Władysław the Lucky

krieger

Banned
Władysław the White, duke of Gniewkowo was a contender to Polish crown after the time of Casimir's III death. However, due to him not having any importance he didn't succeed in claiming his cousin's crown. But what if he was more succesful? Say that Elizabeth of Pomerania is proven barren (than the only heir of Charles IV is Wenceslas with no claims to Polish crown and with non-active personality). Meanwhile, Louis of Anjou gets a nasty accident while going to Poland. His heir is Catherine of Anjou and the nice civil war in Hungary breaks out. Meanhwile, Casimir of Słupsk chokes on his meat during the feast. Władysław the White is now free to become king of Poland, Władysław III. What would his reign look like? As a king, he couldn't let himself be unmarried as he was after the death of Elizabeth of Strzelce, whom he loved with all his heart, because knights would pressure him into marrying (maybe Margaret of Mazovia, daughter of Siemowit III of Mazovia and OTL wife of Casimir of Słupsk is an option, Siemowit is one of the biggest vassals of Władysław). He could even appoint Siemowit IV (his wife's brother and male-line Piast) as his heir in the case of him being still childless. @Jan Olbracht
 
Why would he became Władysław III? Obviously, Władysław is the last Cuiavian Piast and Hungarians are busy, having civil war between Catherine's supporters and Charles of Durazzo. That should allow Poland to keep Red Ruthenia. Do you think royal power would still be reduced after Casimir the Great dies? Not as much as IOTL, when King ruled Poland from Buda, but still, Władysław is not direct heir to Casimir and succession is not as smooth as in 1333.
 
I think Wladyslaw the White could have been the King if the other claimants like Wladyslaw Opolczyk and Casimir of Slupsk allied with him rather than supporting Louis of Hungary.
 

krieger

Banned
Why would he became Władysław III? Obviously, Władysław is the last Cuiavian Piast and Hungarians are busy, having civil war between Catherine's supporters and Charles of Durazzo. That should allow Poland to keep Red Ruthenia. Do you think royal power would still be reduced after Casimir the Great dies? Not as much as IOTL, when King ruled Poland from Buda, but still, Władysław is not direct heir to Casimir and succession is not as smooth as in 1333.

It's my mistake, I meant he'd obviously become Władysław II. But succesion is smooth (in a horrible way, but it indeed is - younger daughters of Casimir III are still small children and not a threat to Vladislaus). There is no force that could take Red Ruthenia from Poland so it will keep the possesion of this land. I think that royal power will remain untouched for a Władysław's lifetime but everything depends on his marriage. I don't know if he'd be willing to marry once again, but being King he should for the sake of having heirs. I think that only sensible option is Margaret of Mazovia for him (because daughters of Casimir III are too childish to marry their kin and there are no Luxembourg princesses avaliable), but would he be willing? If yes that he could have a son (who obviously would inherit Poland) or a daughter (who could marry Siemowit IV or …. Jogaila!) and in case of childless death he could adopt Siemowit as his heir (less likely - he could marry one of Casimir III's daughters to Jogaila!).
 

krieger

Banned
What about Elizabeth of Pomerania not being able to marry Charles IV because Anne of Swidnica survives, she can be forced to marry Wladko.

Better make her barren, Vladislaus didn't want to remarry and he is still not that important (unless he gets Poland). If Anna of Świdnica survived than Elizabeth of Pomerania would most likely marry an Habsburg or to Jobst or John Sobiesław of Moravia.
 
Better make her barren, Vladislaus didn't want to remarry and he is still not that important (unless he gets Poland). If Anna of Świdnica survived than Elizabeth of Pomerania would most likely marry an Habsburg or to Jobst or John Sobiesław of Moravia.
Or have her die while giving birth to Anne of Bohemia.
 
Who could Charles IV marry in this scenario?
Margaret of Burgundy/Flanders alienating Charles IV from the Valois which would help a united force of Wladyslaw the White and other claimants like Siemowit and Opolczyk against the Luxembourgs and the surviving Anjous.
 

krieger

Banned
Margaret of Burgundy/Flanders alienating Charles IV from the Valois which would help a united force of Wladyslaw the White and other claimants like Siemowit and Opolczyk against the Luxembourgs and the surviving Anjous.

Valois have a little to say here. Maybe Charles could ally with Vladislaus the White and therefore marry some Mazovian girl?
 
Wladyslaw would marry Maria of Lithuania NOT Aldona, Maria is more age appropriate or Clemence of Anjou(OTL Queen of France).
 
Anna of Świdnica survived than Elizabeth of Pomerania would most likely marry an Habsburg or to Jobst or John Sobiesław of Moravia.

ISTR reading that one of Karl IV's wives (think it may have been Elisabeth) was originally engaged to a son of Karl by a previous wife. Said son died in infancy or Karl was widowed first and she wound up marrying the dad not the son.
 
ISTR reading that one of Karl IV's wives (think it may have been Elisabeth) was originally engaged to a son of Karl by a previous wife. Said son died in infancy or Karl was widowed first and she wound up marrying the dad not the son.
Actually that is Anna of Swidnica who was engaged to that son not Elizabeth.
 
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