| dc.description.abstract | The article analyzes consecutive diplomatic and military steps undertaken by Casimir the
Great towards Silesia. It analyzes the attitude towards the dukes of Opole, who did not occupy
any particular place in that policy, against the background of the whole Silesian policy of the
king.
A few stages can be distinguished in the king’s policy towards Silesia. Initially, the priority
of his restitution programme was to restore supremacy over Gdansk Pomerania. Because
of that, he tried to obtain a favourable disposition of the Luxembourgs. Thus, he either did
not engage into the matters of Silesia or, as the ally of Luxembourgs, acted from the position
of power towards the dukes (1343). In this situation, prolonging the conflict with Teutonic
Knights seems to have been a mistake, as it cost Casimir his influences in Silesia which were
dating back to the times of Wladyslaw the Elbow-high. It also did not bring him any major successes
in the settlements with Luxembourgs which was clearly shown by the war with dukes
of Glogau that took place in 1343. During the war Casimir restored supremacy over Wschowa
for the price of evident deterioration of his relationships with the Luxembourgs. There are no
traces that would suggest that at that time he kept in contact with the dukes, either old allays
of his father (for example, Wladyslaw of Bytom) or his relative Bolek II the Small of Świdnica.
All the more, he did not show any interest in the matters of the Duchy of Opole.
The dukes of Silesia could start perceiving king Casimir as their ally against the Bohemian
expansion in 1345. In the war with the Luxembourgs, the king did not attack the dukes of
Silesia, except for those of Glogau. He established contacts with some of the dukes. Known
is the agreement between Wladyslaw of Bytom and Casimir the Great that was made on 15th
February 1346 in Bytom. The duke promised that he would not allow John of Bohemia and
his sons or Nicholas, Duke of Opava to enter his city until permanent peace was established.
Wladyslaw’s act can be evaluated as an attempt of peace mediation that did not transform
into a longer cooperation with the king of Poland.
The conclusion of a treaty in 1348 meant returning to the previous direction – consequent
alliance with Charles IV. Casismir tried to use it again against the Teutonic Order and
Brandenburg, however to no effect. His engagement into the matters at Russia also contributed
to his passivity towards Silesia.
The last phase took place in the 1360s, starting from 1364 when Casimir tried to resituate
former treaties based on papacy. The Polish policy towards Silesia had been already changed
by the marriage with Hedwig of Sagan, although its main reason was the king’s desire for
a descendant and successor. Successes in Hungary also contributed to that change. Angevins
managed to keep and expand influences in Silesia, especially among the dukes of Bytom and
Opole. Apart from that, Casimir the Great was influenced by the example of the success of
Charles IV who, thanks to marriage with Anna, not only obtained a favourable disposition of
his former enemy, Bolko of Świdnica, but also the whole kingdom (although only after the
death of the widow). Since the marriage with Hedwig, which did not bring Casimir such spectacular
benefits, dukes of Silesia began to appear around the king. It seems that he realized
too late that strengthening bonds with the dukes of Silesia and as a result undermining the
influences of Luxembourgs was the only way to recover Silesia. | en |
