Polish TL concept idea

In 1304 Władysław entered and occupied Lesser Poland with an army of his supporters, which, according to the 15th-century historian Jan Długosz, consisted of more peasants than knights. He also conquered Pomerania around Gdańsk, but since he did not win the favour of the local lords and settlers from Brandenburg who had migrated to that area, he was forced to give up the idea of complete control of the Baltic coast.

King Władysław the Elbow-high breaking off agreements with the Teutonic Knights at Brześć Kujawski, a painting by Jan Matejko in the National Museum in Warsaw

By 1311, Władysław was in power in Lesser Poland and his Kuyavian patrimony. Despite the Rebellion of wójt Albert in Kraków and Sandomierz, he was able to hold these cities thanks to the support of the nobility, gentry and townsfolk. Three years later, Greater Poland also came under his rule. However, John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia, also claimed the Polish crown. In alliance with the Teutonic Order, he attacked Władysław's forces from the north and west, while the Brandenburgians attempted to capture Greater Poland. Nonetheless, Władysław managed to maintain his dominions.

In 1318, he embarked on a coronation campaign. The pope, though initially unwilling, finally granted his approval and Władysław was crowned King of Poland on 30 January 1320 in Kraków. The coronation was a sign that he had overcome Poland's internal fragmentation and re-united the country as an independent kingdom under his rule.

A Polish-Teutonic War (1326–1332) occupied Władysław's last years. On 27 September 1331 he fought the Battle of Płowce in Kuyavia against a group of Teutonic knights. Other groups of enemies withdrew to the north. After numerous casualties the armies were stalemated, though Władysław's forces conquered the field, captured some prisoners and stopped the expansion of the Teutonic Order in the region.

Władysław endeavored to establish a uniform legal code throughout the land. In this code he assured the safety and freedom of Jews and placed them on an equal footing with Christians.

Władysław died on 2 March 1333 in Kraków. His son, Wladyslaw II of Poland, inherited Lesser Poland, the Duchy of Sandomierz, Greater Poland, Kuyavia, and the Duchies of Łęczyca and Sieradz. However, Silesia and Lubusz Land to the west, along with Gdańsk Pomerania, Western Pomerania, and Mazovia to the north, still remained outside the kingdom's borders. Nevertheless, Władysław's reign was a major step on the road to restoration of the Kingdom of Poland.







In 1306, after the murder of Elizabeth's brother Wenceslaus, Elizabeth's brother-in-law Henry became King of Bohemia. Elizabeth was now the only unmarried princess in the family, and at fourteen she was considered a good age to marry, and as a result played an important role in the power struggle for the Kingdom of Bohemia.

The quarrels of the Bohemian throne between Henry of Bohemia and Rudolph of Habsburg resulted in Rudolph taking Bohemia and marrying Queen Elizabeth Richeza. Elizabeth went to live in Prague Castle with her brother's widow, Viola Elisabeth of Cieszyn. However, on Rudolph's death in 1307 the crown returned to her brother-in-law and sister, who wanted Elizabeth to marry the Lord of Bergova (Otto of Löbdaburg) for political reasons. Elizabeth refused to marry Otto and so Elizabeth and Anne fell out with each other.

An opposition group was formed against Henry and Anne, with Elizabeth as the figurehead.

Another goal of Władysław the Elbow-high was to regain the inheritance of Przemysł II: Greater Poland and Pomerania. This unification campaign, however, encountered considerable difficulties. In Greater Poland, Władysław managed to only take the helm of the towns bordering Kujawy of Konin, Koło, and Nakło, because the rest of the duchy had accepted the rule of his old enemy Henry III of Głogów (with the exception of Wielun which was occupied by the Opole prince Bolko I). Pomerania, however, became subordinate to the rule of Władysław the Short as a result of an expedition at the end of 1306, but control over this remote area had to be transferred to governors. For these roles Władysław appointed in the area of Gdansk the mighty House of Swienca, and in Swiecie and Tczew his two nephews - Przemysł and Casimir III (sons of Ziemomysł), respectively.

On 1307, Anna of Bohemia would reach out to Wladyslaw the Elbowhigh arrange the marriage of her nemesis and sister Elizabeth of Bohemia to Wladyslaw, eldest surviving son of Wladyslaw the Elbowhigh in order to eliminate her sister from the succession struggle in Bohemia.

@Jan Olbracht @Augenis

any reactions to this scenario?
 
Problem is that at the time kings of Bohemia considered themselves also kings of Poland. In their eyes and official documents Władysław the Elbow-High and his successors were only kings of Cracow. IOTL only in 1335 Casimir III bought John of Bohemia's right to Polish crown. So I have my doubts any ruler of Bohemia (be it Rudolph or Henry) would accept a marriage of Bohemian princess with Polish prince, because it actually might streghthen his claims to Polish throne and even give him claims to Bohemian crown. IOTL Henry of Carinthia claimed the Bohemian (and Polish) crown as Wenceslaus II's son in law. By marrying Elizabeth Władysław II would have had the same claim. IOTL John the Blind did exactly that.
 
Problem is that at the time kings of Bohemia considered themselves also kings of Poland. In their eyes and official documents Władysław the Elbow-High and his successors were only kings of Cracow. IOTL only in 1335 Casimir III bought John of Bohemia's right to Polish crown. So I have my doubts any ruler of Bohemia (be it Rudolph or Henry) would accept a marriage of Bohemian princess with Polish prince, because it actually might streghthen his claims to Polish throne and even give him claims to Bohemian crown. IOTL Henry of Carinthia claimed the Bohemian (and Polish) crown as Wenceslaus II's son in law. By marrying Elizabeth Władysław II would have had the same claim. IOTL John the Blind did exactly that.
But Anna has senior claim to Bohemia.
 
Claim is not worth much if could not be supported by force, which Władysław lacked at the time, just look how Władysław lost Greater Poland to Wenceslaus few years earlier.
But if Anna marries her rival sister to her former enemy her sister would no longer be a threat.
 
Claim is not worth much if could not be supported by force, which Władysław lacked at the time, just look how Władysław lost Greater Poland to Wenceslaus few years earlier.

And Wenceslaus III lost it again. In 1307 the Greater Poland was torn mainly between Henry duke of Głogów ad Władysław the Elbow High, with Kalisz controlled by Bolesław III of Legnica. But I agree that at the time Władysław could not even dream about claiming the Bohemian crown.

Originally posted by kasumigenx
But if Anna marries her rival sister to her former enemy her sister would no longer be a threat.

Former enemy? Rather still present enemy, considering that all Bohemian kings until 1335 considered themselves also kings of Poland. And as I mentioned above - a marriage between Władysław II and Elizabeth would strengthen Władysław's claims to the Polish throne as Wenceslaus II's son-in-law. Why would Bohemia want to improve Kuyavian Piasts* position on Polish throne? In 1307 Władysław's situation wasn't that strong, since he was still competeing also with Henry of Głogów. I think Władysław would have gladly married his son to the Bohemian princess, but with this marriage Bohemia not only gains nothing but also helps its rival.

*Władysław the Elbow-High came form Kuyavian branch of the Piast family. Not that they actually used the name "Piast" for themselves.
 
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