Sojusz z Danią w pomorskich planach Bolesława Krzywoustego

Abstract

Bolesław III Krzywousty (Wrymouth’s) actions aimed at subjugating West Pomerania were being countered by similar responses from other influential players, especially the Holy Roman Empire and Denmark. The convergence of interests led to direct confrontations and temporary alliances. One of the latter was the Polish-Danish alignment ca. 1128. The Polish Duke and Danish King Niels united against their enemies, the West Pomeranian Duke Wartislaw and the “king” of the Obodrites, Knut (Canute) Lavard. The most significant sign of the alliance was the marriage between Niels’ son Magnus and Bolesław’s daughter Richeza. The joint Polish-Danish campaign on Uznam and Wolin, which was launched a year later, was a display of this cooperation. Mutual distrust, the threat of the imperial intervention in Denmark, and the prompt deaths of Niels and Magnus in their struggle for power caused the alliance to dissolve quickly. In his future attempts at seizing control of West Pomerania, Bolesław III Krzywousty (Wrymouth) had to find a different ally.