Was it possible to buy the crown? For how much? How was Kazimierz the Great's relationship really with his mother, and with his wife? If you are wondering how much truth the glass screen shows when watching "The Crown of Kings", be sure to read on.
As always, all positions in the TOP 10 ranking are based on the articles we publish. More information about the times and events that the TVP series tells about can be found HERE .
When you sit down in front of the TV to watch "The Crown of Kings", you should know that:
10. Łokietek was not lucky with his allies
Łokietek breaks the deal with the Teutonic Knights in Brześć Kujawski by Jan Matejko
Władysław Łokietek needed a strong ally in order to save himself from the attempts of the Luxembourg dynasty on the Polish throne and the threat posed by the Teutonic Knights. He found it in the person of the ruler of Lithuania - Gediminas. The pact sealed the wedding of Aldona, daughter of a Lithuanian prince, and Kazimierz, son of Łokietek. The couple were only 15 years old. This alliance, however, took a heavy toll on the Polish king ( read more about this) .
9. For the possibility of taking power in Poland, Casimir the Great paid ... with castles and cows
Władysław Łokietek after the battle of Płowce. Image from the Jubilee Album published in 1910.
After the death of Władysław Łokietek, Jan Luksemburski made a claim to the Polish throne. Casimir the Great, wishing to receive the crown, had to make a difficult decision. On the one hand, he was threatened by the King of Bohemia, and on the other - by the Teutonic Knights. Like his father, he could not count on many allies. The rest of Europe looked at the Piast state rather with pity, treating it as seasonal. The young prince faced a dilemma:war or negotiations? (read more about this) .
8. Queen Jadwiga was not afraid of rebels or the most powerful bishop
According to legends, Łokietek was hiding from the Czechs in a grotto near Ojców. It doesn't matter where. The important thing is that he has completely forgotten about his family.
Clever and brave - this is the fastest way to describe Jadwiga Kaliska. She has accomplished several deeds that would be envied by the heroes of many sensational books. For example, she commanded the defense of Wawel in the absence of her husband. The attackers, hoping for an easy victory, must have been surprised when suffered a disastrous defeat by a woman (read more about this).
7. Only the chosen ones could see the king's coronation
Replicas of Polish coronation insignia.
January 20, 1320 was a very important day in the history of Poland. It became a kingdom again. However, only the chosen ones participated in this momentous event, which was the coronation of Władysław Łokietek in the temple on Wawel Hill. There was no place for oppositionists, talkers or pranksters. The person who received the invitation may certainly have felt exalted (read more on this).
6. The royal family's revenge was terrible (and bloody)
The torment of Clara Zach in the painting by Aladar Körösfoi-Kriesch.
The Hungarian king Charles Robert was attacked during a meal by the magnate Felicjan Zach. The monarch hid under the table, surrendering his wife Elżbieta (daughter of Władysław Łokietek) and two sons to the assassin. Fortunately, the attack was prevented. The attacker was killed before the king crawled out from under the table. And it was probably a happy ending for him, if you compare it with what soon happened to his loved ones (read more about it).
5. The Queen Mother was not going to retire
Elżbieta Łokietkówna in the vicinity of the manor house in the graphics of Fr. Pillati
We know that Jadwiga did not accept Casimir the Great's wife, Aldona Anna. But the enterprising queen also conspired against her own son. She did it "for the sake of the king and the dynasty." Apparently, she was not entirely convinced of her son's political abilities ... Or maybe she did not want to accept the fact that it was time to retire? (read more about this).
4. One of the greatest disappointments of the royal family is the birth of a daughter
Elżbieta Bośniaczka with her daughters in a relief from the reliquary of Saint Simeon
Louis of Anjou was "unlucky" that only girls were born to him:first Catherine, then Maria. Even more so, when his wife became pregnant for the third time, everyone was counting on a son. Especially the sister of Kazimierz Wielki and the mother of Ludwik, Elżbieta Łokietkówna, had great hopes for the birth of a boy. After all, he could have become the heir of not only the Hungarian but also the Polish throne (read more about it).
3. Aldona Anna and her mother-in-law did not have an easy life
Casimir the Great on an unfinished sketch by Jan Matejko.
Aldona Anna did not have a strong position at court. After the death of Władysław Łokietek, Queen Jadwiga did not agree to the coronation of the young Lithuanian woman. Kazimierz's wife was disadvantaged by the fact that she was only recently baptized. She also did not give birth to the young king of the expected son. To make matters worse, she liked dancing and games. After all, Gediminas' daughter was so hated that even her husband waited for her death (read more on that).
2. Elżbieta Łokietkówna was the most influential woman in Europe
Elizabeth enthroned. Queen's seal made immediately after her coronation. Illustration from the book "Ladies of the Polish Empire" by Kamil Janicki.
Emperor Charles IV, among others, found out how strong the influence of Łokietek's daughter was. He wanted to regain the kingdom of Dalmatia for Venice. Elizabeth, who was the Queen of Hungary and the regent in charge of the disputed territory, did not intend to give up without a fight. Not only did she win the Habsburgs to her side, she also reconciled the Bavarian princes, who also joined the coalition. As a result, there were even voices about the need to change the emperor (read more on this topic).
1. Łokietek bought himself a crown
John XXII on the papal throne. Miniature from the 15th century.
Pope John XXII's predecessor had squandered virtually all of his wealth. No wonder the new Holy Father was looking for every way to refill the treasury. You could win a lot in this situation - of course, as long as you had the right resources. Łokietek, who dreamed of the royal crown, was aware of that. He sent Bishop Kujawy Gerward to the Holy See, endowing him with the appropriate funds (read more about this).