Mieszko of Bytom
Encyclopedia
Mieszko of Bytom was a Duke of Siewierz
during 1312-1328 (from 1315 only formally), Bishop of Nitra
during 1328-1334 and Bishop of Veszprém
since 1334 until his death.
He was the fifth and youngest son of Duke Casimir of Bytom
by his wife Helena.
, but he continued his church career and in 1313 he joined to the Knights Hospitaller
.
Two years later (in 1315) Mieszko, together with his older brother Bolesław
traveled to Hungary
, at the request of their sister Queen Maria
and soon after his arrive, Mieszko was appointed Hungarian Prior of the Knights Hospitaller; however, three years later, in 1318, he resigned from that dignity at the express command of the Pope. After his resignation as a Prior, Mieszko remains as a faithful supporter of his brother Bolesław, who in return rewarded his fidely in 1328, when he obtained for Mieszko the dignity of Bishop of Nitra
. This happened despite the opposition of the local Chapter
, who was complete against the nepotism
; however, the full support showned to the Piast princes by the King Charles I Robert
and his new wife Queen Elizabeth
(Queen Maria died in 1317) ended this dispute with a complete success to Mieszko, who, in order to assumed the rule over the Bishopric, finally decided to resign his Duchy of Siewierz on behalf of his brother Władysław
.
The government of Mieszko over Nitra wasn't easy. Despite all the problems, he was complete involved in activities who raised the importance of his episcopal city, and decided to start his rule with huge impetus, built a new cathedral (who was completed after his death in 1355).
In 1334, and after years of continuous conflict with the Chapter, Mieszko was named Bishop of Veszprém
(this time with the consent of the Pope and the local nobility). During this time, he also held the position of chancellor of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary (who certainly was involved in the election of Mieszko as Bishop), who bought him important benefits (Mieszko received from Federal Chancellery the amount of 500 fines per year by orders of Queen Elisabeth).
During the last years of his life, Mieszko continue with his close cooperation with the Hungarian House of Anjou
. In 1342 he participated in the coronation of the new King Louis, which also remained in close contact.
Mieszko died in 1344 and was buried in the cathedral of Veszprém.
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
during 1312-1328 (from 1315 only formally), Bishop of Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
during 1328-1334 and Bishop of Veszprém
Veszprém
Veszprém is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county of the same name.-Location:...
since 1334 until his death.
He was the fifth and youngest son of Duke Casimir of Bytom
Casimir of Bytom
Casimir of Bytom was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death....
by his wife Helena.
Life
As the youngest son, Mieszko was destined to the cleric since his early childhood. Nevertheless, during after his father's death in 1312 he received the town of SiewierzSiewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
, but he continued his church career and in 1313 he joined to the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
.
Two years later (in 1315) Mieszko, together with his older brother Bolesław
Bolesław of Toszek
Bolesław of Toszek , was a Duke of Toszek since 1303 until his death and Archbishop of Esztergom from 1321.He was the oldest son of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena.- Life :...
traveled to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, at the request of their sister Queen Maria
Maria of Bytom
Maria of Bytom also known as Queen Maria of Hungary , Rumania, 15 December 1315), was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Bytom branch and by marriage Queen of Hungary....
and soon after his arrive, Mieszko was appointed Hungarian Prior of the Knights Hospitaller; however, three years later, in 1318, he resigned from that dignity at the express command of the Pope. After his resignation as a Prior, Mieszko remains as a faithful supporter of his brother Bolesław, who in return rewarded his fidely in 1328, when he obtained for Mieszko the dignity of Bishop of Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
. This happened despite the opposition of the local Chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
, who was complete against the nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
; however, the full support showned to the Piast princes by the King Charles I Robert
Charles I of Hungary
Charles I , also known as Charles Robert , was the first King of Hungary and Croatia of the House of Anjou. He was also descended from the old Hungarian Árpád dynasty. His claim to the throne of Hungary was contested by several pretenders...
and his new wife Queen Elizabeth
Elisabeth of Poland
Elisabeth of Poland was Queen consort of Hungary and regent of Poland. She is also known as Elisabeth of Kujavia and Elisabeth Piast.-Early life:...
(Queen Maria died in 1317) ended this dispute with a complete success to Mieszko, who, in order to assumed the rule over the Bishopric, finally decided to resign his Duchy of Siewierz on behalf of his brother Władysław
Władysław of Bytom
Władysław of Bytom , was a Duke of Koźle during 1303-1334, Duke of Bytom from 1316, Duke of Toszek since 1329 and Duke of Siewierz during 1328-1337.He was the second son of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena.-Life:...
.
The government of Mieszko over Nitra wasn't easy. Despite all the problems, he was complete involved in activities who raised the importance of his episcopal city, and decided to start his rule with huge impetus, built a new cathedral (who was completed after his death in 1355).
In 1334, and after years of continuous conflict with the Chapter, Mieszko was named Bishop of Veszprém
Veszprém
Veszprém is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county of the same name.-Location:...
(this time with the consent of the Pope and the local nobility). During this time, he also held the position of chancellor of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary (who certainly was involved in the election of Mieszko as Bishop), who bought him important benefits (Mieszko received from Federal Chancellery the amount of 500 fines per year by orders of Queen Elisabeth).
During the last years of his life, Mieszko continue with his close cooperation with the Hungarian House of Anjou
Capetian House of Anjou
The Capetian House of Anjou, also known as the House of Anjou-Sicily and House of Anjou-Naples, was a royal house and cadet branch of the direct House of Capet. Founded by Charles I of Sicily, a son of Louis VIII of France, the Capetian king first ruled the Kingdom of Sicily during the 13th century...
. In 1342 he participated in the coronation of the new King Louis, which also remained in close contact.
Mieszko died in 1344 and was buried in the cathedral of Veszprém.