Sack of Wiślica

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The Sack of Wiślica (Polish: Zniszczenie Wiślicy) refers to an alleged military expedition of Volodymyrko Volodarovych, the son of Volodar of Peremyshl, seeking revenge for his father's defeat and capture by the Polish palatine Piotr Włostowic. His expedition is said to have resulted in the destruction of the town of Wiślica in the year 1135.

Historiography[edit]

The event is primarily known through a single account: the Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae by Wincenty Kadłubek. Polish historian Krzysztof Benyskiewicz [pl] in 2020 argued that while existing accounts and archeological evidence confirm Wiślica was indeed destroyed at that time, all the details about Wiślica's destruction, including who the culprit might have been, provided by Kadłubek (and repeated, with some variations, by later sources, such as Jan Długosz), are "the product of the chronicler's imagination."[1]

Kadłubek's account[edit]

Background[edit]

In 1121, a Ruthenian invasion fell on Poland under the command of Prince Volodar of Peremyshl, but the invaders were defeated by the palatine Piotr Włostowic, who took Volodar captive.[2]: 387 

In an attempt to redeem his father's honor and secure his freedom, Volodymyrko, the son of the Ruthenian prince, gathered all his wealth to pay the hefty ransom demanded by the Polish king Bolesław III Wrymouth.[2]: 387 [3]: 143  Realizing that direct retaliation wouldn't suffice, Volodymyrko resorted to cunning and betrayal reminiscent of his father's downfall.[2]: 388 [3]: 144  He enlisted the help of a notable, unknown by name, Pannonian figure, known for his dignity and status, to avoid arousing suspicion.[2]: 388 [3]: 144  This Pannonian, seeking refuge in Poland, fabricated stories about persecution by King Béla II of Hungary, who demanded unjustified punishment for those who supported the descendants of Stephen I of Hungary.[2]: 388 [4] Out of fear of his father, he presented Bolesław as his only refuge, emphasizing the closed borders of other countries that did not want to give him shelter.[2]: 388 [3]: 144 

Bolesław III Wrymouth, trusting the Pannonian's seemingly authentic narrative, supported him and gave him shelter, unaware of the betrayal brewing in his ranks.[2]: 388  The Pannonian gained Bolesław's trust incrementally, gradually deceiving him in matters of increasing importance.[2]: 388  Bolesław not only granted him favors and privileges but also entrusted him with intimate secrets. Additionally, Bolesław bestowed upon him the town of Wiślica, renowned for its strategic location and impregnable defenses.[2]: 388 [3]: 144 

Sack of Wiślica[edit]

The Pannonian's betrayal reached its climax when he exploited Bolesław's absence to fabricate an urgent decree, claiming a Ruthenian raid and ordering the populace to gather in Wiślica for safety.[2]: 389 [3]: 145  Terrified by the prospect of invasion and punishment, the people complied without hesitation, bringing their valuables with them. This decree was nothing more than a ruse to lure them into a trap. When the traitor Pannonian realized that his plan was in motion, he summoned Prince Yaropolk II of Kiev his sons and their forces to Wiślica under false pretenses.[2]: 389 [5][6][4]

As Prince Yaropolk II of Kiev, Volodymyrko Volodarovych and their forces, supported by Cumans, descended upon Wiślica, the Pannonian quietly opened the gates under the cover of night, allowing Yaropolk's army to launch a brutal assault on the unsuspecting populace.[2]: 390  A massacre ensued, sparing no one, regardless of age, gender, or social status.[2]: 390  The once-prosperous town of Wiślica was reduced to ashes.[2]: 390 [3]: 145 [6][5][7][8]

In the wake of this tragedy, when the extent of the Pannonian's betrayal became clear, Prince Yaropolk II tried to impose an appropriate punishment on the treacherous instigator, ordering to first cut out his tongue, then tear out both eyes, and finally completely castrate him so that the family of traitors would not multiply.[3]: 145  Subjecting the Pannonian to mutilation was a stark reminder of the consequences of deceit and betrayal.[2]: 390 

Aftermath[edit]

For Bolesław III Wrymouth, the revelation of the Pannonian's duplicity served as a harsh lesson in the dangers of misplaced trust. The betrayal perpetrated by the Pannonian shattered the illusion of security and stability, leaving Bolesław to grapple with the sobering reality that even those who seemed most trustworthy could harbor ulterior motives.[2]: 390 

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Benyskiewicz, Krzysztof (2020-12-21). "Zniszczenie Wiślicy w 1135 roku w świetle przekazów źródłowych i literatury historycznej (część I: źródła)" [Destruction of Wiślica in 1135 in light of source records and historical literature (part 1: sources)]. In Gremium. Studies in History, Culture and Politics (in Polish) (14): 39–67. doi:10.34768/ig.vi14.292. ISSN 1899-2722.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Długosz, Jan (2009). Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol IV (PDF). Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. ISBN 978-83-01-16069-2.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Kadłubek, Wincenty (2008). Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae (PDF) (in Polish). Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich - Wydawnictwo. ISBN 978-83-04-04969-7.
  4. ^ a b "KWORUM - Polsko-Polonijna Gazeta Internetowa - www.kworum.com.pl". www.kworum.com.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  5. ^ a b "Rys historyczny - Urząd Miasta i Gminy Wiślica". www.ug.wislica.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  6. ^ a b "Muzeum Narodowe w Kielcach - Muzeum w Wiślicy". mnki.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  7. ^ Kędracki, Janusz (December 22, 2019). "Gród na gipsowej wyspie. Nie był siedzibą książęcą, lecz obwarowanymi koszarami". kielce.wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  8. ^ "WIŚLICA Kolegiata. Gmina Wiślica, powiat buski". Dawne Kieleckie. 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2024-02-17.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

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