Konrad I of Masovia
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Konrad I of Masovia (Polish: ; 1187? – 1247), son of Casimir II and Helen of Moravia, was the 6th Duke of Masovia.
After his father's death in 1194, Konrad was brought up by his mother. In 1202 he received Masovia and Kuyavia. The Russian princess Agafia became his wife. His maternal grandmother (the princess-consort of Moravia, Znaim) was one Maria of Serbia, apparently a daughter of pre-Nemanjic Zhupan dynasty.
Attempted conquests of Prussia
Konrad unsuccessfully attempted to conquer pagan Prussia in 1209 and several times after[[Citing sources citation needed]]. On advise of bishop Christian of Prussia, in 1220 he founded the Order of Dobrin (Order of Dobrzyń) and was again defeated. Ongoing attempts on Prussia were answered by incursions across the borders of his lands, while Prussians were in the process of regaining parts of Prussian Culmerland taken over by earlier Polish and Masovian raids. Konrad now wanted to stabilize the north of the duchy of Masovia in this fought over border area of Prussian Culmerland. Masovia had only been conquered in the XI century and native Prussians, Jatvigians and Lithuanians were still living in the territory, where no settled borders existed.
The Teutonic Order
Thus in 1226, Konrad having difficulty holding on to land conquered, invited the religious military order of Teutonic Knights to fight the Prussians, as they already had supported Hungary from 1211 to 1225. When trying to gain more independency, the Order was expelled by the Hungarian king though. Thus, in turn for its service, the Order wanted to have its rights documented beforehand, by a deal with Konrad that was to be confirmed by the Emperor and the Pope.Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II issued in March of 1226 the Golden Bull of Rimini, stating [link] that:
- "brother Konrad had offered and promised to furnish brother Herrmann, Honorable Master of the Holy Hospital of St. Mary of the Germans in Jerusalem (Teutonic Order).. with the Kulmer Land between his march and the Prussians and equip them (T.O.) well, so they may take Preussenland (Terra Prussiae) in possession... we recognize the fact, that this land is included in the realm of the empire, we trust the judgement of the Master... we recognize all land in Prussia as an ancient right of the empire ...".
This imperial authorisation was signed by a large number of archbishops and heads of different states[[Citing sources citation needed]].
In 1230, the Treaty of Kruschwitz was supposedly signed, according to which Konrad granted Chełmno Land to them, and to the Order of Dobrzyń. This document does not exist anymore, and some sources[#endnote_Boockmann-97] [#endnote_Martin-24] say that the Order has forged it.
In 1234, the pope issued the Golden Bull of Rieti, confirming the prior deals, stating that the land of the Order was only subject to the Pope, not a fief of anybody[[Citing sources citation needed]].
Konrad's legacy
Konrad actions began the process whereby the Teutonic Knights came to control much of the Baltic coastline through their monastic state, that had ultimately dire consequences for Polish state.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Boockmann, p. 97
- ↑ Bernd Martin, p. 24
References
- [Altes Preussenland before 1200]
- () Hartmut Boockmann, "Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas. Ostpreußen und Westpreußen", Berlin 1992
- () Bernd Martin, "Masuren, Mythos und Geschichte", Ewangelische Akademie Baden, Karlsruhe 1998
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