Helen of Znojmo
Encyclopedia
Helena of Znojmo was a Bohemian princess, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty
. She was the daughter of Duke Conrad II of Znojmo and his Serbian wife Maria of Rascia (daughter of Uroš I
). Helena was probably named after her maternal aunt, Queen Helena of Hungary
, wife of King Béla II
.
Born as Duchess of Znojmo Appanage (named after its centre, the town Znojmo
) in southern Moravia
, later became thanks to marriage Duchess of Masovia
(1186–1194) and Duchess-regent of Cracow
(Kraków), Sandomierz
and Masovia on behalf of her minor son during 1194–1199/1200.
, youngest son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, probably shortly after his return from captivity.
When on Helen's husband died, presumably as a result of heart attack, he left her with their two minor sons on whose behalf she took regency of Lesser Poland
and Masovia with blessings from Bishop of Kraków Fulko and Kraków Voivode.
Helen's regency was not an easy one, because other princes threatened the minors., their own uncle Mieszko III the Old
was after Kraków
. Bloody stocks, which were the culminating moment of the Battle of Mozgawa between Helen and Mieszko, it lasted until 1198 when they reached an agreement with Duke of Greater Poland
. Mieszko would take Kraków, in return for which he gave Helen and her sons Kuyavia
. Independent authority over the inheritance was taken on by Leszek the White who took over in 1199 or 1200. The great political and intelligent Helen testied words written in the chronicle of Vincent Kadlubek, who certainly knew the princess in person. According to him Helen was "a woman with greater wisdom than usually women have".
Helen of Znojmo died between 1202 and 1206, probably on April 2.
Premyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
. She was the daughter of Duke Conrad II of Znojmo and his Serbian wife Maria of Rascia (daughter of Uroš I
Uroš I of Rascia
Uroš I Vukanović was the Grand Prince of the Grand Principality of Serbia from ca 1112 to 1145.-Origin:Uroš I was the son of Marko, the brother of Grand Prince Vukan, who had swore an oath of loyalty to Constantine Bodin, the Grand Prince of Duklja, becoming his vassals...
). Helena was probably named after her maternal aunt, Queen Helena of Hungary
Helena of Raška
Helena of Serbia was Queen consort of Hungary through her marriage with Béla II, who ruled 1131–1141.-Life:Helena was the daughter of Duke Uroš I of Rascia and his wife, Anna Diogene-Vukanović...
, wife of King Béla II
Béla II of Hungary
Béla II the Blind , King of Hungary and Croatia . Still as a child, Béla was blinded by his uncle, King Coloman who wanted to ensure the succession of his own son, the future King Stephen II...
.
Born as Duchess of Znojmo Appanage (named after its centre, the town Znojmo
Znojmo
Znojmo is a city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, near the border with Lower Austria, connected to Vienna by railway and road . The royal city of Znojmo was founded shortly before 1226 by King Ottokar I on the plains in front of Znojmo Castle...
) in southern Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, later became thanks to marriage Duchess of Masovia
Duchy of Masovia
The Duchy of Masovia with its capital at Płock was a medieval duchy formed when the Polish Kingdom of the Piasts fragmented in 1138. It was located in the historic Masovian region of northeastern Poland...
(1186–1194) and Duchess-regent of Cracow
Seniorate Province
Seniorate Province, also known as the Senioral Province , Duchy of Kraków , Duchy of Cracow, Principality of Cracow, Principality of Kraków, was the superior among the five provinces established in 1138 according to the Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty...
(Kraków), Sandomierz
Sandomierz
Sandomierz is a city in south-eastern Poland with 25,714 inhabitants . Situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship , previously in Tarnobrzeg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Sandomierz County . Sandomierz is known for its Old Town, a major tourist attraction...
and Masovia on behalf of her minor son during 1194–1199/1200.
Life
Helen married the Casimir II the JustCasimir II the Just
Casimir II the Just was a Lesser Polish duke at Wiślica during 1166–1173, and at Sandomierz since 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby High Duke of Poland in 1177; a position he held until his death, interrupted once by his elder brother and predecessor...
, youngest son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, probably shortly after his return from captivity.
When on Helen's husband died, presumably as a result of heart attack, he left her with their two minor sons on whose behalf she took regency of Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
and Masovia with blessings from Bishop of Kraków Fulko and Kraków Voivode.
Helen's regency was not an easy one, because other princes threatened the minors., their own uncle Mieszko III the Old
Mieszko III the Old
Mieszko III the Old , of the royal Piast dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death....
was after Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. Bloody stocks, which were the culminating moment of the Battle of Mozgawa between Helen and Mieszko, it lasted until 1198 when they reached an agreement with Duke of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
. Mieszko would take Kraków, in return for which he gave Helen and her sons Kuyavia
Kuyavia
Kujawy , is a historical and ethnographic region in the north-central Poland, situated in the basin of the middle Vistula and upper Noteć Rivers, with its capital in Włocławek.-Etymology:The origin of the name Kujawy was seen differently in history...
. Independent authority over the inheritance was taken on by Leszek the White who took over in 1199 or 1200. The great political and intelligent Helen testied words written in the chronicle of Vincent Kadlubek, who certainly knew the princess in person. According to him Helen was "a woman with greater wisdom than usually women have".
Helen of Znojmo died between 1202 and 1206, probably on April 2.
Children
Helen and Casimir had the following children:- Maria (1164–1194), married in November 1178 to Prince Vsevolod IV of KievVsevolod IV of KievVsevolod IV Svyatoslavich the Red was a Rus' prince . His baptismal name was Daniil...
- Casimir (ca. 1165? – 1 March 1167)
- Bolesław (ca. 1168/71 – 16 April 1182), he died as a result of an accident, when chopped down tree crushed him
- Odon, died in infancy
- Adelaide (ca. 1177/84 – 8 December 1211), foundress of the convent of St. Jakob in SandomierzSandomierzSandomierz is a city in south-eastern Poland with 25,714 inhabitants . Situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship , previously in Tarnobrzeg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Sandomierz County . Sandomierz is known for its Old Town, a major tourist attraction...
- Leszek the White (ca. 1186/87 – Marcinkow, 23 November 1227)
- KonradKonrad I of MasoviaKonrad I of Masovia , from the Polish Piast dynasty, was the sixth Duke of Masovia from 1194 until his death and High Duke of Poland from 1229 to 1232.-Life:...
(ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247)