Władysław the White

Władysław (Włodko) the White or Władysław of Gniewkowo (Polish: Władysław (Włodko) Biały (Gniewkowski); ca. 1327/1333 – 29 February 1388), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast, Duke of Gniewkowo during 1347/1350–1363/1364 (his final and official resignation was in 1377) and last male representative of the Kujavian line.

He was the only surviving son of Kazimierz III of Gniewkowo by his unknown wife.

After his father's death, which occurred between 1347 and 1350, Władysław succeeded him as the last independent ruler of Gniewkowo, having recognized the overlordship of King Casimir III of Poland. Currently eight documents exist issued by Władysław during his reign as Duke of Gniewkowo; they show the full Latin version of his title: Wladislaus dei gracia dux Cuyavie et dominus Gnewkovie nec non Slonensis terrarum. Thus it is known that Władysław styled himself as Duke of Kujawy and ruled over Gniewkowo and Słońsko.

The Ducal court of Gniewkowo had its own administrative apparatus, and the Ducal palace was built in the model of Wawel Castle.

Around 1 December 1359 Władysław married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Duke Albert of Strzelce, and a few months later, in March 1360, King Casimir III returned to him the ancestral district of Inowrocław, although only as a lifetime fief.

His wife Elisabeth died unexpectedly ca. 17 April 1361; Władysław, who deeply loved her, was grief-stricken and decided never to marry again.

Some time between 13 February 1362 and 1 March 1363, the Polish king forced him to return the fief of Inowrocław.

Between 29 May 1363 and 5 April 1364, Władysław decided to sell his domains to King Casimir III for 1,000 florins.

After leaving his Duchy, Władysław began a long pilgrimage. He visited Malbork (where he met the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Winrich von Kniprode, and joined his expedition to Lithuania), Prague, the Holy Land, and Avignon, where he met Pope Urban V. In June 1366 he entered the Cistercian Cîteaux Abbey; however, after only one year, he moved to the Benedictine monastery at Dijon.

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