History of Mazovia and its people - Part I : The First Steps (867-1410)

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

A Crusade for Al-Andalus? Is Jerusalem Catholic or is this a milder case of Papal Drunkenness? (the creator of the old mod that fixed weird crusades and jihads before Paradox fixed them described either Crusades or Jihads for Mongolia as being drunkenly called)

 

[Chac1]

Konrad IV is proving that a slow and steady focus is essential in expanding his kingdom and also punishing border raiders.

Will the pope pressure him though after his failure to contribute to the Crusade? Or will Rome just deliver more demands to his successors?

 

[Ruwaard]

A Crusade for Al-Andalus? Is Jerusalem Catholic or is this a milder case of Papal Drunkenness? (the creator of the old mod that fixed weird crusades and jihads before Paradox fixed them described either Crusades or Jihads for Mongolia as being drunkenly called)

Al-Andalus makes a lot more sense than Mongolia though. The mechanics could be better, more realistically it would mean other Christians boosting the Reconquista, not a separate crusade for a part of the Peninsula.

 

[kakom]

A Crusade for Al-Andalus? Is Jerusalem Catholic or is this a milder case of Papal Drunkenness? (the creator of the old mod that fixed weird crusades and jihads before Paradox fixed them described either Crusades or Jihads for Mongolia as being drunkenly called)

Konrad IV is proving that a slow and steady focus is essential in expanding his kingdom and also punishing border raiders.

Will the pope pressure him though after his failure to contribute to the Crusade? Or will Rome just deliver more demands to his successors?

Al-Andalus makes a lot more sense than Mongolia though. The mechanics could be better, more realistically it would mean other Christians boosting the Reconquista, not a separate crusade for a part of the Peninsula.

The Holy Land is controlled by the Hospitallers.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 30 ( 1160 - 1165)​

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Konrad, needing financial resources to conduct another campaign in Lithuania, turned to the new Pope, Sylverius IV, requesting support for his mission to spread Christianity by the sword among the Baltic pagans. In response, Sylverius sent Konrad a substantial sum of money to assist in his war against the pagans. These new funds significantly facilitated Konrad's expansion of his personal armed forces, which at this point numbered 10,000 soldiers.

On April 14, 1161, Konrad invaded the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for the second time, this time targeting the Duchy of Trakai. The Mazovian monarch's army numbered 15,500 men, a force Konrad deemed sufficient to secure victory against the northern pagans. In the first few months of fighting, the conflict was limited to the capture of a few smaller villages and towns. It wasn't until August 1162 that Grand Duke Vaidiginas of Lithuania confronted Konrad in battle.

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A Lithuanian army of 12,000 clashed with the Mazovians near Trakai. This battle would become one of the bloodiest fought during Konrad IV's reign. Konrad's troops, under his command, attacked the Lithuanians just as they were emerging from the forests surrounding the Trakai fortress. Thanks to his scouts, Konrad was warned of the Lithuanian relief force's arrival and prepared for it. He cut off the garrison of the Trakai fortress by digging deep trenches around it, trapping them inside and preventing them from aiding their ruler. In the end, both sides suffered losses of 10,000 soldiers in the Battle of Trakai.

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This defeat, however, did not lead to the complete destruction of Vaidiginas' army. Konrad was forced to pursue him, eventually confronting him again near the village of Ariuogala, where the final showdown with the Lithuanians took place. Konrad's army, now numbering around 9,000, massacred the Lithuanians. Vaidiginas, barely escaping, managed to flee from Konrad's pursuing forces.

Unable to gather new forces, Vaidiginas entered negotiations with Konrad, relinquishing the lands of Trakai and his title as Grand Duke of Lithuania. Konrad IV accepted Vaidiginas' terms, signing a truce with him on June 12, 1163. The peace treaty with the Lithuanians was to last for the next five years. Vaidiginas lost his title as Grand Duke of Lithuania but remained the ruler of all the tribes in the region and still controlled Livonia. He created a new title, proclaiming himself King of Livonia.

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After the war's conclusion, Konrad IV fulfilled the ambitions of his ancestor, Zygmunta I, when the Pope crowned him the first European Emperor since the dissolution of the Frankish Empire. Through successful mediation with the Holy See, Konrad obtained Pope Sylverius IV's approval for his coronation and the imperial title. On June 14, 1165, Sylverius IV placed the imperial crown on Konrad's head. This date is recognized as the beginning of the First Mazovian Empire, which had yet to reach the peak of its power.

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From the moment he wore the imperial crown, Konrad sought only to satisfy his desire for greater power and influence. He betrothed his eldest son, Zygmunt, to Bożysława, heiress of Great Moravia. Konrad intended to place her on the throne of that state once their union was consummated. He also considered a less forceful option, possibly arranging the assassination of Bożysława's young brother. However, both of these issues remained plans for the future.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

On June 14, 1165, Sylverius IV placed the imperial crown on Konrad's head. This date is recognized as the beginning of the First Mazovian Empire, which had yet to reach the peak of its power.

First Empire? How many Empires will there be?

 

[Chac1]

Konrad IV is now emperor. He certainly lives up to his nickname. Is it possible that he is the greatest ruler of his House?

I suppose the next chapters will provide us some answers. He certainly is considering brutal plans to keep his family ruling even after he is no longer around.

 

[kakom]

First Empire? How many Empires will there be?

We will see as history progresses.

Konrad IV is now emperor. He certainly lives up to his nickname. Is it possible that he is the greatest ruler of his House?

I suppose the next chapters will provide us some answers. He certainly is considering brutal plans to keep his family ruling even after he is no longer around.

Konrad as the creator of the Empire deserved this nickname. The plans and failures of his successors, however, are a different matter.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 31 ( 1165 - 1173)

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Upon reaching manhood, Zygmunt was granted lands befitting his status by Konrad, receiving the titles of Grand Duke of Lithuania, Duke of Prussia, Duke of Mazovia, and Duke of Trakai. These lands became Zygmunt private domain from that moment onward. Zygmunt education bore fruit, as he became a competent commander. Konrad personally oversaw his eldest son's education, watching with satisfaction as Zygmunt grew into a brilliant and ambitious young man. Zygmunt was Konrad's favorite, a fact deeply resented by his second son, Jerzy, who harbored a hidden hatred for his older brother due to their father's favoritism.

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A few months later, Zygmunt betrothed, Bożysława, arrived in Płock, and shortly thereafter, the young couple was married. Bożysława Mojomir, Konrad IV's daughter-in-law, was a secretive, cunning, and greedy woman with a fondness for all kinds of trinkets. She had mastered the art of court intrigue, which helped her survive in the Great Moravian court. Bożysława was the granddaughter of Katarzyna, with whom Konrad's father had waged war over Kładsko.

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In March 1168, Konrad's second son, Jerzy, came of age, and Konrad granted him the Duchy of Kamieniec. Like Zygmunt, Jerzy received a military education, but unlike his older brother, he had shown greater talent in this area from an early age. Despite his natural leadership abilities, he was ignored by his father, which caused his hatred toward his brother to grow stronger with each passing year.

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Konrad agreed to a proposal from Soma I for George to marry his only daughter, Nawoja. Soma came from a new dynasty that had overthrown the Árpáds in the Crimean Kingdom. Konrad's consent stemmed from the fact that Crimea was a strategic ally for Mazovia, and relations with the Árpád dynasty were very favorable. Seeking to establish friendly relations with Soma, Konrad agreed to the marriage.

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A relatively insignificant fact for Mazovia and Konrad was that Zoroastrianism had become a heresy in relation to Mazdakism, a previously minor offshoot of the main theological stream of Zoroastrianism. It is also worth noting that the Persians successfully repelled the Seljuk Turks.

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On March 13, 1169, Dietrich, the son of Zygmunt and Bożysława, ascended the Great Moravian throne following the unexplained death of Bożysława's brother, Bolesław Mojomir. Konrad was involved in Bolesław Mojomir's death, as he had ordered his assassination, ensuring Dietrich's succession to the Great Moravian throne. More importantly, the assassination remained undiscovered, leaving Konrad free of any suspicion. Since Dietrich was only a year old and could not rule on his own, Bożysława governed Great Moravia in his name, effectively ruling through Cardinal Zygmunt, Zdzisław Branicki.

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Konrad resumed his plans for eastern expansion by attacking the pagan Kingdom of Livonia in the summer of 1171. The campaign was initially entirely successful, but in August of that year, Konrad fell ill, causing the fighting to come to a complete halt. It was later revealed that Konrad had contracted great pox. His doctors attempted to treat their monarch by rubbing him with mercury, giving him decoctions of various herbs, and even placing him in a well-heated oven to sweat it out, but none of these treatments improved his condition.

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Konrad IV died of great pox in the summer of 1173, likely contracting it during one of his nights in camp, probably during his previous military campaign against the Lithuanians. After his death, his son Zygmunt inherited the Mazovian Empire. A few days after the funeral, Zygmunt crowned himself SZygmunt IV. Konrad IV, having secured the imperial crown from the Pope, was considered great. He was the first Mazovian ruler to hold the title of Emperor, though it was merely a titular designation.

Mazovia, 1173​

Dania - Denmark
Saksonia - Saxony
Turyngia - Thuringia
Bawaria - Bavaria
Karyntia - Carinthia
Balaton - Balaton
Wielkie Morawy - Great Moravia
Chrobatia - Crobatia
Bułgaria - Bulgaria
Krym - Crimea
Ruś Kijowska - Kievan Rus
Ruś Nowogrodzka - Novgorodian Rus
Liwonia - Livonia
Szwecja - Sweden
Norwegia - Norway

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

Konrad landing both of his sons may come back to haunt Zygmunt (even if Jerzy only holds a small fief in comparison to the Empire).

 

[Chac1]

The foreshadowing of Jerzy's jealousies likely will unfold in attempt to seize the crown or other ways to undermine the new ruler. Very interested in what comes next.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 32 (1173 - 1180)

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Jerzy, Duke of Kamieniec and brother of Zygmunt, ignited a succession war in Mazovia. Driven by a deep grudge against his brother, he believed that he deserved the imperial crown more than Zygmunt. From early childhood, George had envied the attention their father gave to his older brother and resented the fact that Sigismund, not he, would inherit the throne. Motivated by this jealousy, Jerzy decided to try to seize by force what he believed rightfully belonged to him.

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Several of Zygmunt vassals supported Jerzy claims, seeing the conflict as an opportunity to weaken the Mazovian crown. For them, this war was a chance to gain privileges should Jerzy emerge victorious. Unable to wage war against both his brother and the Livonians simultaneously, Zygmunt proposed a white peace to the pagans. The Livonian king accepted the offer, and after the peace was signed, Zygmunt immediately marched back toward the border to confront the forces of the rebellious nobles siding with Jerzy.

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Despite holding Edward captive, Jerzy still refused to surrender. It was only after the Battle near Mrągowo that he was forced to acknowledge his defeat. This battle, fought on the marshy lands of Prussia, ended in victory for Sigismund, who personally led his 9,000-strong army into combat. As the bodies of the fallen were removed from the battlefield, Jerzy fell to his knees before Zygmunt and begged for mercy for himself and his family. Zygmunt imprisoned him but promised that no harm would come to Jerzy wife and son.

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Zygmunt ultimately decided to execute his younger brother, Jerzy, as his actions warranted the harshest punishment. Jerzy had betrayed the trust and brotherly love Zygmunt had for him, and more significantly, he had raised his hand against both his sovereign and brother. There was no room for forgiveness - Jerzy had to die to show Zygmunt vassals that any betrayal would be met with swift and final punishment.

On a gloomy November day, Jerzy was transported from the dungeon to the Poznań market, where the executioner awaited. As the priest prayed for Jerzy soul, he broke down and begged for his life to be spared. However, Zygmunt was unmoved, knowing that reversing his decision would be seen as weakness. Realizing that pleading for mercy was futile, Jerzy began cursing Zygmunt, accusing him of committing fratricide, the worst kind of crime, recalling how Cain murdered Abel. The executioner’s assistants had to hold Jerzy down as he struggled with all his might to free himself, but nothing could stop the falling axe that severed his head from his body. The spectacle amused the crowd that had gathered to watch the execution.

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Zygmunt was haunted by the image of his brother's face as the executioner's axe separated his head from his body. This vision tormented him in his nightmares, where Jerzy would torture him with the fires of hell, laughing that such a fate awaited all fratricides. At first, Zygmunt tried to convince himself that if Jerzy had won, he would likely have lost his own head, but these arguments did little to ease his conscience. With the persistent dreams and growing sense of guilt, Zygmunt eventually made a pilgrimage to Rome, begging the Church and God for forgiveness for his actions.

After months of barefoot wandering through the roads of Europe, Zygmunt fell to his knees before Pope Eugenius V, expressing deep remorse for his sins. Moved by Zygmunt repentance, the Pope officially absolved him of the sin, although he did collect a small donation for the Church. Following the audience, Zygmunt felt much lighter in conscience. In the eyes of the Church and God, the execution of his brother was a necessary evil that had now been forgiven.

The civil war between the brothers lasted from 1174 to 1179. It was an exceptionally bloody and drawn-out conflict, with neither side gaining the upper hand for an extended period. The fighting primarily consisted of besieging each other's fortresses. Jerzy failed to capture any of Zygmunt major strongholds. The siege of Poznań ended in failure when Zygmunt managed to bring timely reinforcements to the capital. It wasn’t until Kamieniec was captured by loyalist forces that the tide turned in favor of the elder brother. Along with the fortress, Edward, Zygmunt nephew and Jerzy son, was also captured by Zygmunt men.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

The sooner the Empire rids itself of the outdated practice of giving land to junior heirs the better for its stability.

 

[Chac1]

Thanks for this update. I am curious about the white peace with the pagans. What then happened to their forces? Do they disband their armies and get a pass from attempts at conversion. I can't remember taking this route before with a ruler so genuinely curious about the aftereffects of that negotiation.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 33 (1180 - 1185)

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The Order of Santiago, or the so-called Order of Saint James of Compostela, was established at the beginning of 1180 by a brotherhood of knights dedicated to protecting pilgrims on their journey to Compostela, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Europe. The order was founded at the initiative of King Alfonso VIII of Castile, the Noble, with the intent to act as a counterbalance to the Hospitallers, who occupied the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The order chose the castle of Cáceres as its headquarters. As a chivalric order, it was officially recognized by Pope Eugene V in 1183, who had taken it under his protection two years earlier.

The rules of this order were considered remarkable, being based on Augustinian principles, as they allowed married men to join from the outset. These men were required to reside in monastic houses at certain times, and during their absence, the order took care of their wives and children. What surprised Zygmunt even more was the fact that the wives of these knights were also members of the order. Their children, upon reaching adulthood, could take monastic vows and remain in the monastery or choose a secular life. In some of these monastic communities, entire families lived together. During Advent, Lent, and major religious holidays, the knights had to observe abstinence. Widowers and widows were allowed to remarry with the consent of the grand master or the head of the monastery.

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On October 8, 1181, Zygmunt second son, Konrad, was born. The Mazovian ruler now had four legitimate children and two natural children born of his mistress, Adelaide. Bożysława, Zygmunt wife, was the mother of two of his sons and two daughters: Dytryk, king of Great Moravia, Konrad, Dobroniega, and Jolanta. From his relationship with Adelaide, Zygmunt had a son, Przemysław, and a daughter, Bożena.

On April 12, 1182, Edward, Zygmunt nephew, died under rather mysterious circumstances. This death was particularly puzzling to Zygmunt, as the boy had been in good health, and the sudden illness and death seemed strange to him. He suspected his wife Bożysława’s involvement, though she denied it when questioned. Ultimately, Zygmunt decided not to pursue the matter further, assuming that Edward’s death was merely the result of a sudden illness. The Principality of Kamień, which Zygmunt inherited following his nephew’s death, was subsequently granted to his natural son, Przemysław of Przemysl.

In reality, it was Bożysława who had caused Edward's death. As Zygmunt Master of Whispers, she controlled a vast network of spies and assassins, a legacy from her predecessors. She used them to poison young Edward, believing he would provoke another civil war in Mazovia upon Zygmunt death. Motivated by concern for her son Dytryk’s well-being, she was determined to eliminate any threat to his position.

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In November of 1183, a monk from the Abbey of Cluny arrived in Poznań. During an audience with Zygmunt, he requested donations for his monastery, reminding the ruler of the past generosity shown by the Mazovian leaders toward the abbey. Zygmunt, still possessing papal funds previously obtained by Konrad IV, decided to grant a portion to the monks, hoping to secure the church’s favor.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

The Principality of Kamień, which Zygmunt inherited following his nephew’s death, was subsequently granted to his natural son, Przemysław of Przemysl.

Motivated by concern for her son Dytryk’s well-being, she was determined to eliminate any threat to his position.

Is there still a threat to Dytryk's wellbeing here? Has Zygmunt created another threat?

 

[Chac1]

Thanks for this new chapter. It will be interesting to see what other schemes Bożysława cooks up in the future.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 34 (1185 - 1190)

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On July 25, 1185, Zygmunt IV attacked the pagan Kingdom of Livonia with the objective of reclaiming the land of Berest, which de jure belonged to the Duchy of Volhynia. Zygmunt IV took advantage of the moment when Kievan Rus invaded Livonia to seize parts of the Podlasie Duchy. This war was a continuation of a conflict interrupted by a civil war incited by Jerzy. Zygmunt marched with his forces toward the lands of Podlasie, beginning sieges on local strongholds.

Leaving part of his forces to lay siege to the fortresses in Podlasie, he advanced northward with the rest, hoping to provoke a Livonian reaction. During the march, he permitted his troops to plunder pagan villages they passed through, with the Mazovian soldiers committing murders, rapes, and abductions.

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On June 14, 1186, Zygmunt forces encountered the Livonian army heading south, led by Vaidginas I with 12,000 troops. The two armies met near the village of Olita. Zygmunt 17,500-strong Mazovian force attacked the pagan adversaries first, leading to a day-long battle that ended in the late evening. Zygmunt managed to break the enemy ranks through a charge by his heavily armored cavalry, after which the Livonians fled the battlefield in panic.

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This victory strengthened Zygmunt 's military skills, and he gained greater confidence in his leadership abilities. However, it did not bring about a decisive victory, as the Livonian army, though defeated, was not entirely broken. Zygmunt still needed to deliver a final blow to Vaidginas to force him into submission.

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Only two years later did a decisive battle take place. On August 15, 1188, a 12,000-strong Mazovian army clashed with 8,000 Livonian soldiers near the village of Wołkowysk. The battle unfolded precisely according to Zygmunt plan: an initial exchange of fire between archers and crossbowmen was followed by a charge from the lightly armored cavalry, supported by heavily armored knights attacking the flanks, which completely broke the enemy's lines and forced them to flee. The remnants of the Livonian forces scattered along with Vaidginas, who had fled as soon as the Mazovian cavalry began their charge.

This victory ultimately sealed the success of the campaign. Two days later, a Livonian envoy arrived in the Mazovian camp with peace terms proposed by Vaidginas, resulting in the return of the land of Berest to its rightful lord, the Duchy of Volhynia. This war brought Zygmunt closer to regaining some of the lands lost during the reign of Konrad III.

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On April 11, 1188, Zygmunt married his eldest daughter, Dobroniega, to King Eustace of France, while his other daughter, Jolanta, wed King Alfonso VIII the Noble of Castile. These marriages provided Zygmunt with powerful allies.

Pope Eugene V proclaimed a crusade against the Danes. The Kingdom of Denmark remained a pagan state, where prayers were offered to Odin and Thor. It was the last pagan country on the Scandinavian Peninsula, and Danish Vikings continued to raid the shores of many European countries, plundering churches and monasteries, killing many priests, and abducting nuns for vile purposes. Faced with such disgraceful practices lasting for centuries, the Apostolic See could no longer remain indifferent.

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On June 14, 1188, a crusade was launched to deal with the Danish Vikings once and for all. Zygmunt did not participate in this crusade, but his firstborn son answered the pope’s call and set out with his army toward Denmark. Unfortunately, Dytryk never returned from this expedition, as he died in a skirmish in Jutland. His younger brother, Konrad, Zygmunt second son, took the throne of Great Moravia. The crusade concluded in the summer of 1189, when the young Danish ruler realized he could not indefinitely fend off successive waves of crusaders. He decided to convert to Christianity, which was the ideal solution, as adopting Christianity allowed Didysis to retain his throne and rendered the crusade unnecessary. The Danes used one of their captives, the Bishop of Cornwall, to baptize Didysis on July 11, 1189.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

The Kingdom of Denmark remained a pagan state, where prayers were offered to Odin and Thor.

The event says they are Romuva, but was it just the King who worshipped the Baltic pantheon while the commoners worshipped the Norse pantheon?

 

[Chac1]

Thanks for the latest chapter. Role playing and writing from my perspective, I think it is always sad when the Norse buckle to the Catholics in a Crusade. I can certainly relate when the target is Denmark!

Sad too that the king's son died. On to Konrad's reign....