunde of Bohemia, a daughter of Przemysł Ottokar II (age-wise she'd be an ideal bride for Leszek, she would secure also a southern border).

Perhaps, such marriage could happen just before death of Ottokar (whom Bolesław supported at time of Dürnkrut.

 

[krieger]

Perhaps, such marriage could happen just before death of Ottokar (whom Bolesław supported at time of Dürnkrut.

OK, so by the time of coronation he'd be in much better position than Łokietek - he could have a lot of children before. And who would Bolesław II of Mazovia marry instead of Kunigunde married to his Cracow cousin?

 

[Jan Olbracht]

OK, so by the time of coronation he'd be in much better position than Łokietek - he could have a lot of children before. And who would Bolesław II of Mazovia marry instead of Kunigunde married to his Cracow cousin?

Perhaps OTL wife of Łokietek?

 

[krieger]

Perhaps OTL wife of Łokietek?

Seems plausible, but who could Łokietek marry? Or we can instead make Łokietek (with his quarrelsome personality it is more than likely that he would piss off someone important) flee to TO and even become Grand Master some day ?

 

[kasumigenx]

Bolesław V, Duke of Cracow, was last member of Piast line of Lesser Poland. He died childless, because his wife, Saint Kinga, took vows of chasity. Thus Bolesław V named his cousin Leszek the Black from Cuiavian Piast line as his successor. Leszek happened to be impotent, thus he also died childless in 1288. After his death Cracow was contested by several candidates, among them were future Kings of Poland-Przemysł II (who retreated from Cracow eventually, but took Royal insignia from Wawel Castle with him and was crowned as King of Poland in 1295), Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (who was nephew of Leszek's wife Gryfina and claimed the throne of Cracow, stating, that his aunt named him successor, really weak claim, but supported by Czech military strenght, he prevailed over other candidates) and Leszek's half-brother Władysław Łokietek, who, thanks to chain of events unfortunate to his opponents, but really lucky for him, eventually became King of Reunited Kingdom of Poland, after long line of his competitors (Przemysł II, Wenceslaus II and III, Henry the Righteous, Henry of Głogów) were eaten by worms.
ITTL that chain of events would never happen. Duchess Kinga dies in early 1259 (perhaps too much fasting or praying in cold chapel?), enabling Bolesław to remarry. Bolesław marries again in 1261 and his new wife is Eufrozyna of Greater Poland, daughter of Przemysł I and niece of Bolesław the Pious, with whom Bolesław the Chaste was allied against Cuiavians (and whose wife was sister of Kinga). From that marriage five children were born: three sons *Leszek, b. 1264, later called Leszek Wielki (Leszek the Great) and Leszek Zjednoczyciel.
*Two sons, who died in infancy (Bolesław, b. 1268, Przemysł, b. 1270).
*Daughters: Elżbieta, b.1273
. His surviving children would play important role in Poland's history, and not only Poland's. Hungarian, Czech and German history also would be significantly changed soon...

One of his children could marry a daughter Rudolf I of Germany...Clementia comes to mind..

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Seems plausible, but who could Łokietek marry? Or we can instead make Łokietek (with his quarrelsome personality it is more than likely that he would piss off someone important) flee to TO and even become Grand Master some day ?

Łokietek could be obstacle for Leszek, as his lands are located between Greater and Lesser Poland, so he had to be subjugated.
What I'm not sure about is the fate of Przemysł II's daughter (who is first cousin of Leszek). What he should do with her?

 

[kasumigenx]

Łokietek could be obstacle for Leszek, as his lands are located between Greater and Lesser Poland, so he had to be subjugated.
What I'm not sure about is the fate of Przemysł II's daughter (who is first cousin of Leszek). What he should do with her?

Richeza was betrothed to Brandenburg, which was broken due to her fiance dying.

 

[krieger]

Łokietek could be obstacle for Leszek, as his lands are located between Greater and Lesser Poland, so he had to be subjugated.
What I'm not sure about is the fate of Przemysł II's daughter (who is first cousin of Leszek). What he should do with her?

Maybe marry to his own son, if he has one. It'd strenghten the claim of Leszek to Greater Poland. Yes, but Łokietek ITTL would still have the same personality and I imagine that he and Leszek wouldn't get along well, so Łokietek most likely (if Hungarian help with internal quarrels isn't possible) would flee to TO.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Maybe marry to his own son, if he has one. It'd strenghten the claim of Leszek to Greater Poland. Yes, but Łokietek ITTL would still have the same personality and I imagine that he and Leszek wouldn't get along well, so Łokietek most likely (if Hungarian help with internal quarrels isn't possible) would flee to TO.

Or starts rebellion against King, is defeated and killed?

 

[krieger]

Or starts rebellion against King, is defeated and killed?

This one is also possible, but (given Łokietek's luck) I'd like to see him being a TO member (but the final decision is up to You OP).

 

[Jan Olbracht]

This one is also possible, but (given Łokietek's luck) I'd like to see him being a TO member (but the final decision is up to You OP).

Say he's killed by Lithuanians alingside his younger brother Kazimierz in 1294.

 

[krieger]

Say he's killed by Lithuanians alingside his younger brother Kazimierz in 1294.

OK, so no need of finding wife for him (Łokietek). How long is Lech IV going to be alive? And who could surviving Wenceslas III marry?

 

[Jan Olbracht]

OK, so no need of finding wife for him (Łokietek). How long is Lech IV going to be alive? And who could surviving Wenceslas III marry?

Wenceslaus III could marry daughter of Andrew III and Elizabeth (Leszek's sister) if they have any. Leszek would die around 1330.
There is also need for different second wife for Wenceslaus II.