Mieszko the Younger
Encyclopedia
Mieszko the Younger (ca. 1160/65 – 2 August 1193) was a Duke
of Kalisz
since 1191 until his death.
He was the second child (but fourth-born son) of Mieszko III the Old
, Duke of Greater Poland
and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, by his second wife Eudoxia
, daughter of Grand Prince Iziaslav II of Kiev
.
at the congress in Jędrzejów
as one of the sons of the Duke of Greater Poland.
Between 1177 and 1179, as a result of the revolt against his father, Mieszko, with his parents and siblings, were exiled from Poland. They probably returned to the country in 1181, when Mieszko III regainec the rule over Greater Poland.
In 1184 and thanks to the wise diplomatic affairs of his father, Mieszko the Younger was appointed by the sickly Duke Leszek
Governor of the Masovian-Kuyavia
n principality, and with this, apparently the right of succession after his death. However, the arbitrary and cruel government of Mieszko III, caused that Leszek reasumed his alliance with Casimir II the Just, who was appointed his sole heir. In 1185 Mieszko was then deposed and returned to his father's court.
In 1191 Mieszko III could conquer the capital Kraków
, but, for unknown reasons he decided that one of his sons (either Mieszko or Bolesław of Kuyavia) exercise the power on his behalf as Governor. Unfortunately, Casimir II soon regained the control of the district, and the Prince-Governor was exiled. At this point, Mieszko III decided to give the district of Kalisz
to his youngest son and namesake, as his own Duchy.
Mieszko the Younger died on 2 August 1193. He was buried in the crypt founded by his father in the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in Kalisz
. Tombstones of Mieszko the Younger and Mieszko III were found during archaeological excavations during 1958-1960.
For unknown reasons, Mieszko never married or had children. On his death, Mieszko III give Kalisz to his eldest son Odon.
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
since 1191 until his death.
He was the second child (but fourth-born son) of 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....
, 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...
and since 1173 High Duke of Poland, by his second wife Eudoxia
Eudoxia of Kiev
Eudoxia Iziaslavna of Kiev , was a Kievan Rus' princess member of the Rurikid dynasty and by marriage Duchess of Greater Poland and since 1173 High Duchess of Poland....
, daughter of Grand Prince Iziaslav II of Kiev
Iziaslav II of Kiev
Iziaslav II Mstislavich , Prince of Pereyaslav , Prince of Turov , Prince of Rostov , Prince of Vladimir and Volyn , Pereyaslavl , Velikiy Kniaz of Kiev , was the oldest son of Mstislav Vladimirovich, Kniaz' , and...
.
Life
Mieszko appeared for the first time in 1167 in a document signed between Mieszko III and 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...
at the congress in Jędrzejów
Jedrzejów
Jędrzejów is a town in Poland, located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, about 35 km southwest of Kielce. It is the capital of Jędrzejów County. It has 18,069 inhabitants ....
as one of the sons of the Duke of Greater Poland.
Between 1177 and 1179, as a result of the revolt against his father, Mieszko, with his parents and siblings, were exiled from Poland. They probably returned to the country in 1181, when Mieszko III regainec the rule over Greater Poland.
In 1184 and thanks to the wise diplomatic affairs of his father, Mieszko the Younger was appointed by the sickly Duke Leszek
Leszek, Duke of Masovia
Leszek of Masovia was the second Duke of Masovia and Kuyavia from 1173 until his death.He was the second but only surviving son of Bolesław IV the Curly, High Duke of Poland by his first wife Viacheslava, daughter of St. Vsevolod, Prince of Novgorod and Pskov...
Governor of the Masovian-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...
n principality, and with this, apparently the right of succession after his death. However, the arbitrary and cruel government of Mieszko III, caused that Leszek reasumed his alliance with Casimir II the Just, who was appointed his sole heir. In 1185 Mieszko was then deposed and returned to his father's court.
In 1191 Mieszko III could conquer the capital 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...
, but, for unknown reasons he decided that one of his sons (either Mieszko or Bolesław of Kuyavia) exercise the power on his behalf as Governor. Unfortunately, Casimir II soon regained the control of the district, and the Prince-Governor was exiled. At this point, Mieszko III decided to give the district of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
to his youngest son and namesake, as his own Duchy.
Mieszko the Younger died on 2 August 1193. He was buried in the crypt founded by his father in the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
. Tombstones of Mieszko the Younger and Mieszko III were found during archaeological excavations during 1958-1960.
For unknown reasons, Mieszko never married or had children. On his death, Mieszko III give Kalisz to his eldest son Odon.