Leszek the Black
| Leszek II the Black | |
|---|---|
19th century portrait by Jan Matejko.
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| High Duke of Poland | |
| Reign | 1279–1288 |
| Predecessor | Bolesław V the Chaste |
| Successor | Henryk IV Probus |
| Duke of Sieradz | |
| Reign | 1261–1288 |
| Predecessor | Casimir I of Kuyavia |
| Successor | Władysław I the Elbow-high |
| Duke of Inowrocław | |
| Reign | 1273–1278 |
| Predecessor | Bolesław the Pious |
| Successor | Ziemomysł |
| Born | c. 1241 Brześć Kujawski |
| Died | 30 September 1288 Kraków |
| Burial | Dominican Church of the Holy Trinity, Kraków |
| Spouse | Gryfina of Halych |
| House | House of Piast |
| Father | Casimir I of Kuyavia |
| Mother | Constance of Wrocław |
Leszek II the Black (Polish: Leszek Czarny; c. 1241 – 30 September 1288), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast, Duke of Sieradz since 1261, Duke of Łęczyca since 1267, Duke of Inowrocław during 1273-1278, Duke of Sandomierz and High Duke of Poland since 1279.
Leszek II was the eldest son of Duke Casimir I of Kuyavia and his second wife Constance, daughter of Henry II the Pious from the Silesian branch of the Piast dynasty. His nickname, Black (Latin: Niger) appears for the first time in the 14th century Kronika Dzierzwy, and was probably given to him for his dark hair.
In 1257 his mother died, and shortly after his father married for the third time with Euphrosyne, daughter of Casimir I of Opole. Leszek's stepmother soon caused conflicts in the family with her attempts to obtain territorial benefits for her own children (the eldest of them was the future Polish king Władysław I the Elbow-high) in detriment of Leszek and his young full-brother Ziemomysł; some chronicles even accused Euphrosyne of attempting to poisoning both princes, however this wasn't proved.
Leszek II and Ziemomysł rebelled against their father and stepmother in 1261 (although the participation of Ziemomysł is debated in historiography). The revolt initially failed because the local nobility, dissatisfied with their adventurous policy, retired their support; however, thanks to the help of the coalition formed with Bolesław V the Chaste, Siemowit I of Masovia and Bolesław the Pious, Leszek II eventually forced his father to give him the district of Sieradz as a separate Duchy.
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Wikipedia