Difference of 20 years - A Poland TL

Difference of 20 years
Casimir_the_Great_by_Leopold_L%C3%B6ffler.PNG

Difference of 20 years


On 1370, Casimir III decided to be careful about his own life and not to engage himself of things that would be harmful to him like hunting after a bad dream about his own country.

In 1371 Vladislaus of Opole and Casimir III led an armed expedition against the Crown of Bohemia (this assault caused a terrible devastation of Moravia) which led to the treaty of Krakow of 1371 which had the Duchies of Cieszyn, Raciborz, Bytom and Opole to be under Polish Suzerainty as an exchange for peace.

On 1378, after Elisabeth of Pomerania was widowed from the death of Charles IV of Bohemia, she was called into the court of Casimir III and she was married to Siemowit IV, an ally of Casimir III, while on the same year, Margaret of Mazovia, the wife of Casimir of Slupsk gave birth to a son named Wladyslaw, the child was named after his great grand father, Wladyslaw the Elbowhigh, the child was treated specially because the child is the son of the current heir to the King of Poland, Casimir III and for that reason Casimir III was present on the baptism of Wladyslaw, who looked very much like both his great grand father, Casimir III and his father Casimir of Slupsk.


Wladyslaw of Slupsk is a strong child, he grew strong and tough raised by Casimir of Slupsk and Margaret of Mazovia.

The Children of Charles IV including Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Emperor would have some sibling rivalry and for that reason, Bohemia would be unstable, however they would be unstable and any war between them.

Siemowit IV would have children of his own with Elisabeth of Pomerania.

Siemowit IV m. Elisabeth of Pomerania

Janusz of Mazovia
b. 1380

Elisabeth of Mazovia
b. 1382

The Children of Casimir III and Jadwiga of Zagan are

Anna of Poland, Countess of Celje b.1366
-Married William of Celje.

Kunigunde of Poland (1367–1370).

Hedwig of Poland b.1368
-married to the nobility

Barbara b.1376
-married to Rudolf III of Saxe-Wittenberg

Agnes b. 1385

Since the children of Casimir III and Jadwiga of Zagan are all female, this made the transfer of the rule of Poland from the House of Piast to the house of Gryfita via the female line possible, thus the Piast era of Poland ends after Casimir III dies.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by kasumigenx
In 1371 Vladislaus of Opole and Casimir III led an armed expedition against the Crown of Bohemia (this assault caused a terrible devastation of Moravia) which led to the treaty of Krakow of 1371 which had the Duchies of Cieszyn, Raciborz, Bytom and Opole to be under Polish Suzerainty as an exchange for peace.

Hmm, Vladislaus of Opole had more connections with Hungary than Poland; IOTL he was a palatine of Louis of Hungary (since 1367) and was one of the reasons Louis got the Polish crown at all - Vladislaus managed to convince Poles to declare Casimir III's last will invalid and eliminate Casimir of Slupsk as a candidate for the throne. His invasion of Moravia in 1371 IOTL was by the order of Louis, not Casimir. So why is Vladislaus here in Casimir III's service?
And how is that part of Silesia "under Polish sovereignty? Are those lands incorporated by Poland? If so, duke of Opole, one Vladislaus of Opole, might be unhappy about that. Or perhaps those lands are combined into a single Duchy of Opole, with Vladislaus as ruler and Polish vassal?
The best solution, IMHO, would be to make some kind of break between Louis and Vladislaus with Vladislaus being fired form being the palatine of Hungary ( he WAS fired in 1372 IOTL for no clear reason, lost a lot of his political influence and a lot of income, even if he was made the governor of Galicia-Volhynia). ITTL Louis might fire him a year or two earlier (I still have no idea why, as IOTL), but he can not give him Galicia-Volhynia as compensation since it is still under Polish control. Dissapointed Vladislaus turns to Casimir III offering him his help in getting control over large part of Silesia and as political advisor. In return, he becomes the ruler of much larger Duchy of Opole (see above) as Polish vassal.
BTW, I think in 1371 Ratibor was part of Duchy of Ratibor-Opava under John I from cadet branch of Premyslid dynasty. If Poles (or Vladislaus) get Ratibor, do they get Opava too? Or is it left to John I?
And what happens to Przemyslaus I Noszak, duke of Cieszyn and Bytom? He was rather respected ruler, close with Bohemia and emperor Charles IV. Does he switch sides? Or is he simply killed during the war and his lands are annexed by Casimir and/or Vladislaus?
And one more thing - Casimir and Vladislaus must have been really successful at war to get so much against Bohemia, probably without Hungarian supprt (see above).


On 1378, after Elisabeth of Pomerania was widowed from the death of Charles IV of Bohemia, she was called into the court of Casimir III and she was married to Siemowit IV, an ally of Casimir III

I doubt Casimir III would have been able to call empress-dowager to his court; especially after he had soundly defeated her husband in battle, which would have made their relations a little strained...
Also, in 1378 Siemowit IV was not an independent ruler yet - his father, Siemowit III (duke of Masovia) was still alive, and young Siemowit had only a very small land with town of Rawa; he got larger territory after his father's death in 1381, with another division of Masovia. Marrying an empress-dowager with a younger son of a minor duke would have been. IMHO, humiliating to Elizabeth and pretty much impossible.

The Children of Charles IV including Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Emperor would have some sibling rivalry and for that reason, Bohemia would be unstable, however they would be unstable and any war between them.

IMO there would have been no children by Elizabeth and Siemowit and even if so, they would have had no claim to Bohemian crown (not to mention HRE), since there would have had no relation to Luxembourg dynasty. There were more than enough of direct descendants of Charles IV (like Wenceslaus, John and Sigismund) to even think about Masovian Piasts as serious contenders.
Besides, Bohemia and HRE were in enough of internal turmoil at the time. See dethronization of Wenceslaus IV in 1400 and rule of Ruprecht III. Defeat by Poles in 1371 wouldn't have helped either.

Since the children of Casimir III and Jadwiga of Zagan are all female, this made the transfer of the rule of Poland from the House of Piast to the house of Gryfita via the female line possible, thus the Piast era of Poland ends after Casimir III dies.

So I assume that after Casimir III's death (in 1390?) his last will is executed and Casimir of Slupsk is officially the king of Poland (as Casimir IV), with Władysław as heir to Polish crown. With Vladislaus of Opole's support that is certainly possible.
BTW, Casimir of Słupsk was adopted by Casimir III in 1369, so formally he was a Piast, not a Griffin anymore. Officially king Casimir IV would have been a Piast.
 
Originally posted by kasumigenx


Hmm, Vladislaus of Opole had more connections with Hungary than Poland; IOTL he was a palatine of Louis of Hungary (since 1367) and was one of the reasons Louis got the Polish crown at all - Vladislaus managed to convince Poles to declare Casimir III's last will invalid and eliminate Casimir of Slupsk as a candidate for the throne. His invasion of Moravia in 1371 IOTL was by the order of Louis, not Casimir. So why is Vladislaus here in Casimir III's service?
And how is that part of Silesia "under Polish sovereignty? Are those lands incorporated by Poland? If so, duke of Opole, one Vladislaus of Opole, might be unhappy about that. Or perhaps those lands are combined into a single Duchy of Opole, with Vladislaus as ruler and Polish vassal?
The best solution, IMHO, would be to make some kind of break between Louis and Vladislaus with Vladislaus being fired form being the palatine of Hungary ( he WAS fired in 1372 IOTL for no clear reason, lost a lot of his political influence and a lot of income, even if he was made the governor of Galicia-Volhynia). ITTL Louis might fire him a year or two earlier (I still have no idea why, as IOTL), but he can not give him Galicia-Volhynia as compensation since it is still under Polish control. Dissapointed Vladislaus turns to Casimir III offering him his help in getting control over large part of Silesia and as political advisor. In return, he becomes the ruler of much larger Duchy of Opole (see above) as Polish vassal.
BTW, I think in 1371 Ratibor was part of Duchy of Ratibor-Opava under John I from cadet branch of Premyslid dynasty. If Poles (or Vladislaus) get Ratibor, do they get Opava too? Or is it left to John I?
And what happens to Przemyslaus I Noszak, duke of Cieszyn and Bytom? He was rather respected ruler, close with Bohemia and emperor Charles IV. Does he switch sides? Or is he simply killed during the war and his lands are annexed by Casimir and/or Vladislaus?
And one more thing - Casimir and Vladislaus must have been really successful at war to get so much against Bohemia, probably without Hungarian supprt (see above).
Or perhaps Casimir III decides to offer the whole Duchy of Opole to Vladislaus and Casimir III only recognizes him as a ruler of a united Opole as a vassal of Casimir III and also a vassal of Louis in his lands in Hungary, I will change that in my timeline having a united Opole under Vladislaus as a vassal of Casimir III while he is a vassal of Louis in Hungary.

I doubt Casimir III would have been able to call empress-dowager to his court; especially after he had soundly defeated her husband in battle, which would have made their relations a little strained...
Also, in 1378 Siemowit IV was not an independent ruler yet - his father, Siemowit III (duke of Masovia) was still alive, and young Siemowit had only a very small land with town of Rawa; he got larger territory after his father's death in 1381, with another division of Masovia. Marrying an empress-dowager with a younger son of a minor duke would have been. IMHO, humiliating to Elizabeth and pretty much impossible.
I will ommit that part
IMO there would have been no children by Elizabeth and Siemowit and even if so, they would have had no claim to Bohemian crown (not to mention HRE), since there would have had no relation to Luxembourg dynasty. There were more than enough of direct descendants of Charles IV (like Wenceslaus, John and Sigismund) to even think about Masovian Piasts as serious contenders.
Besides, Bohemia and HRE were in enough of internal turmoil at the time. See dethronization of Wenceslaus IV in 1400 and rule of Ruprecht III. Defeat by Poles in 1371 wouldn't have helped either.
I will ommit that part
So I assume that after Casimir III's death (in 1390?) his last will is executed and Casimir of Slupsk is officially the king of Poland (as Casimir IV), with Władysław as heir to Polish crown. With Vladislaus of Opole's support that is certainly possible.
BTW, Casimir of Słupsk was adopted by Casimir III in 1369, so formally he was a Piast, not a Griffin anymore. Officially king Casimir IV would have been a Piast.
I will change that part.
 
Last edited:
Difference of 20 years
Casimir_the_Great_by_Leopold_L%C3%B6ffler.PNG

Difference of 20 years
On 1370, Casimir III decided to be careful about his own life and not to engage himself of things that would be harmful to him like hunting after a bad dream about his own country.

In 1371 Wladyslaw II of Opole, Casimir III and Louis of Hungary led an armed expedition against the Crown of Bohemia (this assault caused a terrible devastation of Moravia) which led to the treaty of Krakow of 1371 which had the whole of Duchy Opole and Raciborz, Strzelce and Niemodlin to be under Polish Suzerainty as an exchange for peace thus Wladyslaw II of Opole becomes formally a Polish Vassal, as a reward for his allegiance with the King of Poland, Wladyslaw II of Opole was given Raciborz and also Wladyslaw II of Opole is guaranteed a stake in the succession to the Polish throne after Casimir of Slupsk(or if according to the Treaty of Buda, Louis of Hungary), so if ever Casimir of Slupsk or Louis of Hungary dies childless, he will succeed to the Polish throne, thus his rights to succeed to the Polish throne due to him being descended from Kunegunde of Kuyavia a sister of Casimir III is also honored by Casimir III in exchange for his support in the war in Silesia.

On 1372, Elisabeth of Opole marries Siemowit IV of Mazovia, which strengthens the relation of Opole to Mazovia.

On 1378, Margaret of Mazovia, the wife of Casimir of Slupsk gave birth to a son named Wladyslaw, the child was named after his great grand father, Wladyslaw the Elbowhigh, the child was treated specially because the child is the son of the current heir to the King of Poland, Casimir III and for that reason Casimir III was present on the baptism of Wladyslaw, who looked very much like both his great grand father, Casimir III and his father Casimir of Slupsk.

Wladyslaw of Slupsk is a strong child, he grew strong and tough raised by Casimir of Slupsk and Margaret of Mazovia.

The Children of Charles IV including Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Emperor would have some sibling rivalry due to Wenceslaus being the most favored son of Charles IV.


The Children of Casimir III and Jadwiga of Zagan are

Anna of Poland, Countess of Celje b.1366
-Married William of Celje.

Kunigunde of Poland (1367–1370).

Hedwig of Poland b.1368


Barbara b.1376
-married to Rudolf III of Saxe-Wittenberg

Agnes b. 1385

-----------------------------------------
revised
 
Last edited:
Anne-of-Bohemia-best.jpg

Anne of Bohemia
Richard II of England decides to marry Anne of Bohemia as a result of the Great Schism in the Papacy that had resulted in two rival popes. According to Eduard Perroy, Pope Urban VI actually sanctioned the marriage between Richard and Anne, in an attempt to create an alliance on his behalf, particularly so that he might be stronger against the French and their preferred pope, Clement. Anne's father was the most powerful monarch in Europe at the time, ruling over about half of Europe's population and territory.

The marriage was against the wishes of many members of his nobility and members of parliament, and occurred primarily at the instigation of Richard's intimate, Michael de la Pole. Although Richard had been offered Caterina Visconti, one of the daughters of Bernabò Visconti of Milan, who would have brought a great deal of money with her as dowry, Anne was chosen – bringing no direct financial benefits to England. She brought with her no dowry, and in return for her hand in marriage, Richard gave 20,000 florins (around £4,000,000 in today's value) in payment to her brother Wenceslaus. There were also only a few diplomatic benefits – although English merchants were now allowed to trade freely within both Bohemian lands, and lands of the Holy Roman Empire, this was not much when compared to the usual diplomatic benefits from marriages made as a result of the war with France. It is therefore no surprise that the marriage was unpopular.

On her arrival in December 1381, Anne was severely criticised by contemporary chroniclers, probably as a result of the financial arrangements of the marriage, although it was quite typical for queens to be viewed in critical terms.

The Westminster Chronicler called her "a tiny scrap of humanity", and Thomas Walsingham related a disastrous omen upon her arrival, where her ships smashed to pieces as soon as she had disembarked. Nevertheless, Anne and King Richard II were married in Westminster Abbey on 22 January 1382.

-----------------------------------------
I am planning for Richard II and Anne of Bohemia to have a son.

 
Last edited:
Hello, it's me again

Originally posted by kasumigenx
In 1371 Vladislaus of Opole, Louis of Hungary and Casimir III led an armed expedition against the Crown of Bohemia (this assault caused a terrible devastation of Moravia) which led to the treaty of Krakow of 1371 which had the whole of Duchy Opole and Wroclaw to be under Polish Suzerainty as an exchange for peace
Wow, Poland gets most of Silesia. That must have been some war. And what does Hungary get of it?

P.S.
And one more thing. How does Louis of Hungary react to the fact, that he is pretty much out of Polish succession? IOTL Louis and Casimir III had a pact with Louis becoming Casimir's successor if Casimir dies first without legal heirs. IOTL Casimir III adopted Casimir of Słupsk to avoid leaving crown to Louis; Polish king's lat will, however, was decalred invalid, among other things thanks to Vladislaus of Opole, and Louis was crowned king of Poland.
ITTL Casimir of Slupsk seems to be aknowledged successor, not to mention Vladislaus of Opole as a possible king. Louis wouldn't have been very happy about it. And I sincerely doubt he would have helped Poland in war against Bohemia in such cirumstances.
The Duchy of Opole was made united under Vladislaus of Opole in exchange for the support of Vladislaus, because earlier, Casimir III promised the whole of Opole to Vladislaus while Wroclaw became part of the lands under the direct rule of the Polish King and was also made a Voivodeship and also Vladislaus of Opole is guaranteed a stake in the succession to the Polish throne after Casimir of Slupsk, so if ever Casimir of Slupsk dies childless, he will succeed to the Polish throne, thus his rights to succeed to the Polish throne due to him being descended from Kunegunde of Kuyavia a sister of Casimir III is also honored by Casimir III in exchange for his support in the war in Silesia.
Vladislaus already was a ruler of all Duchy of Opole (later he gave some land to his brothers), however after conquering Silesia Casimir III would have been able to enlarge the duchy with Ratibor, Cieszyn, perhaps even Opava. And a promise of succession sounds indeed tempting, although, from Vladislaus POV a little risky - Casimir of Slupsk was young and healthy, he might have been able to sire a heir. As he does ITTL.
BTW annexing Wrocław might be not so easy. Duchy of Wrocław, AFAIK, was rather small at the time and separaed from Poland by other duchies and lands - Namysłów, Oleśnica, Brzeg. Are those incorporated into Poland too? Some Piast dukes become unemployed and landless. OTOH, why not?
That would only leave Żagań, Głogów and Legnica under Bohemian control. Duchy of Jawor-Świdnica is still under the rule of Agnes of Austria, widow of Bolko II, the last independent Piast duke in SiIlesia.


I am planning for Richard II and Anne of Bohemia to have a son.
How nice for them. Will "good queen Anne" survive the plague? Her influence and popularity might help Richard to keep the throne.Not to mention the existence of royal heir. I think Henry IV and his successors are just butterflied away (well, as kings of England, anyway).


P.S.
And one more thing. How does Louis of Hungary react to the fact, that he is pretty much out of Polish succession? IOTL Louis and Casimir III had a pact with Louis becoming Casimir's successor if Casimir dies first without legal heirs. IOTL Casimir III adopted Casimir of Słupsk to avoid leaving crown to Louis; Polish king's lat will, however, was decalred invalid, among other things thanks to Vladislaus of Opole, and Louis was crowned king of Poland.
ITTL Casimir of Slupsk seems to be aknowledged successor, not to mention Vladislaus of Opole as a possible king. Louis wouldn't have been very happy about it. And I sincerely doubt he would have helped Poland in war against Bohemia in such cirumstances.
 
Last edited:
Hello, it's me again

Originally posted by kasumigenx
Wow, Poland gets most of Silesia. That must have been some war. And what does Hungary get of it?

P.S.
And one more thing. How does Louis of Hungary react to the fact, that he is pretty much out of Polish succession? IOTL Louis and Casimir III had a pact with Louis becoming Casimir's successor if Casimir dies first without legal heirs. IOTL Casimir III adopted Casimir of Słupsk to avoid leaving crown to Louis; Polish king's lat will, however, was decalred invalid, among other things thanks to Vladislaus of Opole, and Louis was crowned king of Poland.
ITTL Casimir of Slupsk seems to be aknowledged successor, not to mention Vladislaus of Opole as a possible king. Louis wouldn't have been very happy about it. And I sincerely doubt he would have helped Poland in war against Bohemia in such cirumstances. Vladislaus already was a ruler of all Duchy of Opole (later he gave some land to his brothers), however after conquering Silesia Casimir III would have been able to enlarge the duchy with Ratibor, Cieszyn, perhaps even Opava. And a promise of succession sounds indeed tempting, although, from Vladislaus POV a little risky - Casimir of Slupsk was young and healthy, he might have been able to sire a heir. As he does ITTL.
BTW annexing Wrocław might be not so easy. Duchy of Wrocław, AFAIK, was rather small at the time and separaed from Poland by other duchies and lands - Namysłów, Oleśnica, Brzeg. Are those incorporated into Poland too? Some Piast dukes become unemployed and landless. OTOH, why not?
That would only leave Żagań, Głogów and Legnica under Bohemian control. Duchy of Jawor-Świdnica is still under the rule of Agnes of Austria, widow of Bolko II, the last independent Piast duke in SiIlesia.

Casimir III gives Wielun to Vladislaus of Opole as a reward for his allegience.
P.S.
And one more thing. How does Louis of Hungary react to the fact, that he is pretty much out of Polish succession? IOTL Louis and Casimir III had a pact with Louis becoming Casimir's successor if Casimir dies first without legal heirs. IOTL Casimir III adopted Casimir of Słupsk to avoid leaving crown to Louis; Polish king's lat will, however, was decalred invalid, among other things thanks to Vladislaus of Opole, and Louis was crowned king of Poland.
ITTL Casimir of Slupsk seems to be aknowledged successor, not to mention Vladislaus of Opole as a possible king. Louis wouldn't have been very happy about it. And I sincerely doubt he would have helped Poland in war against Bohemia in such cirumstances.
It is still possible for Louis of Hungary to be the King of Poland but ITTL he dies earlier than Casimir III, so Casimir of Slupsk becomes the King of Poland, the allegiance of the Kings of Poland and Hungary stays but the Duke of Opole is also a part of the allegiance so later after Bohemia was attacked he is given his succession rights to the Polish throne but he will be either behind Louis of Hungary or Casimir of Slupsk.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by kasumigenx
Casimir III gives Wielun to Vladislaus of Opole as a reward for his allegience.

Wieluń was an integral part of Poland and giving it away, even to a vassal so important as Vladislaus seems to me unlikely. I believe that augmenting duchy of Opole with Ratibor, Cieszyn and Opava would have been enough reward.

It is still possible for Louis of Hungary to be the King of Poland but ITTL he dies earlier than Casimir III, so Casimir of Slupsk becomes the King of Poland, the allegiance of the Kings of Poland and Hungary stays but the Duke of Opole is also a part of the allegiance so later after Bohemia was attacked he is given his succession rights to the Polish throne but he will be either behind Louis of Hungary or Casimir of Slupsk.

I'm not sure Louis would have been happy to help creating a new deal, in which Vladislaus of Opole precedes Louis' successor to the Polish crown. I think he was unhappy enough with adoption of Casimir of Slupsk by Casimir III; adding Vladislaus as another pretender would have been even worse.
 
Originally posted by kasumigenx


Wieluń was an integral part of Poland and giving it away, even to a vassal so important as Vladislaus seems to me unlikely. I believe that augmenting duchy of Opole with Ratibor, Cieszyn and Opava would have been enough reward.
Louis gave Vladislaus Wielun in OTL so it is possible.
 
Originally posted by kasumigenx
Louis gave Vladislaus Wielun in OTL so it is possible.
Yes. Louis did. But he was a king of Hungary first, and cared less for integrity of Poland. Also, Vladislaus (loyal to Louis) controlling Wieluń gave Louis a strongpoint in case of any rebelions in Poland. I do not think Casimir III would have been so eager to give a way an important part of his kingdom, if he had been able to reward Vladislaus with captured lands. Besides, lands lost by Bohemia given to Vladislaus would have tied him closer to Poland in case of Bohemia trying to get Silesia back; Vladislaus would had to support Poland or risk loosing his new acquisition.
 
Originally posted by kasumigenx
Yes. Louis did. But he was a king of Hungary first, and cared less for integrity of Poland. Also, Vladislaus (loyal to Louis) controlling Wieluń gave Louis a strongpoint in case of any rebelions in Poland. I do not think Casimir III would have been so eager to give a way an important part of his kingdom, if he had been able to reward Vladislaus with captured lands. Besides, lands lost by Bohemia given to Vladislaus would have tied him closer to Poland in case of Bohemia trying to get Silesia back; Vladislaus would had to support Poland or risk loosing his new acquisition.
I had Vladislaus get Racborz from the Duke of Opava.
 
Casmir of Slupsk

Kazko (Casmir) of Slupsk was unfortunately a drunk, he was castrated and died in 1377 in a stupid way.
 
I'm not sure about that castration thing. He had 2 wives (although no children) and I don't recall any mention about him being castrated - only some rumors. I do not think Casimir III would have adopted him, if he had been castrated, so even if it did happen, it was after Polish king's death. ITTL it can easily be avoided.
I wouldn't call Casimir of Slupsk's death stupid. He became a loyal vassal to Louis of Hungary, and in his name fought against rebelled duke of Gniewkowo, Władysław Biały (the White). Casimir was heavily wounded during the siege of Złotoria castle and died of his wounds in Bydgoszcz (Bromberg) in 1377. So he died in service of his liege, more or less in combat - AFAICT, quite a honorable death at the time.

However, it has to be said, that it is debatable, whether Casimir of Słupsk would have been a good king. According to Janko z Czarnkowa Casimir was personally brave, but impetuous and extravagantly overgenerous. OTOH Janko wanted him as king of Poland, so who knows...
 
Kenna (Joanna) of Lithuania died in 1368. Casimir III adopted Casimir of Słupsk a year later; Casimir of Słupsk married Małgorzata of Mazovia, daughter of Siemowit III. It is doubtful those two things would have happened if he had been castrated (I don't think Casimir III would have adopted a castrate unable to sire a heir). IMO castration is just a rumour.
 
Ludwik_W%C4%99gierski_by_Bacciarelli.jpg



Louis of Hungary
On 1382, Louis of Hungary dies, leaving behind two daughters, namely, Mary and Hedwig, the two maidens would be betrothed to Sigismund of Luxembourg and Wilhelm von Habsburg respectively.

When Charles III of Naples landed in Dalmatia in September 1385, Mary's kingdom was already at war with both Sigismund's brother Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia and Germany, and the queen mother's cousin, King Tvrtko I of Bosnia. Mary's marriage to Sigismund was celebrated in October, but it was too late. It was impossible to prevent Charles from summoning a diet attended by a huge number of barons, and he was able to secure their support. Sigismund fled to his brother's court in Prague and, following Mary's abdication, Charles was crowned on 31 December as Charles II of Hungary, with Mary and her mother forced to attend his coronation.
It wasn't difficult for him to reach the power, as he counted with the support of several Croatian lords, and many contacts which he made during his period as Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia. However, Elizabeth of Bosnia, widow of Louis and mother of Mary, arranged to have Charles assassinated on 7 February 1386. He died of wounds at Visegrád on 24 February.

Although Mary was restored temporarily, the Hungarian nobles threw away Sigismund of Luxembourg and Mary from Hungary, electing the Habsburg betrothed Hedwig starting a Habsburg dynasty in Hungary, so Hedwig married the Wilhelm von Habsburg on June 5, 1387 starting the Habsburg rule over Hungary.

 
Top