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

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Chapter 19 (1047–1055)

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Konrad, the only son of Zygmunt II and the third ruler of the Mazovian kingdom from the Zygmunytowskiej Dynasty. Thanks to his father's efforts, he received a solid education, but unlike his father, he did not display strategic genius—he was rather a competent commander. He also lacked the ambition of his predecessor to build an empire. His primary goal was to exact revenge on Stanisław for the humiliations suffered by both him and his father when Stanisław served as regent. Konrad quickly set his plan in motion, forming a conspiracy to take away the Santocko Starosty from him.


On April 21, 1048, Mieszko, Konrad's uncle and the Bishop of Gniezno, was sent on a mission to convert the pagan Danes. Initially welcomed by them, Mieszko's teachings gained popularity, which led the Danish king to imprison him and eventually sacrifice him to their gods. Konrad attempted to recover his uncle’s body, paying Ketil its weight in gold. In the following years, Konrad petitioned several popes to recognize Mieszko's martyrdom and sainthood. It wasn’t until Pope Leo V, from the Carolingian Dynasty, declared him blessed, and a few years later, Mieszko was canonized, becoming the first Mazovian saint and the patron saint of Mazovia.


In August 1050, Mlada, Konrad’s wife from the Přemyslid Dynasty, passed away childless, dashing his hopes of gaining control over the Duchy of Bohemia through this marriage. Konrad had delayed her installment in Bohemia until she could bear him a son.


In September of the same year, he married Luitgarda von Babenberg, daughter of Martin, ruler of Carinthia and Queen of Bavaria. Luitgarda was their direct heir. She was intelligent and resourceful but shy and avoided contact with people. A year later, she gave birth to a son named Zygmunt after Konrad's father and grandfather.


Unfortunately, during her second pregnancy, Luitgarda fell ill. Her condition worsened day by day, and she ultimately died along with her unborn child.


In April 1053, Konrad married Petronella Macedonian, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor. Since she had two brothers, her chances of claiming the imperial throne were slim. However, the alliance with the Eastern Empire was highly beneficial for Konrad, as it secured his southern borders.


By October 1054, Konrad had gathered enough support to demand Stanisław return the Santocko Starosty. However, Stanisław did not yield to Konrad’s demand, which ultimately played into the Mazovian ruler's hands. Konrad assembled his personal retinue, which now numbered nearly 5,500 men, and laid siege to Santok and Krakow. After a year, both strongholds fell, and Stanisław found himself imprisoned in Poznań, where he entertained Konrad with his pitiful wails.

 

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Chapter 20 (1055–1065)​

In November 1055, Konrad's sister, Jadwiga, married Sidbjorn, third in line to the Norwegian throne. Norway had only five years earlier embraced Christianity, when Queen Pyra baptized herself along with all her relatives, thus bringing Norway into the fold of Roman Catholic states.

The newly annexed territories of Kievan Rus were areas frequently plagued by pagan uprisings, with the native Rus attempting to throw off the yoke of Christianity. The most significant rebellion occurred in 1057, when a leader named Wolodar rallied an 8,000-strong force near Korsun. Konrad marched at the head of an army of about 10,000 to crush the uprising. The battle near Bohopol decisively ended the rebellion.

In 1059, Konrad's second son, Przemysław, was born. Petronela was also the mother of Konrad's third son, named Konrad. Unfortunately, Petronela passed away in 1061 due to pneumonia, which she had contracted the previous autumn. Her death deeply shook Konrad, as she was his third wife whom he had grown to love. The murder of his firstborn son, Zygmunt, whose killers were never found, further devastated him. Zygmunt was slain after ascending to the throne of Carinthia. Konrad suspected that Albert, the new ruler of Carinthia, was behind the murder.

Przemysław’s death, brought on by poor health, forced Konrad to marry a fourth time. This time, his bride was Finguala, the younger sister of Irish King Gilla-Comgáin.

Konrad, much like his father Zygmunt, decided to invade the Pomeranians to seize the Duchy of Mecklenburg. Pomerania was ruled by Hawel II at the time. The conflict was inevitable; Konrad realized that if he did not claim the territory, other Christian rulers or pagan Danes from the north would.

The conflict lasted only two years, as Hawel was unable to effectively resist Konrad’s forces. His kingdom was weak, and the repeated wars with Mazovia had left it defenseless against its neighbors. When the last stronghold in Mecklenburg fell, Hawel conceded defeat, acknowledging Konrad’s claim to the lands.

After Stanisław met his miserable end in a dungeon, the Krakow starosty was inherited by his daughter, his only surviving heir, as the others perished during the siege of Santok. Eager to reclaim the Krakow starosty, Konrad orchestrated the assassination of Wolisława. The successful plot restored to him all the lands that his father had once ruled directly.

 

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Chapter 21 (1065–1080)​

On July 15, 1067, Konrad revoked the privileges and rights that had been introduced by Stanisław during his regency. This allowed him to gain greater control over his vassals. The internal situation of the country returned to the period before Stanisław had begun exploiting his position as the regent of Zygmunt II.

Konrad's marriage to Finuguala resulted in the birth of their son, Imram, on June 12, 1069. Later, the couple had a daughter, Konstancja, and their last child was Edward. The youngest son of Konrad was destined for the clergy, and Edward would eventually become the most powerful man in medieval Europe.

On November 7, 1072, Konrad decided to deal with the pagan kingdom of Pomerania once and for all, launching an invasion and annexing their last remaining lands. Lübeck, after being conquered by Konrad, was transformed into a small trade republic. The city was perfectly suited for this purpose, as it was located along the trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.

On February 12, 1077, a marriage took place between Barbora of Psov and Konrad, the heir to Mazovia. This wedding was a carefully planned event, as Barbora held claims to Bohemia, and Konrad intended to use these claims to expand his influence. After the wedding, Konrad received the Duchy of Mazovia as his own.

A few months after Konrad's marriage to Barbora, her claims to the Duchy of Bohemia were put forward by the ruler of Mazovia. The young Czech prince, Čeněk, was Barbora's cousin. Konrad I was pleased that his daughter-in-law was already pregnant, ensuring the possibility that Bohemia might remain in the hands of the Zygmuntowski dynasty.

The war itself was limited to a single battle fought near Wettin. Konrad I, leading an 11,000-strong army, clashed with the Czech forces, which numbered half as many. The battle ended in a Mazovian victory, and when news of the defeat reached Prague, Čeněk fled to Bavaria for refuge. Thus, Barbora became the new Duchess of Bohemia.

On July 2, 1080, Konrad I died at the age of 50, and his eldest son was crowned as Konrad II. Konrad I had ended the existence of the pagan Slavic state in Pomerania. He had nearly succeeded in uniting all lands inhabited by the Western Slavs under his rule. He also secured Bohemia for his son’s wife, Barbora of Psov.

Kingdom of Masovia and Duchy of Bohemia 1080 AD​

 

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Chapter 22 (1080–1090)​

Konrad II was born with a cleft lip, a condition that made his speech difficult to understand. This speech impediment often led to frustration, and at times he would fall into a rage when forced to repeat himself to be understood. Like his predecessors, he received a military education and, like his father, was a competent leader. His positive traits included diligence and extraordinary generosity.

On April 21, 1081, Konrad's wife, Barbora, asked for his help in dealing with a rebellion sparked against her by Count Zdenek of Brehny. The forces left behind by Konrad II's father were insufficient to control the situation. In response, Konrad gathered about 8,000 men and set out to aid his wife.

The battle near the town of Naumburg ended the rebellion against Barbora. After Konrad arrived in Prague, he demanded that his wife and their daughter, Matilda, return with him to Poznań. In Barbora's absence, her chancellor, Henryk Dubrawski, was to govern. In Poznań, their second daughter, Agnieszka, was born, followed later by their third daughter, Euforyzana.

On July 5, 1085, Konrad's half-sister, Konstancja, married Waldemar, the heir to the Norwegian throne. Norway was currently ruled by Mellet, Waldemar's father and the son of Pyra, who had inherited the throne. His older brother, Sibjorn, died before he could claim the crown.

Konrad's generosity benefited his half-brother, Imram, to whom he granted the Kievan duchy. Imram was the half-brother of the Mazovian monarch, whose mother was the Irish princess Finnuguala. She moved to her son's court after he settled in Kiev.

On April 13, 1086, Konrad II decided to invade the Lithuanians. All previous peaceful attempts to convert them, made both by Konrad and his predecessors, had failed. In such a case, the sword was necessary to bend their necks before the cross on which Christ died for the sins of the world.

As Konrad's forces crossed the border between the two kingdoms and entered the impenetrable Baltic forests, they were met by Treniotas, who had laid an ambush. Konrad was severely wounded, with almost his entire left arm hacked off by the Lithuanian grand duke. To save his life, the court physician was forced to amputate the arm below the shoulder joint. Konrad experienced the worst pain of his life as the medics sealed his wound with hot iron.

A year and a half later, Konrad launched another invasion of Lithuania, gathering an army of nearly 17,000 men. This time, he avoided the large forests where ambushes could easily be set. Instead, he chose open terrain for the movement of his troops. In November 1088, he managed to force a battle near Grodno, where his forces quickly defeated the 8,000-strong Lithuanian army.

Konrad learned a valuable lesson from these experiences: a commander should never lead from the front lines but should observe the battle from a safe distance to coordinate and deliver a decisive blow at the right moment. He realized that commanding an army was like swordplay.

That evening, while walking across the battlefield, Konrad heard a whisper seemingly carried by the wind from all directions. In the sky, he saw a large, blood-red cross, and he felt that, like Constantine, God himself was speaking to him. The Mazovian monarch quickly fell to his knees and began to pray, cursing his disability since he could not fold his hands in prayer. He considered this event a miracle, revealing that he was chosen by God for great deeds.

A few months after this event, peace was made between Konrad and Treniotas. The latter relinquished the Podlasie lands to Konrad, who granted the region of Bielsk Podlaski to his younger brother, Edward. This became the first bishopric in Lithuanian lands. Konrad then sought Pope Innocent IV's approval to grant him supremacy over the remaining Lithuanian territories.

 

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Chapter 23 (1090-1100)

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On February 28, 1090, the fourth daughter of Konrad and Barbora Kena was born. A year later, their long-awaited son was born, whom Konrad named Zygmunt, after the founder of the dynasty. With Barbora, Konrad had five children. The birth of a son and heir ensured Konrad that Bohemia would become part of the Mazovian kingdom. In December 1092, Barbora passed away, and Zygmunt, at just one year old, became the new Duke of Bohemia. Konrad sent his castellan, Bolesław, to rule Bohemia on Zygmunt’s behalf until he reached manhood.

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Konrad knew that having just one male heir did not guarantee the survival of the dynasty, so he married Saga, the daughter of the Norwegian king Mellet. A year after their wedding, Konrad's fifth daughter, Aldona, was born.

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In October 1096, the Mazovian ruler decided to embark on a pilgrimage to Rome. Since experiencing visions on a battlefield near Grodno, he had longed to visit the tombs of the apostles and martyrs in this holy city.

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During his journey to Rome, Konrad came across a bridge construction site over the river Po in northern Italy. His curiosity led him to observe the workers. The master builder noticed him and offered to share his knowledge.

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Unfortunately, Rome disappointed Konrad. The audience with Pope Constantine III turned into a decadent feast, and the pope's behavior dishonored the office he held. Konrad realized that his brother Edward was a more devout man, dedicated to Mary, than the current pope.

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On February 22, 1098, Konrad arranged for his eldest daughter, Matilda, to marry King Mellet of Norway. Sadly, King Mellet died a year later, and Matilda returned to her father's court.

 

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Chapter 24 (1100-1114)

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On January 2, 1100, Matilda, the eldest daughter of Konrad II, married Louis, heir to the Lombard throne. Agnes, Conrad's second daughter, received a marriage proposal from the distant kingdom of Sennar; she was to marry the reigning ruler of that state, Apouliumen. Konrad decided to accept the proposal. On May 1, 1106, Euphorized married the new King of Norway, Sigtrygg. Two years later, Konrad's fourth daughter, Kena, was wed to King Alfonso VI of Castile.

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Over time, Konrad grew increasingly disgusted with the actions of Pope Constantine III. However, an open conflict with the pope only arose at the beginning of 1109, when Constantine demanded that Konrad change the law of free investiture in the territory of Mazovia. Konrad's outright refusal led Constantine to place a curse on the Mazovian monarch. In response, Konrad appointed his brother Edward as Antipope, who took the name Symmachus IV. Constantine excommunicated both Konrad and Edward, but this had little effect once a 21,000-strong army was already marching towards the Italian Peninsula.

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By December 1110, Konrad's forces crossed the Alps and headed towards Rome. Konrad led the 20,000-strong army to overthrow Constantine III and place his younger brother on the papal throne. Along the way, no one dared challenge the forces of the King of Mazovia. The counts, dukes, and kings of Italy lacked the means to stop his army's advance, and most were favorable to his cause—Constantine was one of the more hated popes.

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The battle that decided Constantine III's fate took place outside the walls of Castel Sant'Angelo, where he had taken refuge before Konrad’s forces reached the city. The Papal Guard and hired Italian mercenaries could not protect him from what was to come. For the first time since the Vandal invasion, the Eternal City became a prize for invaders. The battle for Castel Sant'Angelo lasted several days, during which the entire city became the scene of horrific violence. Despite Konrad's orders to spare the city's inhabitants, there were widespread looting and rapes.

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On July 2, 1111, Constantine was captured, betrayed by his cardinals who sought to save their own lives. Constantine, in exchange for his life, renounced his claim to the Papal throne in favor of Symmachus. He spent the rest of his days in one of the many Benedictine monasteries within the Kingdom of Mazovia. Konrad kept the location secret, but after his death, Constantine was murdered, likely on Symmachus’s orders.

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Konrad II died at the age of 53, leaving the Kingdom of Mazovia to his eldest son Zygmunt, Duke of Bohemia. Zygmunt was crowned as Zygmunt III a few days after his father's funeral. Konrad II's reign can be considered successful. He expanded the kingdom's eastern borders slightly, and his conflict with Pope Constantine III resulted in the appointment of his brother Edward as Antipope, ultimately placing him on the papal throne.

Kingdom of Mazovia 1114​

 

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Chapter 25 (1114-1126)

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Zygmunt III inherited a cleft lip from his father, which caused him difficulty in speaking. This defect contributed to his growing up as an extremely sluggish and cowardly young man. Despite Konrad's efforts to educate him, he became a mediocre commander. The only virtues of the new monarch were his kindness and honesty towards others. When Zygmunt began his reign, messengers almost simultaneously arrived in Poznań, informing the monarch that his two older sisters had passed away. Euphorisana and Agnes died due to a plague sweeping across the entire European continent, with smallpox claiming many lives.

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Four months after the death of Konrad II, Saga, his second wife, gave birth to a son. Named Konrad, this posthumous child was recognized by Zygmunt as his father's offspring because, like him, he also had a cleft lip, a clear sign he was fathered by Konrad II. Since he was born after Konrad's death, Zygmunt did not have to worry about his claims to the throne.

Symachus IV, seated on the papal throne by his brother Konrad II, found himself in an awkward situation, as he had not been elected by the conclave and was not respected by bishops throughout Europe. To legitimize his position as the successor of Saint Peter, he sought to divert secular rulers' attention from the question of his legal claim to Rome. He concluded that the best way to achieve this was through war—a war in God's name against the infidels. On April 22, 1116, in St. Peter's Square, he delivered his address to the assembled crowd, painting a vivid picture of the atrocities supposedly committed by the Saracens against poor pilgrims who only sought to bow before the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He declared that the time had come for the Holy Land to once again be in Christian hands.

However, he did not stop there. Symachus presented a vision in which, according to his view, the entire Mediterranean coastline should return to Christian control, as it was before the barbarian Muslim hordes spilled out of the Arabian Peninsula. The knightly orders, a new type of military formation, emerged from this period in medieval European culture. Until then, knights fought for their lords in exchange for sustenance, often leading brutal lives that required breaking divine commandments, thus condemning their souls to damnation. But with the Church offering full absolution of sins for fighting in the name of the cross against the Saracens, many chose to join knightly orders to atone for their past deeds.

This is roughly how the first two knightly orders were formed: the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon (commonly known as the Templars), and the Sovereign Military Order of the Hospital of Saint John (known as the Hospitallers). Both orders aimed to fight Saracens, pagans, and heretics. They were founded before Symachus IV proclaimed the First Crusade to the Holy Land. A year after Symachus IV announced this new path for the Church and Christianity, preparations for the crusade were completed. On April 16, 1117, Symachus IV celebrated mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome, praying for the success of the endeavor. Knights from across the continent attended, including Sigismund III, who had decided to participate in the crusade and sought the Pope's blessing before marching toward Jerusalem.

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Two days later, the crusading forces set off for the Holy Land, occupied by the Caliphate of the Abdulids. Zygmunt gathered the largest army ever mustered by the Mazovian rulers—26,000 troops. They made their first stop in Constantinople, from where they crossed into Asia Minor. Without encountering any resistance, they marched to Antioch, where they stayed for several weeks, during which Sigismund admired the ancient and picturesque city. On June 20, 1118, Zygmunt and his forces entered Muslim-occupied territories and marched on Sidon. This city was a strategically important point due to its location near the Kingdom of Antioch's border, from which new crusader forces were continually arriving. By capturing Sidon, Sigismund would secure a foothold for further crusade expansion and an important supply point.

(First Crusade march route)
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Within a few weeks, Zygmunt forces managed to breach the city's walls. Following the capture, looting, murders, and rapes occurred with Sigismund's approval, as he believed the Muslims deserved no mercy. Only the local Copts were placed under royal protection and were not to be harmed.

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After looting Sidon, Zygmunt army marched toward another wealthy city, Haifa, while the rest of the crusader forces under papal command headed toward Jerusalem. Haifa was stormed in March 1119, and like Sidon, it was almost completely plundered, with most of its Muslim inhabitants massacred.

On July 30, 1119, outside the walls of Jerusalem, the only battle of the crusade took place. The Caliph Badshah Qward's army of nearly 35,000 attempted to break the siege of the holy city, which had been ongoing for months. The main commander of the crusaders, Grand Master of the Hospitallers, Mathieu Amalric, led a force of nearly 28,000 men. The arrival of Zygmunt 18,000-strong army at a crucial moment during the battle tipped the scales in favor of the Crusaders. With the Caliph's forces defeated, the crusade was nearly complete. Four weeks later, when Jerusalem fell to the Crusaders, the First Crusade was declared over.

Symachus IV entrusted the Holy Land to the Hospitallers, whom he believed contributed most to its recovery for Christianity.
Zygmunt III was disappointed by the Pope's decision, as he believed he had contributed the most to the crusade's success and deserved the honor. However, the Mazovian ruler had to accept Symachus's decision and return home with the spoils of war. Zygmunt journey back took nearly a year.

When he returned to Poznań in the autumn of 1121, a civil war was raging in the Great Moravian State. Queen Catherine was fighting against the opposition, which had rebelled to dethrone her and install another candidate from the Mojmir dynasty. Zygmunt decided to take advantage of this opportunity to incorporate the County of Kłodzko into the Mazovian Kingdom.

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This war lasted only two years, and on August 15, 1123, a peace treaty was signed in which Catherine ceded Kłodzko to Sigismund. During one of his travels through his lands, Zygmunt was forced to take a less-traveled road due to a fallen tree blocking the original path, making the detour faster. Unfortunately, this turned out to be an elaborate trap set by one of Zygmunt enemies. The royal carriage was ambushed by a group of well-armed bandits. During the ensuing fight between the carriage's guards and the bandits, Zygmunt was mortally wounded. As he slowly bled to death, he pondered who could benefit from his demise. The obvious candidate was his direct heir, Konrad, but the boy was too young to organize such a bold attack. It had to be orchestrated by Saga, Konrad's mother, or perhaps by Jan, Duke of Lusatia, who had claims to the throne. Ultimately, it no longer mattered, as Zygmunt III drew his last breath just as his retinue managed to escape the ambush.

With Zygmunt III's assassination, the crown of the Mazovian Kingdom passed to his younger brother, Konrad, who was only 11 years old. He was crowned on March 11, 1126, as Konrad III. The fact that he was a posthumous child, born after Konrad II's death, could have led to internal strife in the kingdom. Zygmunt III's reign can be considered average, much like the monarch himself. Only his participation in the First Crusade to the Holy Land is worth mentioning, though it did not result in territorial gains.

Mazovia year 1126​

 

[kakom]

Chapter 26 (1126-1130)

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The 11-year-old Konrad III ascended to the throne after the death of his brother, Zygmunt III, who was murdered by unknown assailants. Until Konrad could rule independently, the role of regent was to be held by Chancellor Bolesław of Grodno. The young ruler, like his father and brother, had a cleft lip. He was a greedy child, hoarding all the toys and treats for himself, yet he also exhibited an extraordinary level of bravery for someone so young. Being a child, unable to directly control the state, Konrad had to rely on his advisors. Bolesław was completely loyal to his mother Saga, as were the other courtiers in Poznań. The queen mother, Saga, held real power in Mazovia, and many suspected that her intrigue led to Zygmunt III's death.

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A month after Zygmunt III's death, a male heir was born to him, named Konrad by his mother. This posthumous son had weak claims to the Mazovian throne. Saga saw the boy as a threat to her son, but she did not attempt to remove him. His death would only arouse further suspicion among the vassals, who were already unfriendly toward the young ruler and his mother.

Ironically, the birth of Konrad sparked Duke Jan of Lusatia to renounce his loyalty and start a succession war. Just days after the posthumous child's birth, Jan gathered his forces and marched toward Poznań. Most of the nobles sided with him, believing Saga was behind Zygmunt III's assassination.

Jan I Zygmuntowicz, Duke of Lusatia and Bohemia, was a descendant of Zygmunt I the Cruel through his second son, Bolko, and thus claimed rights to the Mazovian crown. In his efforts to depose Konrad III, he was supported by the dukes of Brandenburg, Pomerania, Volhynia, Kamieniec, Mecklenburg, and the great mayors of Gdańsk Pomerania and Lübeck.

(The rebellious areas are pink)
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On the side of Konrad III stood the rulers of the Mazovian, Kujavian, Bełsk, Podlachian, Kyiv, and Silesian duchies. The Mazovian Succession War lasted from 1126 to 1130. Between 1127 and 1130, several battles were fought.

The forces of Konrad III, led by Marshal Stanisław of Tarnów, emerged victorious, mainly due to their numerical superiority. The army of over 13,000 easily crushed the rebel forces, who could not agree on a strategy for conducting military operations.

The fighting against the rebels continued until 1130, when Jan was captured in a battle near Lublin. The clash ended with the defeat of his troops and his capture. The Duke of Lusatia was imprisoned in the dungeons of Poznań Castle, where he spent the rest of his days. However, his defeat did not end Konrad III's problems. Jan's brother, Siemowit, fled the battlefield and found refuge with one of the Bohemian counts, who decided to help him fight against Konrad. Thus, the civil war continued, with only the pretender to the Mazovian crown changing.

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On September 1, 1130, Konrad III came of age, and upon turning 16, he took full control of the kingdom. He became an ambitious, cruel young man, and thanks to a well-rounded education, he was quite knowledgeable in military matters.

 

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Chapter 27 (1130 - 1142)

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Konrad III married Ida Urso, the daughter of the Bavarian king. This marriage was meant to secure a strong ally for Konrad in the ongoing internal conflict. Albert, the Bavarian ruler, was called upon by Konrad for assistance, and after crossing the border, he supported his son-in-law’s forces in battles against the rebels. From this marriage, a daughter named Samboja Zygmuntowicz was born.

Jacek Przemyślid, a Czech count, decided to take advantage of the chaos in the Mazovian state. He helped Siemowit escape from Konrad’s forces and sheltered Jan Zygmuntowicz’s brother at his court. Jacek then supported Siemowit’s claim to the Mazovian throne, prolonging the succession war that Jan Zygmuntowicz had started.

The Mazovian succession war continued. Jan was still imprisoned in Poznań, but his brother Siemowit had gained the backing of several of Konrad’s vassals. Siemowit’s claims were supported by the princes of Kyiv, Podlachia, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Kamieniec, Volhynia, and Podolia. On Konrad’s side were the great mayors of Lübeck and Gdańsk Pomerania, along with the dukes of Silesia, Mazovia, Kujawy, and Bełsk.

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The Battle of Zgorzelec contributed to the development of Konrad’s military and leadership skills. This victorious battle for the young monarch taught him how to conduct military operations in difficult terrain. This experience made Konrad focus more on the intelligence aspect of warfare, sending scouts to inform him about enemy movements.

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Unfortunately, Konrad was wounded in the final phase of this battle. His opponents' forces were retreating, and to demonstrate leadership, Konrad charged the enemy with his guard. At that moment, he was struck by an arrow under his groin. The wound healed over a few months but caused him pain during weather changes.

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The pagan neighbors of Mazovia, the Lithuanians and the Ruthenians, took advantage of the succession wars. They attacked the rebellious princes of Kyiv, Podlachia, and Volhynia. Konrad III was too preoccupied with his internal enemies to repel these invasions, resulting in Mazovia losing some of its eastern territories, gained during the reigns of Konrad’s grandfather and great-grandfather. The civil war finally ended in the autumn of 1137, when the forces of the rebellious nobles were decisively defeated in the Battle of Kraków. Jacek Przemyślid and Siemowit Zygmuntowicz were captured. Jacek was executed, while Siemowit joined his brother in the dungeon, where both died during the tortures inflicted by Konrad III.

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On March 14, 1138, Konrad’s first wife, Ida, died after contracting pneumonia a few weeks earlier.

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The marriage did not produce a male heir, so Konrad had to find a new wife to ensure the continuation of the dynasty. Eager to secure a male heir, Konrad married as soon as the mourning period ended. He wed Henryka, the daughter of the Lombard king. Konrad’s new wife was an exceptionally cunning and intelligent woman, well-versed in courtly intrigues, conspiracies, and various plots.

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Konrad decided to undertake a pilgrimage in gratitude for his victory over the rebels. Since Jerusalem had become a Christian-ruled city, he chose to travel there to thank God for his success. During his absence, Henryka was to govern in his name. On his journey across Europe toward the port of Venice, Konrad was plagued by bad weather. Constant rain worsened his health, but believing that it was one of the trials testing his faith, he continued traveling despite the fever and cold he had contracted.

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After two months, when the weather finally improved and Konrad was aboard a ship bound for the Holy Land, he saw a bright star in the sky every night, which he believed was guiding him to Jerusalem. He took this as a favorable sign from the Almighty.

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Once in the Holy Land, traveling from the port city of Acre toward Jerusalem, Konrad journeyed with a group of knights from the Templar Order. Every night over dinner, they discussed their experiences in battle, and the Mazovian monarch learned much about the art of war from his companions.

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Konrad entered the walls of Jerusalem in the summer of 1140. The holy city was an extraordinary place. He met Christians from various parts of the world, including black Nubians, Orthodox Greeks, and Copts. Konrad was deeply moved by the place, feeling the palpable presence of Christ, who had died for the sins of mankind.

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On August 12, Konrad fell seriously ill again, but this time the fever would not break. Over the next few months, he lay bedridden in his chambers, ravaged by illness. No court physician could cure him, nor could the foreign doctors who were summoned. Masses and prayers held in churches for the monarch’s health brought no improvement.

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Konrad III passed away on October 22, 1142. His nephew, Konrad IV, the son of Zygmunt III, who like Konrad III was a posthumous child, inherited the throne. The reign of Konrad III was marked by internal struggles between the main line of the Zygmuntowicz dynasty and a cadet branch for the Mazovian throne. With the death of Konrad III, Prendota III Zygmuntowicz, Duke of Lusatia, would likely seek to claim the crown of the kingdom.

Mazovia at the time of Konrad III’s death 1142​

Bawaria - Kingdom of Bavaria
Państwo Wielkomorawskie - Great Moravia
Ruś Kijowska - Kievan Rus
Wielkie Księstwo Litewskie - Grand Duchy of Lithuania
1 - Bulgarian Empire
2 - Crimean Kingdom
3 - Duchy of Thuringia
4 - Duchy of Saxony

 

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Chapter 28 (1142 - 1150 )

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Konrad IV, the son of Zygmunt III, was born posthumously. He inherited the throne after his uncle, Konrad III, fell ill and died without a male heir. Konrad IV was only 16 years old when the royal crown was placed on his head. Raised and educated by his uncle from a young age, he was trained in military strategy and leadership. Konrad was known to be ambitious and patient, easily forming relationships with others. He was generous to those loyal to him, while also demonstrating cunning in his dealings with them.

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Despite having numerous marriage proposals from across Europe, Konrad chose the most exotic of them, agreeing to marry Kristina Smith, the daughter of the king of the Nubian Kingdom. The dark-skinned beauty arrived in Poznań on June 20, 1143. Kristina turned out to be highly educated, particularly in mathematics.

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The Nubian Kingdom, ruled by Kristina's father, Khael II the Just, had become a regional power in recent decades. The Nubian rulers successfully destroyed the Abyssinian Sultanate, and in its place, the Christian Kingdom of Mailek Bahr, ruled by a cadet branch of the Smith family, now existed.

Nubia 1143 AD

Meanwhile, Prendota III, Duke of Lusatia, staked his claim to the Mazovian throne, sparking the third succession war in Mazovia within the past twenty years. The cadet branch of the Zygmuntowicz family continued to cause problems. Prendota was a cousin of Jan, who had inherited the Duchy of Lusatia after Jan's death. Prendota’s claims were supported by several of Konrad’s vassals, those not currently imprisoned in Poznań. This war lasted from 1143 to 1148 and saw several battles, though none were decisive.

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The confrontation that ultimately led to Prendota’s downfall was the Battle near the village of Pretzsh. On the morning of November 12, 1148, the royal army clashed with the rebel forces, each side fielding about 10,000 men. The rebels were decisively defeated. Prendota was betrayed by his former supporters, who sought to save their own lives. He met the fate of a traitor, being beheaded on Konrad’s orders, while his son was secretly murdered.

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As a result of this battle, Konrad IV improved his leadership skills and gained valuable military experience, which was essential for his future plans to wage wars against the pagan neighbors to the east.

On July 19, 1148, Konrad’s firstborn son was born and named after his father. The young Zygmunt was now the heir to the Mazovian kingdom and the sole claimant to the throne, following Konrad’s execution of Prendota and the murder of his son. On December 29, 1149, Konrad's second son, Jerzy, was born.

 

[kakom]

Chapter 29 (1150 - 1160)

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On April 15, 1151, Pope Sylvester IV called upon all righteous Christians to join a crusade against the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula. The Jattabid Sultanate posed a significant threat to the Christian states in the region, and only a military intervention could halt the advance of the Moors. Konrad IV expressed no interest in participating in this endeavor, as he was preparing for a war against his pagan neighbors. He did not want to waste resources on a war that would likely bring him no direct benefit.

While the Iberian Crusade was launching from Rome, Konrad IV's forces crossed the border into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He invaded his pagan neighbors to the north, aiming to annex Prussian lands into the Mazovian state. The timing of the attack was perfect, as Lithuania, which had recently controlled the entire Livonian region, had lost it due to a civil war. The independent Livonian Kingdom now existed in its place.

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Konrad IV, commanding an army of 21,000, entered Prussia confident of victory. He had the advantage of numbers, and the timing was favorable. As expected, his army quickly defeated the Lithuanian forces sent to stop him. After their defeat, he began capturing the strongholds in Prussia.

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By August 16, 1145, the last of these fortresses had fallen into Mazovian hands. Grand Duke Erdenis I of Lithuania offered a peace settlement, in which the entire Prussian territory would be ceded to Konrad. Konrad accepted the offer, as Prussia had been his primary objective all along. This war, victorious for Konrad, was an act of revenge for the Lithuanian raids during Mazovia's internal strife.

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A year after the Lithuanian campaign, news reached Poznań of the successful conclusion of the crusade. The Iberian Peninsula had been freed from the growing Muslim threat. These territories were reclaimed for the glory of the cross by the Knights Hospitaller, who established themselves in southern Spain. The order now controlled both the Holy Land and a large area in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

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On March 19, 1147, Nawoja, the daughter of Konrad and Kristina, was born. She was their third and last child, as they would not have any more offspring.

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In June of the same year, Konrad arranged the marriage of his cousin Samboja. She was married off to Lutbert, the Duke of Burgundy, who was the heir to the throne of that kingdom.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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]

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.

 

[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​

 

[kakom]

Geopolitical situation of the known world, 1200.​

​

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

​

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

​

1 - Roman Catholicism
2 - Orthodoxy
3 - Islam

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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