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

[kakom]

Chapter 35 (1190 - 1197)​

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The death of Dytryk during the Danish Crusade initiated claims to the Great Moravian throne, which was currently held by Zygmunt's second son, Konrad. King Arnulf II of Bavaria, who had dynastic ties with the Mojmirids, attacked Konrad to seize the Great Moravian throne from him. With the dynastic interests of the Zygmuntowski family in mind, Zygmunt marched with his army to support his son. However, the war with the Bavarians was not the only problem the Mazovian ruler faced, as Zygmunt’s treacherous son-in-law, Eustace I, the ruler of France, decided to place Konrad's sister, Dobroniega, on the Great Moravian throne.

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Zygmunt not only had to fight the Bavarians but also had to face the husband of his eldest daughter in battle. Although painful, this was necessary, as Konrad was his heir, whose rights to Great Moravia should not be questioned. Given this situation, it was essential to defeat the Bavarians before Eustace and his allies could gather their forces.

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The town of Vasvár became the site of the battle against the Bavarians. On July 27, 1194, the 17,000-strong army commanded by Emperor Zygmunt IV of Mazovia clashed with the 12,000-strong Bavarian army led by Arnulf II. Thanks to the numerical advantage of the Mazovian forces, they quickly overcame the Bavarians, who were forced to retreat, with the Bavarian forces ultimately completely routed and Arnulf fleeing.

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After this victory, Zygmunt marched toward the Bavarian capital, Munich. The Munich castle withstood several attacks but was ultimately captured. A few days later, Arnulf agreed to peace in exchange for renouncing his claims to the Great Moravian throne, recognizing Konrad as the rightful ruler of that realm. The war with the Bavarians lasted barely three years, ending with the signing of a peace treaty on August 16, 1195. During this time, Zygmunt ’s forces also repelled attacks from the French, which had been conducted in more or less coordinated efforts since early 1193.


Eustace had strong allies on his side, supported by Ireland, Aquitaine, and Lombardy. Zygmunt gathered the largest army ever assembled by Mazovian rulers—30,000 soldiers—to repel successive attacks. In April 1195, a battle was fought near Landshut, a Bavarian town.

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This battle was somewhat of an anomaly, as it occurred just days after Dobroniega’s death in childbirth, which effectively ended the conflict. However, due to the slow spread of information in those times, the battle still took place. On April 8, 1195, Lombard forces clashed with Mazovian troops in a battle that lasted from early morning until late afternoon, resulting in the rout and decimation of the Lombard knights. A few days later, Sigismund was informed of his daughter’s death. The Mazovian ruler felt mixed emotions at that moment, experiencing both sorrow and a certain satisfaction—sorrow for the loss of his firstborn, but satisfaction because his son and heir remained on the Great Moravian throne.

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Of minor importance to Mazovia and Zygmunt was the establishment of a kind of religion in West Africa. Emperor M'Bali of Mali reformed the beliefs of the local tribes, creating a centralized priesthood with the ruler of the Mali Empire as its head. A type of warrior order was also formed, tasked with fighting adherents of other religions. M'Bali’s decision was motivated by the desire to resist the invasions of his Muslim neighbors to the north.

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In the Mazovian state, Duke Przemysław of Kamieniec sponsored the founding of the Teutonic Order by donating one of his castles to the newly formed order. On August 11, 1196, the Teutonic Knights officially took possession of the castle from Przemysław, with the mission of defending his lands from pagan Ruthenian raids. This order consisted mostly of knights of German origin, though many Mazovian knights also eagerly joined its ranks.

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Zygmunt IV died at the age of 49, and the Mazovian Empire was inherited by his second son, Konrad, who, after Dytryk’s death during the crusade against the pagan Danes, had ascended the Great Moravian throne. Konrad V had not yet reached maturity, being only 15 years old, so until his 16th birthday, his mother Bożysława would govern on his behalf.

Mazovia, 1197.​

 

[kakom]

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

The population worshiped Scandinavian gods.

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....

In most games of CK2, the Scandinavian Crusades end with conquest or a change of religion. I don't play in that region very often myself.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

Mazovia and Great Moravia are now united as one realm, hopefully it makes the realm stronger.

 

[Chac1]

That was quite the chapter full of big battles. Now we will see how long Konrad will rule and what shape the kingdoms will be in during his reign.

 

[Ruwaard]

Mazovia and Great Moravia are now united as one realm, hopefully it makes the realm stronger.

Apart from dynastically, geopolitically this makes the moves of both Bavaria and France ever more understandable.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 36 (1197 - 1200)​

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Konrad V ascended the throne after the death of his father, Zygmunt IV. For several months until he reached adulthood, his mother, Bożysława, ruled on his behalf. A few months later, he assumed full control over his kingdom.

Upon reaching maturity, Konrad married the daughter of the King of Ireland. On December 2, 1198, Konrad V fell ill; the court physicians assured him that it was only a mild cold that would not endanger his health. Unfortunately, their assurances proved incorrect, as the illness developed into pneumonia, likely due to the damp conditions in the castle at Poznań.

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The Mazovian monarch’s health deteriorated with each passing week and month. As his condition worsened, Konrad V decided it was necessary to secure the future of the Mazovian Empire, as he was the last male representative of the Zygmuntowicz dynasty, and his death could plunge the state into chaos.

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Konrad V decreed that his heir would be his half-brother, Przemysław Przemyski, who was the natural son of Zygmunt IV. To strengthen Przemysław’s position over other vassals, Konrad granted him the title of Grand Duke of Galicia-Volhynia, with the intention that this would provide Przemysław an advantage over other potential claimants in the event of an internal conflict. Konrad V passed away on December 20, 1199. According to his will, Przemysław became the new Emperor and was crowned on January 18, 1200, at the Poznań Cathedral, as Przemysław I Przemyski.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

And another branch of the dynasty bites the dust.

If I understand correctly, the Zygmuntowicz dynasty was a cadet branch of the original dynasty founded by an illegitimate son, and I presume this is what happened again.

 

[kakom]

And another branch of the dynasty bites the dust.

If I understand correctly, the Zygmuntowicz dynasty was a cadet branch of the original dynasty founded by an illegitimate son, and I presume this is what happened again.

Yes that is correct.

 

[Chac1]

Yes that is correct.

Thanks for this update.

Sad to see Konrad's very short reign.

As this hasn't happened in one of my games, a gaming question please: is this game over and you switched to this new character through a save? Or will the game give you this new character and house to control?

 

[kakom]

Thanks for this update.

Sad to see Konrad's very short reign.

As this hasn't happened in one of my games, a gaming question please: is this game over and you switched to this new character through a save? Or will the game give you this new character and house to control?

That was the end of the game, I just changed my character through a save.

 

[kakom]

Mazovia in 1200 AD

Technological Advancement of the Mazovian Empire

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The core military strength of Mazovia was its professional army, maintained by the monarch and initially referred to as the royal retinue. The evolution of these armed forces began with the formation of the Mazovian state. Early rulers of the Masurian dynasty commanded a small retinue of about 2,000–3,000 soldiers, primarily consisting of lightly armed cavalry, archers, and spearmen.
By the end of this dynasty's reign, the retinue had grown to 6,000–7,000 troops. Following a successful civil war that secured the rule of Zygmunt I Zygmuntowicz, the force expanded further to 8,000–9,000 men.

Monarchs of the Zygmuntowicz dynasty based their power on this military formation, ensuring victorious outcomes in all internal conflicts. Zygmunt IV increased the numbers to 12,000, while Przemysław I Przemyski, founder of the third Mazovian dynasty, enlarged it to 15,500 soldiers. Currently, the army includes 1,200 spearmen, 1,300 heavily armed infantry, 4,500 archers and crossbowmen, 4,200 light cavalry, and over 4,000 heavy cavalry.

(Mazovian Warriors 11th - 12th century)​

The primary striking force consisted of heavy cavalry, supported by its lighter counterpart.

All soldiers in the Imperial retinue were recruited from domains directly governed by the ruler. Archers, crossbowmen, and light infantry, primarily spearmen, came from the plebeian class, drawn from peasants and townsfolk. Heavy infantry and both light and heavy cavalry were recruited from lesser noble families, including the sons of barons and counts across the Mazovian state.

The Mazovian heavy knights, part of the retinue, were equipped by their ruler similarly to all other members of this formation. Their equipment included helmets—heavy cavalry were outfitted with pot helmets that covered the entire head and neck. These helmets featured a vertical crest for nasal protection and horizontal slits for vision and breathing. Knights could adorn their helmets with plumes or artistically crafted crests, though they bore the cost themselves.

Light cavalry wore open, hemispherical helmets that did not cover the face but fit closely around the head, covering the ears. The lower face, neck, and nape were protected by a mail collar attached to the helmet. Light infantry typically wore only a mail hood that extended over the shoulders and protected the neck, while heavy infantry wore pot helmets.

The primary protective gear included shields, usually made of wood, covered with leather, and reinforced with metal fittings. Shields for both light and heavy cavalry as well as heavy infantry were triangular or almond-shaped. Armor in Mazovia typically consisted of chainmail and leather tunics reinforced with sewn-on metal rings or plates. Chainmail covered the entire body, including limbs, and was crafted from interlinked, small iron rings. Heavy cavalry wore a leather tunic reinforced with metal over their chainmail, which slightly restricted movement but offered additional protection against blows. Plate armor had not yet become widespread in the Empire and was only used by the wealthiest.

The primary weapon was the knight’s lance, consisting of a wooden shaft and an iron tip with a socket. It measured about 2 meters, with the tip being approximately 30 cm. Lances often featured a pennon embroidered with the knight’s coat of arms, the cost of which was borne by the knight. Additionally, knights carried a choice of weapons, including swords, maces, and axes. The Mazovian sword had a thick, straight, double-edged blade with a sharp point, making it effective for both cutting and thrusting. A simple or curved crossguard protected the hand. The sword’s length was around 110–130 cm, with 20–25 cm dedicated to the hilt. Maces had a simple, thick shaft with an iron head fitted with large, sharp spikes.

Projectile weapons included bows and crossbows. Mazovia used a western-style bow made of an elastic wooden rod and a string. Such bows measured between 120 and 180 cm in length. The arrows consisted of a wooden shaft and an iron tip. Bow rate of fire reached up to 10 arrows per minute, with an effective range of 200 meters.

In crossbows, the wooden bow was replaced with a steel spring, and a thicker string was used, mounted on a stock with a butt. At this time, Mazovia used crossbows without winding mechanisms, equipped with a stirrup for bracing with the foot while the string was manually or hook-drawn. These crossbows fired at a rate of one bolt per minute but with greater accuracy. The bolt, with its higher penetrating power compared to an arrow, had a similar effective range.

(Earthfort at the turn of the 9th-10th century, Earthfort at the turn of the 10th-11th century, Brick castle from the 11th - 12th century )​

In the early days of the Mazovian state, during the 9th and 10th centuries, defensive fortifications were constructed with the aid of natural features that enhanced their defensibility, such as rivers, lakes, or marshes. The primary materials used for building fortresses were wood, earth, sand, clay, gravel, and loose stones. The simplest form of fortification in the early days of Mazovia was the palisade—a wattle fence or vertically driven stakes. Its defensive capabilities were often enhanced by doubling or tripling the lines of stakes, which were usually secured with wooden connectors or anchored into solid wooden blocks serving as the foundation. The entire structure was complemented by dry or water-filled moats.

By the end of the 10th century, significant changes occurred in the construction of fortifications in Mazovia. More sophisticated earth-and-wood structures began to appear. One such design was the box rampart, which consisted of wooden box-like structures joined in a dovetail fashion, filled with earth, loose stones, and sometimes thick logs. These boxes, connected horizontally, formed ramparts often reaching heights of up to 12 meters. Such fortifications were more resistant to mechanical damage and fire than simple palisades. Another type of rampart used during this period was the grid rampart. These were constructed with stacked layers of logs, supported by beams and sealed with earth, sand, or clay. This design resulted in a robust, elastic, and cohesive structure stabilized by piloting posts.

The most vulnerable part of the rampart fortifications was the gate, which was the primary target during sieges. To protect it, a tower was often constructed directly above the gate, sometimes projecting beyond the rampart's perimeter. This design created a longer gate passage, making it more difficult to breach. These towers also flanked adjacent sections of the rampart, extending the defensive range. As fortresses grew, adjoining settlements (suburbs) were fortified and integrated with the main fortress, forming a multi-section defensive complex that was exceedingly difficult to encircle with a siege line. Some fortresses featured stone or brick structures, including churches, palaces, and freestanding towers, which often served as last-resort defensive positions.

The first stone fortifications, or castles, began to appear in Mazovia at the end of the 11th century. The main defensive element of a castle was its perimeter wall, built of stone or brick. The internal buildings varied in construction materials, shapes, and layouts. In most cases, the principle was to have buildings adjacent to the walls to minimize damage during sieges. The architectural layout of a castle was primarily influenced by topographical conditions. Fortresses on hills had layouts adapted to the terrain, often resulting in irregular shapes, while castles in lowlands were designed with regular layouts, a novelty at the time, and featured rectangular plans.

In such fortresses, the main tower was typically located in one corner, with the gate nearby and a rectangular residential building positioned along one of the walls. The outer perimeter of the fortress was reinforced with additional obstacles such as earthworks, water-filled moats, or palisades placed between the wall and the moat.

Map of cultures of the Masovian Empire​

1 - Masovian Culture 2 - Czech Culture 3 - Moravian Culture 4 - Polabian and Lusatian Slavic Culture 5 - Prussian Culture 6 - Lithuanian Culture 7 - Ruthenian Culture

Map of the Religions of the Masovian Empire.
1 - Roman Catholicism 2 - Orthodoxy 3 - Balt Paganism​

 

[Nikolai]

Realm is pretty unified with regards to religion and culture. This is good!

 

[Chac1]

Thank you for this update on the defenses and retinues of the realm. Very much the type of context needed for a history book.

 

[kakom]

Geopolitical situation of the known world, 1200.​

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Western Europe

The situation in Western Europe over the past 200 years has remained relatively unchanged. A successful crusade on the Iberian Peninsula ultimately ended the period of Islamic presence in this part of the European continent, with the lands falling under the control of the Knights Hospitaller. The Germanic lands, since the collapse of the Kingdoms of Lotharingia and East Francia, remain fragmented.

Francja - Kingdom of France
Akwitania - Kingdom of Aquitaine
Kastylia - Kingdom of Castile
Portugalia - Kingdom of Portugal
Leon - Kingdom of Leon
Królestwo Burgundii - Kingdom of Burgundy
Lombardia - Kingdom of Lombardy
Bawaria - Kingdom of Bavaria
Norwegia - Kingdom of Norway
Franconia - Duchy of Franconia
Brabancja - Duchy of Brabant
1 - Duchy of Luxembourg
2 - Duchy of Baden
3 - Duchy of Lorraine
4 - Duchy of Holstein
5 - Duchy of Guelders
6 - Duchy of Dyfed

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1 - Frankish Culture
2 - Occitanian Culture
3 - Catalan Culture
4 - Basque Culture
5 - Castilian Culture
6 - Leonese Culture
7 - Portuguese Culture
8 - Andalusian Culture
9 - Dutch Culture
10 - Frisian Culture
11 - Germanic Culture
12 - Lomard Culture
13 - Ligurian Culture
14 - Corsican Culture
15 - Sardinian Culture
16 - Venetian Culture
17 - Tuscan Culture
18 - Central Italian Culture

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1 - Roman Catholicism
2 - Orthodoxy
3 - Islam

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Northern Europe

The British Isles have been almost entirely dominated by the Kingdom of Ireland, which over the last 120 years has managed to assert its dominance over nearly all the territories of Scotland and Wales. The English lands remain fragmented into independent duchies, vying for supremacy among themselves. In Scandinavia, the status quo between kingdoms has largely persisted, with the notable exception of the Kingdom of Gautariki, which remains pagan. Other Scandinavian nations, apart from the Finno-Ugric tribes of Finland, have adopted Christianity.

Islandia - Iceland
Irlandia - Ireland
Norwegia - Norway
Szwecja - Sweden
Samowie - Sami
Dania – Denmark
Karelia
Tawestian
Gautariki
1 - Duchy of Cumbria
2 - Duchy of Lancaster
3 - Duchy of Norfolk
4 - Duchy of Essex
5 - Duchy of Kent
6 - Duchy of Wessex
7 - Duchy of the Faroe Islands

1 - Old Norse Culture
2 - Scottish Culture
3 - Irish Culture
4 - Goidelic Culture
5 - Anglo-Saxon Culture
6 - Welsh Culture
7 - Norwegian Culture
8 - Swedish Culture
9 - Danish Culture
10 - Lapp Culture
11 - Finnish Culture
12 - Karelian Culture

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1 - Roman Catholicism
2 - Scandinavian Paganism
3 - Finno-Ugric Paganism

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe has been almost entirely dominated by pagan kingdoms. This region hosts three pagan states, the most powerful of which is the Novgorod Rus. The Crimean Kingdom is an Orthodox state ruled by the Magyars.

Liwonia - Livonia
Ruś Nowogrodzka - Novgorodian Rus
Krym - Crimea
Perm
Aktobe

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1 - Finnish Culture
2 - Karelian Culture
3 - Mordovian Culture
4 - Mari Culture
5 - Komyak Culture
6 - Proto-Bulgarian Culture
7 - Turkish Culture
8 - Hungarian Culture
9 - Ruthenian Culture
10 - Masovian Culture
11 - Livonian Culture
12 - Old Prussian Culture
13 - Galindian Culture
14 - Estonian Culture
15 - Livonian Culture

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Slavic Religion
Orthodox Christianity
Tenginism
Ugro-Finn Religion
1 - Scandinavian Paganism
2 - Balt Paganism

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Southern Europe and the Near East

The Bulgarian Tsardom has collapsed over the last two centuries, with part of its lands absorbed by Byzantium. On the remaining territories, new states have emerged, such as the Kingdoms of Wallachia and Moldavia. In Italy, the Greek Kontomytes dynasty has established the Kingdom of Sicily. The Persian Saffarid dynasty, followers of Zoroastrianism, has managed to restore the fallen Persian Empire. The current King of Kings, Esfandir IV, traces his traditions back to the Sasanian and Achaemenid Empires. This marks the resurgence of a powerful rival to the former Roman Empire.

Królestwo Bawarii - Kingdom of Bavaria
Królestwo Lombardii - Kingdom of Lombardy
Królestwo Karyntii - Kingdom of Carinthia
Królestwo Sycylii - Kingdom of Sicily
Królestwo Chorwacji - Kingdom of Croatia
Królestwo Gruzji - Kingdom of Georgia
Imperium Bizancjum - Byzantium Empire
Królestwo Armenii - Kingdom of Armenia
Rassid Sułtanat - Rassid Sultanate
Imperium Perskie - Persian Empire
Abdulid Emirat - Abdulid Emirate
1 - Order of Saint John
2 - Kingdom of Antioch
3 - Kingdom of Lesser Armenia
4 - Republic of Sardinia and Corsica
5 - Papal States
6 - Duchy of Baleton
7 - Duchy of Raba
8 - Duchy of Pest
9 - Duchy of Chrobati
10 - Kingdom of Wallachia
11 - Kingdom of Moldavia

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1 - German Culture
2 - Venetian Culture
3 - Lombard Culture
4 - Tuscan Culture
5 - Central Italian Culture
6 - Lomdobard Culture
7 - Southern Italian Culture
8 - Croatian Culture
9 - Moravian Culture
10 - Avar Culture
11 - Serbian Culture
12 - Bulgarian Culture
13 - Greek Culture
14 - Georgian Culture
15 - Aremian Culture
16 - Kurdish Culture
17 - Persian Culture
18 - Turkish Culture
19 - Mashriq Culture
20 - Egyptian Culture
21 - Levantine Culture
22 - Sardinian Culture
23 - Corsican Culture
24 - Azantine Culture
25 - Nubian Culture
26 - Maghreb Culture
27 - Frankish Culture

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1 - Roman Catholicism
2 - Orthodoxy
3 - Zoroastrianism
4 - Coptic Church
5 - Sunnism
6 - Tengrism
7 - Nestorianism
8 - Judaism
9 - Monothelitism

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Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

By the year 1200, the African continent was dominated by several powerful pagan states, the strongest of which is the Mali Empire. The northern part of the continent was controlled by two sultanates: the Rassid dynasty ruled over the territories of Egypt, while the Aghlabids controlled the regions of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. In the western and southern parts of the continent, there exist three Christian kingdoms, the largest of which are Nubia and Abyssinia. The Arabian Peninsula is entirely under the control of the Abdulid Caliphate.

Rassid Sultanate
Nubia
Abyssinia
Abdulid Caliphate
Fezan
Aghladid Sultanate
Kanem-Boru
Maikele Bahr
Mali
1 - Canary Islands Tribes
2 - Order of Saint John
3 - Idiil Emirate
4 - Khareddin Emirate

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1 - Magrebian Culture
2 - Occitan Culture
3,21 - Bedouin culture
4,16 - Azanta Culture
5 - Canary Culture
6 - Soninke culture
7 - Songhai culture
8 - Tuareg culture
9 - Wolof culture
10 - Mande culture
11 - Hausa culture
12 - Kanuri culture
13 - Tamashek Culture
14 - Kel-Tamashek Culture
15 - Egyptian Culture
17 - Nubian Culture
18 - Beja Culture
19 - Kultura Daju
20 - Ethiopian Culture
22 - Culture of the Levant
23 - Frankish Culture

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1 - Roman Catholicism
2 - Yazidism
3 - Ibadi
4 - Reformed African Paganism
5 - African Paganism
6 - Orthodoxy
7 - Sunnism
8 - Coptic Church
9 - Ethiopian Church
10 - Monothelitism

 

[NarcomancerPL]

*Tengryzm
These Joannites look insanely strong. Persia with the zoroastrian comeback is something else, but I love it <3
Fragmented islam really doesn't look like number one enemy of catholicism in you megacampaign. I kinda like the fact like almost every single muslim realm believe in different kind of islam (yazidi isn't really an islam, but game treats it as such).
Also funny seeing how Italians are divided and how Germans are weirdly monolithic

 

[kakom]

Chapter 37 (1200 - 1210)

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Przemysław I Przemyski was the illegitimate son of Zygmunt IV and the brother of Konrad V, the last ruler of the Zygmuntowicz dynasty on the Mazovian throne. Before inheriting the Mazovian throne, Przemysław married Princess Agnes Potocka of Prussia, with whom he had a daughter, Euphorosyne. Despite being an illegitimate descendant of Zygmunt IV, Przemysław secured the throne through his brother's testament, which bequeathed him the throne along with all associated lands and privileges.

Due to his illegitimate birth—Przemysław was reportedly born near Przemyśl, a fact that inspired both his name and the name of the new ruling dynasty—a faction of Mazovian nobles sought to overthrow him.

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At the head of this faction was Ryszard Rogalski, Duke of Pomerania, who claimed the Mazovian throne through his lineage, as his family traced its origins to Mieszko Rogalski, the illegitimate son of Siemomysł Mazur, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Mazovia. Richard Rogalski garnered support from several significant vassals of Przemysław. If allowed to continue, Ryszard 's actions would almost certainly have led to a civil war aimed at placing him on the Mazovian throne.

Przemysław reacted swiftly to this threat. Within days, Ryszard Rogalski was captured and imprisoned based on fabricated evidence accusing him of conspiracy against Przemysław. His ducal title was stripped and granted to one of his former vassals, Mirosław of Czarnków, Count of Słupsk. The forgery of incriminating letters bearing Ryszard 's signature was orchestrated by Przemysław's loyal chancellor, Konrad of Tarnów, a trusted servant of both the former and the current Mazovian rulers. Through the successful fabrication of evidence and subsequent imprisonment of Richard, Przemysław avoided a civil war that could have severely weakened the Mazovian state.

Family tree of the Przemyski dynasty.

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On April 7, 1200, Przemysław's second daughter, Wolislava, was born. On May 11, 1201, his firstborn son, Jan, came into the world, followed by his fourth child and second son, Henryk, on November 10, 1205. The birth of two sons gave Przemysław hope that the dynasty he founded would withstand the test of time. The Mazovian ruler aspired for his descendants to continue his work in building a powerful Central European state.


From 1201 to 1210, Przemysław I, known as "The Bastard," conducted three significant military campaigns.

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The First Campaign (1201–1203)

After the birth of his firstborn, Jan Przemyski, Przemysław launched a campaign to seize the Belz region from the pagan Kingdom of Livonia. This war, lasting from 1201 to 1203, was brief yet exceptionally bloody. It concluded with the decisive defeat of the Livonian forces at the Battle of Sēlpils, where the 4,500-strong pagan army was annihilated by a 14,000-strong Mazovian force.


The Second Campaign (1204–1206)

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The second campaign targeted the weakened Novgorod Rus and aimed to annex the Volkovysk County, part of the Podlasian duchy. With Novgorod Rus embroiled in a conflict with Kiev for supremacy, the Mazovian Empire faced minimal resistance and emerged victorious.

The Third Campaign (1206–1209)

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The final conflict of this period was the second war against the Kingdom of Livonia, fought from 1206 to 1209. This campaign sought to seize the entire Lithuanian duchy from the hands of Vaidiginas II, the young Livonian ruler. In October 1206, three Mazovian armies, each 15,000 strong, crossed the Livonian border, targeting specific fortresses. Przemysław restricted his soldiers from committing any atrocities—such as rape, plunder, or murder—against the local population in the captured villages, towns, and fortresses.

​

The campaign culminated in a decisive battle near Ełk. The pagan Livonian army, numbering 8,000, clashed with the 14,000-strong Mazovian forces led by Przemysław. Fought on marshy terrain near the town, the battle devolved into skirmishes between smaller units. Ultimately, Mazovian knights emerged victorious due to their numerical superiority.

 

[Chac1]

And so a new House rises. Congrats on dodging the civil war. That was some deft maneuvering.

 

[kakom]

​

Chapter 38 (1210 – 1215)

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Przemysław's eldest daughter, Euphorosyne, was married to Bernard, the heir to the Lombard throne and the son of the reigning Queen of Lombardy. This marriage was motivated primarily by prestige, as the Przemyski dynasty, founded by Przemysław, was seen in Europe as nouveau riche, despite Przemysław ruling one of the continent’s most powerful states.

To counter this perception and elevate his family's status, Przemysław arranged his daughter's marriage into one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious dynasties—the Unruochinger, an ancient house that began around 892 and had ruled the Lombard Kingdom in northern Italy uninterruptedly since 952.

​

In July 1212, following the death of the previous Grand Prince of Kiev, Przemysław seized the opportunity to renew his campaign against pagan territories. His target was the Duchy of Turov, a constituent part of Kievan Rus. Assembling a 45,000-strong army, he swiftly defeated the weakened Kievan forces and laid siege to fortresses across Turov.

​

During Przemysław’s absence, his fifth child, a daughter named Margaret, was born on August 12, 1213.

​

In November 1212, news reached Poznań of Burgundy's Duke Adalbert, a distant relative of the previous Zygmuntowicz dynasty, who claimed the Mazovian crown. For nearly two years, Adalbert had been gathering mercenaries and various adventurers, many of whom were landless third sons of minor nobles forced into service under more powerful lords. In August 1214, while Mazovia was embroiled in its second war with Kievan Rus, Adalbert launched his campaign with an army of about 25,000 troops.

​

Adalbert divided his forces into two armies: the vanguard, comprising 10,000 soldiers, and the main force of 15,000. As Mazovian troops besieged fortresses in Turov, Przemysław hastily assembled 25,000 soldiers from his besieging forces and marched to Bavaria to intercept Adalbert's advancing mercenaries. In Bavaria, Przemysław managed to crush Adalbert’s vanguard, which had arrived days before the main force. On June 12, 1214, the decisive battle took place near Colmberg. Przemysław captured Adalbert and routed his forces.

​

A few months later, on October 12, 1214, Grand Prince Rogvolod of Kiev acknowledged the superiority of Przemysław’s forces and initiated peace negotiations. As a result, Rogvolod renounced all claims to the territory recognized by the Mazovian Empire as the Duchy of Turov. Przemysław’s aspirations to spread Christianity through fire and sword began yielding significant results, with Mazovia substantially expanding its eastern borders.

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Denmark, which had recently been converted to Christianity through the Northern Crusades, was grappling with a pagan uprising and a war against Gautariki, the last pagan state in Scandinavia. Unable to manage these challenges, Danish King Korigaila I invited the Order of the Teutonic Knights to assist. In return, the Order received the county of Östergötland as eternal possession. While this decision aimed to benefit both Christianity and Denmark, only time would reveal whether it was wise or disastrous. The Teutonic Grand Master officially took possession of the castles in November 1214.

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In August 1214, a diplomatic mission led by Bezprym of Konin reached Tbilisi, the capital of the powerful Georgian Orthodox kingdom. Bezprym’s task was to deliver letters from Przemysław to the reigning Georgian king, Bagrat V. These letters proposed a dynastic alliance to be sealed through the marriage of Przemysław’s eldest son, Jan, to Mathiko, Bagrat’s third daughter. Bagrat accepted the proposal, and Bezprym arranged the betrothal on Jan's behalf, as the boy was still a minor. The wedding would take place once Jan reached adulthood, with Mathiko remaining under her father’s care until then.

​

From the distant steppe plains of Central Asia, alarming rumors began to reach Europe. These tales spoke of a certain Temüjin, a leader of one of the Mongol tribes, who had supposedly united these nomadic people into an unstoppable horde destroying everything in its path. Such rumors reached Mazovia in 1215 through emissaries of the Crimean Hungarians. Bezprym of Konin, returning from his mission to secure Mathiko’s hand in marriage, heard these stories during a banquet held in his honor at the Crimean ruler’s palace. Interpreting the rumors as unlikely and exaggerated, Bezprym mentioned them only in passing during his audience with Przemysław, reassuring his sovereign that they were likely mere tall tales.

 

[Chac1]

Thanks for the new chapter. The wars to stop the adventurer and to take Kiev provided some excellent action.

Also, need to compliment you on how you are deploying the artwork for this AAR. Your choices are excellent. Is there a source for them?

Finally, like how you are arranging artwork over the game artwork to enhance it. Well done.

 

[kakom]

Thanks for the new chapter. The wars to stop the adventurer and to take Kiev provided some excellent action.

Also, need to compliment you on how you are deploying the artwork for this AAR. Your choices are excellent. Is there a source for them?

Finally, like how you are arranging artwork over the game artwork to enhance it. Well done.

It's hard to say practically years ago they were done. I had it so that I look through various historical illustrations and save on disk those that I like.