Alcohol was free, so even the news of an approaching enemy did not discourage the guards. Everyone drank so willingly that it was necessary to send for additional barrels of wine. You have never heard of this triumph of cunning.
Władysław Biały was a veteran in initiating revolts. A close relative of King Casimir the Great and young opposition activists opposing the rule of the Angevins in Poland, as early as 1373 - three years after the death of the last Piast - he launched the first rebellion against the legal authority. He counted, if not on winning the crown, then at least on a significant share in power and regaining the family principality of Gniewkowski in Kujawy, which he had pledged to Kazimierz years ago.
The first escapade of the adventurous prince ended in an absolute disaster (you can read more about it in my other article) . However, Władysław the White did not intend to give up. In the summer of 1375 he returned to Poland - this time much better prepared for action. He moved to Kujawy with the support of not only local frondists, but also troops sent to him by the ruler of Burgundy, Philip the Bold. It was even said that his expedition was helped by the Teutonic Knights, always eager to parade Polish kings.
Nepotism is harmful
Having learned from the last disgrace, the usurper tricked his enemies. He knew that in order to have a chance in battle, he had to capture Złotoria as soon as possible. It was the only brick fortress in the Duchy of Gniew, considered to be the most powerful point of resistance in the whole land. It would seem that, aware of the impending attack and the constant plots of the usurper, the Poles would fill it with the best people and set up watchmen at any time of the day or night. It didn't.
Władysław Biały in Dijon as imagined by Jan Matejko.
The commander of the fortress was a certain Krystyn from Skrzypno. A man who was considered a lazy drunk and promoted to this role only because of his family connections. Władysław the White knew his weaknesses. So instead of carrying out an assault, he sent to Złotoria… a group of agents disguised as fishermen.
Really strong head, really little brains
These people made unsuspecting guardsmen drunk with wine. They only had a problem with the commandant. It was not that he was reluctant to play in the face of the advancing enemy forces. Krystyn drank willingly, but his body was much too skilled and his head too strong. The wine was over and he was still standing.
Władysław Biały's people were forced to send to nearby Toruń for additional barrels. Only a new drink overwhelmed the commander, so that he and the bed were placed straight in front of the rebel.
Władysław the White conquered the fortress without a fight and without any losses, and then he entrenched himself in it, from this point sending gangs of robbers and soldiers to plunder nearby villages and towns. And someone say alcohol is okay…
Selected bibliography:
The article was based on materials collected by the author during the work on the book "Ladies of the Polish Empire. The Women Who Built a Power " . Some of these items are shown below. Full bibliography in the book.
- Dąbrowski J., Elżbieta Łokietkówna 1305-1380 , Universitas, Krakow 2007.
- Dąbrowski J., The last years of Ludwik the Great 1370–1382 , Universitas, Krakow 2009.
- Sroka S.A., Władysław Biały [in:] The Piasts. Biographical Lexicon , edited by K. Ożóg, S. Szczur, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Krakow 1999.
- Śliwiński J., Władysław Biały (1327 / 1333–20 February 1388). The last prince of Kuyavia. The greatest traveler among the Piasts , Avalon, Krakow 2011.