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Campaigns of Yaroslav the Wise against Mazovia and allied tribes – a series of military actions of the Kyiv prince, carried out under an alliance agreement with the Polish king Casimir I in the period from 1038 to 1047.

After the death of King Mieszko II of Poland in 1034, his son Casimir I was expelled from the country by the Polish nobility. The struggle between the local nobility and the peasants resulted in a peasant uprising in 1037-38, directed against the feudal lords and forced Christianization.

Map of Poland. In the upper part, Mazovia is highlighted in a lighter tone.
Map of Poland. In the upper part, Mazovia is highlighted in a lighter tone.

The territories of the pagan Pomerania were separated from Poland, as well as Mazovia, the independence of which was proclaimed by the local prince Maslav (Mechislav, Metslav). He allied with Pomerania, as well as with the tribes of Lithuanians and Yotvingians, trying to resist Casimir I.

By joining forces with Yaroslav the Wise and enlisting the military support of the German Emperor Henry III, Casimir I was able to return eastern Pomerania and Mazovia under the control of Poland.

Territorial location of the tribes against which Yaroslav the Wise made campaigns as part of the assistance to Casimir I
Territorial location of the tribes against which Yaroslav the Wise made campaigns as part of the assistance to Casimir I

Reasons for campaigns

  • Opportunity to build relationships with the new ruler of Poland
  • Moislav began to create his own state in the north of Europe. He took control of some Lithuanian tribes, including the Yatvyags, who were previously tributaries of Russian sovereigns.
  • Mazovia arose from a pagan uprising in Poland, becoming a threat on the western border for the newly converted Kievan Rus

Background of the conflict and chronology of events

Death of Mieszko II and uprising in Poland

In 1034, the Polish king Mieszko II Lambert died, the local nobility and the clergy rebelled against his son Casimir I, forcing the heir to leave the country. As a result of oppression by the gentry, the discontent of the Polish peasantry grew, which eventually resulted in the uprising of 1038.

The central authorities practically ceased to exist, the country was divided into several territories ruled by self-proclaimed rulers. Mazovia, headed by Prince Moislav (in different sources – Meslav, Meclav, Mechislav, presumably a relative of Mieszko II, who was a cupbearer), as well as Pomorie, declared their independence.

Polish map showing the approximate borders of territories with different spheres of influence during the Polish crisis of 1038. In the upper part, the territories of Pomerania and Mazovia, which declared independence, are highlighted in white.
Polish map showing the approximate borders of territories with different spheres of influence during the Polish crisis of 1038. In the upper part, the territories of Pomerania and Mazovia, which declared independence, are highlighted in white.

Union of Casimir I and Yaroslav the Wise against Mazovia

"Casimir the Restorer returns to Poland" (artist V. Gerson)
“Casimir the Restorer returns to Poland”
(artist V. Gerson)

Casimir I returned to Poland, finding the states in great ruin. The Czech prince was stopped, at the cost of the loss of Silesia, but still were Pomerania and Mazovia, which declared themselves free. To restore influence in these territories, Casimir decided to enlist the support of Yaroslav the Wise – the Russian-Polish union was sealed by two dynastic marriages at once: in 1038/1039, Casimir married Yaroslav’s sister (or niece) Dobronega, and his sister, Hera, a little later , about 1043, married Izyaslav, son of Yaroslav the Wise.

As a sign of reconciliation with Kievan Rus, Casimir released all the Russian captives (about 800 people) captured by his grandfather Boleslav I during a campaign against Kyiv in 1018 and they had to return to Russia with their property and families.

Yaroslav, from that moment, begins systematic military campaigns against Mazovia (“on the Mazovians”) and the tribes allied to them:

  • In the winter of 1038/39 – Campaign against the Yotvingians: the Kievans won in an open battle, but could not capture the cities
  • 1040 – Campaign against Lithuania: successful, tribute taken from the tribes
  • 1041 – Boat trip to Mazovia: prisoners captured, valuable booty
  • 1044 – March on Lithuania: successful
  • 1047 – Campaign to Mazovshan – the murder of the Prince of Mazov Moislav and the conquest of Mazovia in favor of the Polish king Casimir I
Red arrows indicate the approximate directions of the military campaign of Yaroslav the Wise as part of the assistance to Casimir I
Red arrows indicate the approximate directions of the military campaign of Yaroslav the Wise as part of the assistance to Casimir I

According to other versions, the Prince of Mazov Moislav was not killed during the campaign of 1047, but was able to escape to his allies, the Prussians, who, blaming him for the failure of the confrontation with the Poles and Kievans, hanged Moislav.

According to the Polish chronicler Zdzisław Pietras, Casimir participated in the battle of 1041 near the village of Pobedziska (modern city in Poland). The participation of Yaroslav the Wise allowed Casimir I to return the eastern part of Pomerania under the control of Poland, defeating the troops of local princes in 1046 or 1048.

Russian chronicles on the conclusion of peace with Poland:

Tatishchev on the conclusion of peace:

Description of Campaigns in Tatishchev:

Jan Dlugosz:

Results and accomplishment

  • After the conclusion of a peace treaty with Poland in 1037/38, Casimir I released about 800 captives captured by his grandfather Boleslav I during his campaign against Kyiv together with Svyatopolk in 1018.
  • Prince of Mazov Moislav was killed, the territories came under the control of Poland
  • The Yatvingian tribes and Lithuania are obliged to pay tribute to Kievan Rus again
  • Slightly expanded the borders of Kievan Rus in the western direction
  • East Pomerania returned by Casimir I to Polish control

The victory of Prince Yaroslav in Mazovia and the Polish prince Casimir in Pomerania and Silesia united Poland and expanded the borders of Russia to the west (slightly west of Berestye). At the same time, in the political aspect, significantly increased the role and importance of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, the head of the largest European state at that time.

Section “Yaroslav the Wise”

Список литературы

  1. rus-istoria.ru
  2. История Российская, кн.2, гл.8, В. Н. Татищев
  3. История Российская, кн.2, гл.8, В. Н. Татищев
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Опубликовано: 04.10.2022
Изменено: 04.10.2022