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Birth:          20 Aug 1085 of Krakow, Poland
Death:          28 Oct 1138 

Notes
Stuart has d 1109/1112 (but that is death date of his wife)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boles%C5%82aw_III_Wrymouth
Boleslaw III Wrymouth (also known as Boleslaus III the Wry-mouthed, Polish: Boleslaw 
III Krzywousty) (20 August 1086[1][2] – 28 October 1138), was a Duke of Lesser 
Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole Poland 
between 1107 and 1138. He was the only child of Prince Wladyslaw I Herman and his 
first wife Judith, daughter of Vratislaus II of Bohemia.

Boleslaw began to rule in the last decade of the 11th century, when the central 
government in Poland was significantly weakened. Wladyslaw I Herman fell under the 
political dependence of the Count palatine Sieciech, who became the real ruler of the 
country. Backed by their father, Boleslaw and his half-brother Zbigniew finally expelled 
Sieciech from the country in 1101, after several years of fighting. After the death of 
Wladyslaw I Herman in 1102, two independent states were created ruled by Boleslaw 
and Zbigniew.

Boleslaw sought to gain Pomerania which caused an armed conflict between the 
brothers, and forced Zbigniew to flee the country and seek military help from German 
King Henry V. Boleslaw punished Zbigniew by blinding him. This action caused 
outrage among supporters of Zbigniew, resulting in a political crisis in Poland. 
Boleslaw once again gained the favor of his subjects with public penance, and made 
a pilgrimage to the monastery of his patron, Saint Giles, in Hungary.

Boleslaw, like Boleslaw II the Generous, based his foreign policy on maintaining good 
relations with neighboring Hungary and Kievan Rus, with whom he forged strong links 
through marriage and military cooperation in order to break the political dependence 
on Germany and his vassal, the King of Bohemia, who in moments of weakness of 
Polish policy was forced to pay tribute in Silesia. These alliances have allowed 
Boleslaw to effectively defend the country from invasion in 1109. Several years later, 
Boleslaw skillfully took advantage of the dynastic disputes in Bohemia to ensure 
peace on the south-west border.

Boleslaw devoted the second half of his rule to the conquest of Pomerania. In 1113 
he conquered the northern strongholds along Notec, which strengthened the border 
with the Pomeranians. In subsequent years, he took steps toward the conquest of 
Pomerania. The resolution of the conflict with the Holy Roman Empire allowed 
Boleslaw to subordinate Western Pomerania and incorporate Gdansk Pomerania. The 
military expeditions, carried out in three stages, ended in the 1120s with military and 
political successes. Integration of the newly annexed lands enabled Boleslaw to build 
churches and began the process of converting Pomerania. Bishop Otto of Bamberg 
confirmed the Christianization of Pomerania from 1123 onward.

In the 1130s Boleslaw participated in the dynastic dispute in Hungary. After an 
unexpected defeat, he was forced to make an agreement with Germany. The Congress 
of Merseburg of 1135 addressed the issues of Pomerania, Silesian (probably also 
Polish) sovereignty and the supremacy of the Archbishopric of Magdeburg over the 
Polish Church.

Boleslaw was married twice. His first marriage with the Kievan princess Zbyslava gave 
him an excuse to intervene militarily in the internal affairs of Russia. After her death, 
Boleslaw married to a German noblewoman, Salomea of Berg, which in some way was 
the cause of changes in Polish foreign policy: in the second half of his rule, the Prince 
sought to restore diplomatic relations with his western neighbor.[3] His last, and 
perhaps the most momentous act, was his will and testament known as "The 
Succession Statute" in which he divided the country among his sons, leading to 
almost 200 years of feudal fragmentation of the Polish Kingdom.

Boleslaw III Wrymouth has been recognized by historiography as a symbol of Polish 
political aspirations until well into the 19th century.[4] He also upheld the 
independence of the Polish archbishopric of Gniezno, despite a temporary failure in 
the 1130s. Despite undoubted successes, he committed serious political errors, most 
notably against Zbigniew of Poland, his half-brother. The crime against Zbigniew and 
his penance for it show Boleslaw’s great ambition as well as his ability to find political 
compromise.[5]
Childhood[edit]

Situation of Poland during the 1080s[edit]

In 1086 the coronation of Vratislav II as King of Bohemia, and his alignment with 
László I, King of Hungary, threatened the position of the Polish ruler, Prince 
Wladyslaw I Herman.[6][7] Therefore, that same year Wladyslaw I was forced to recall 
from Hungarian banishment the only son of Boleslaw II the Bold and a rightful heir to 
the Polish throne, Mieszko Boleslawowic. Upon his return young Boleslawowic 
accepted the over-lordship of his uncle and gave up his hereditary claim to the crown 
of Poland in exchange for becoming first in line to succeed him.[8] In return, 
Wladyslaw I Herman granted his nephew the district of Kraków.[9] The situation was 
further complicated for Wladyslaw I Herman by a lack of a legitimate male heir, as his 
first-born son Zbigniew came from a union not recognized by the church.[10][11] With 
the return of Mieszko Boleslawowic to Poland, Wladyslaw I normalized his relations 
with the kingdom of Hungary as well as Kievan Rus (the marriage of Mieszko 
Boleslawowic to a Kievan princess was arranged in 1088).[12] These actions allowed 
Herman to strengthen his authority and alleviate further tensions in international 
affairs.[13]

Birth of Boleslaw. Name and nickname[edit]

The lack of a legitimate heir, however, remained a concern for Wladyslaw I and in 
1085 he and his wife Judith of Bohemia sent rich gifts, among which was a life size 
statue of a child made of gold, to the Benedictine Sanctuary of Saint Giles[14] in 
Saint-Gilles, Provence begging for offspring.[15][16] The Polish envoys were led by 
the personal chaplain of Duchess Judith, Piotr.[17]

The date of birth of Boleslaw is closely linked with the death of his mother Judith. This 
fact is evidenced by contemporary sources:
Gallus Anonymus in the Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum reported 
that Duchess Judith gave birth to Boleslaw on the day of King Saint Stephen of 
Hungary[18] (whose feast since the 11th century was celebrated on 20 August). 
However, the Duchess' health never recovered from childbirth and died on the night 
of Nativity[18] (i.e. 24–25 December). Gallus did not note the year in his chronicle.
Cosmas of Prague wrote in Latin in his Chronica Boëmorum ("Chronicle of Bohemians") 
that Boleslaw was born three days before the death of Judith, who died in VIII Calends 
of January (25 December) of 1085.[19]
The Kalendarz krakowski said that Duchess Judith died on 24 December 1086,[20] 
and only indicated that the birth of Boleslaw was in the same year.[21]
The Obituary of the Abbey of Saint-Gilles reported the death of Judith on 24 December 
1086.[22]
The Rocznik kapituly krakowskiej (closely related to the Kalendarz krakowski) placed 
the death of Judith on 24 December 1086.[23]

Historian August Bielowski established Boleslaw's birth on 26 December 1085 and the 
death of his mother two days later, on 28 December. According to him Gallus 
Anonymus committed two errors. First, instead of the Sunday after the Nativity of the 
Lord wrote incorrectly in the Sunday of the Nativity. Secondly, he mistaken the day of 
Saint Stephen (26 December) with the festivities of King Stephen of Hungary (20 
August). Both corrections lead to the birth date of Boleslaw on 26 December. This 
theory was supported by the fact that in 1085 28 December fell on a Sunday.[24]

Oswald Balzer refuted Bielowski's theory and pointed that Judith's death was on the 
night between 24–25 December 1086, and the birth of Boleslaw was four months 
before, on 20 August. According to him, if Judith died on the night between 24–24 
December, are possible discrepancies in determining the exact date of the event. All 
known sources who placed the death of Judith, would then right. Gallus wrote that 
Judith died shortly after giving birth to a son. Later sources interpret this as a death in 
childbirth and Cosmas of Prague followed this fact, despite he didn't received the 
information at first hand. Hence, his mistake would result in this point. In contrast, the 
right -indicated by Gallus- date of birth of Boleslaw would be 20 August. In the 
medieval tradition the year began on 25 December. In that case, the reports of 
Cosmas must be concluded that Boleslaw was born yet in 1085. This information, 
however, was in contradiction with the reports of the Kalendarz krakowski, who gave 
the year 1086. Judith was styled by the authors of the Kalendarz as "regina Polonia" 
(Queen of Poland in Latin), and this title could be associated with her father's 
coronation as King of Bohemia and Poland on 15 June 1086 (according to Cosmas).
[25][26] Karol Maleczynski refuted the arguments of Balzer, who accepted the date of 
the coronation of Vratislav II given by Cosmas.[19] However, most researchers 
indicates that the coronation took place on 15 June 1085, so Judith could be called 
Queen a year earlier.[6][7]

Karol Maleczynski determined that the death of Judith took place on the night 
between 24–25 December 1085, and Boleslaw was born four months before, on 20 
August. Researchers found that the date given by the Rocznik kapituly krakowskiej 
(24 December 1086) was the same established by Cosmas (25 December 1085). The 
difference in the year could be explained in the different of style dating followed by 
Cosmas, who began the year according to the Julian calendar on 1 January and 
Christmas (Nativitate in Latin) on 25 December. For Maleczynski, Kazimierz Jasinski 
not consider this calendar difference who occurs only during the period 25–31 
December.[27]

Archaeologist Wojciech Szafranski reasumed the theory of Bielowski: Judith of 
Bohemia died on 28 December 1085, and Boleslaw was born two days before, on 26 
December. According to Szafranski Cosmas used the term VIII Calends of January, 
with no specific date. However, in the Chronicle of Gallus should read that Judith died 
on Christmas Day, but on Sunday in the Octave of Christmas.[24] Using such a 
broadened range of days, the investigator determined the birth of Boleslaw in the feast 
of Saint Stephen (26 December).[28] For this reasons, the date of 1085 given by 
Bielowski is correct according to him. However, Jasinski pointed the weaknesses of 
the argument of Szafranski because Gallus has written about the Octave, but 
specifically about Christmas night, but the investigator didn't consider all other 
sources, as well as the achievements of research in genealogy.[24]

Marian Plezia argued that Boleslaw was born on 2 September 1085 or 1086.[29] 
According to Gallus, the day of King Stephen of Hungary was also celebrated on 2 
September.[30] Jasinski considered this theory unfounded. In Poland the feast of King 
Stephen of Hungary is pointed by the Kalendarz krakowski and the kalendarz Kodeksu 
Gertrudy on 20 August. Besides, if Boleslaw was born on 2 September, Gallus probably 
would be noted that this was the day after the celebration of Saint Giles (1 
September), which was attributed to be the intercessor of his birth.[29]

Kazimierz Jasinski placed the death of Judith in the night between 24–25 December 
1086[31] and the birth of Boleslaw four months before, on 20 August.[32] In this point 
he agrees with the findings of Balzer. He supported his views with additional 
arguments: All sources are based in the missing Rocznika kapituly krakowskiej, and 
the next known text of this source refers to events in 1086.[33] Cosmas, writing his 
chronicle a few decades later, probably benefited from oral tradition and could make a 
mistake when he placed the year. His reports who placed the birth of Boleslaw three 
days before the death of his mother denoted a quite short time.[34]

Today is widely recognized the view of both Jasinski and Balzer, that Boleslaw most 
likely was born in the day of King Stephen of Hungary, 20 August 1086.[35]

According to Cosmas of Prague, Boleslaw was named after his uncle, Boleslaw II the 
Generous. Wladyslaw I Herman had no reason to named his first-born legitimate son 
after his brother, but probably in this way tried to placate the former allies of his 
predecessor.[36]

Boleslaw's nickname "Wrymouth" (pl: Krzywousty) appeared in Polish and Latin 
sources of the 13th century: Genealogii plockiej (Criwousti)[37] and the Roczniku 
swietokrzyskim mlodszym (Crzyvousti). Probably the origin of this nickname dates back 
on the 12th century and is relationed with some physical characteristics of the Polish 
ruler, who were noticed at the time of his reign.[36] Probably he began to be named in 
this way after 1114, because Gallus Anonymus in his Chronicle never mentioned it.[38] 
In the Kronice ksiazat polskich and Kronice polsko-slaskiej Boleslaw was qualified by 
the Latin adjective curvus, whose significance remains unclear. According to the 14th 
century Kroniki o Piotrze Wlostowicu the Prince was hunchbacked (Latin: gibbosus) or 
had a crooked mouth.[36][39] The 15th century chronicler Jan Dlugosz wrote:
He had a mouth on one side slightly bent, and for this he was called Wrymouth; 
however, this is not marred his face, and even added to him some charm.[40]
In 1974, in the Masovian Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral of Plock, where according to 
tradition Boleslaw was buried, an archaeological research project was conducted. A 
coffin was discovered containing the bones of 16 men and women. One of the skulls, 
of a man who died aged 50, had a deformed mandible.[41] There is a hypothesis that 
these remains belonged to Boleslaw. Opponents of this theory suggest that the Prince 
was named in this way many years after his death, and his contemporary Gallus did not 
mention any physical defect in the hero of his Chronicles. The defenders of the 
hypothesis argue that the work of Gallus has the characteristics of a panegyric in 
honor of Boleslaw, because the chronicler did not mention his physical infirmities. It is 
also speculated that the bone damage occurred as a result of childbirth complications, 
which led to the death of his mother a few months later.[42]

The nickname of Boleslaw was also explained in other ways. According to a legend, 
Boleslaw slammed his face against a wall after watching his father's subservience 
towards the Germans and Czechs.[43] According to Jan Dlugosz, the Prince in his 
youth suffered from an ulcer, which caused the deformity of his face.[44] According to 
older historiography, he received the nickname Wrymouth for his perjury.[45][46]
Death[edit]

Boleslaw III Wrymouth died on 28 October 1138, probably in the town of Sochaczew.
[195] There are no records about the circumstances of his death. 12th century 
sources didn't provide information about his place of burial. It was only in the 15th 
century, when Jan Dlugosz recorded that the Prince's tomb was in the Masovian 
Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Plock. However, he didn't show from where he took 
this information. Presumably the chronicler took this report from the lost Rocznik 
mazowiecki. Wawrzyniec Wszerecz, Canon of Plock during the 16th–17th century, 
wrote that Boleslaw was in a common coffin at the Cathedral, where the remains of his 
father Wladyslaw I Herman and several other Piast Masovian rulers were also placed.
[196]

Marriages and Issue[edit]

Boleslaw was married twice:

Zbyslava (c. 1085/90 – c. 1114[197]), his first wife, was a member of the Rurikid 
dynasty. She was the daughter of Sviatopolk II Michael, Prince of Polotsk (1069–71), 
of Novgorod (1078–88), of Turov (1088–93) and Grand Prince of Kiev (1093–1113). The 
marriage was probably concluded in 1103[198] with the purpose to obtain future 
military help from Kiev in the fight against Zbigniew. This union also notoriously limited 
the attacks of the Princes of Galicia and Terebovlia against Poland. Until Zbyslava's 
death the relations between Poland and the Principality of Galicia–Volhynia remained 
friendly.[199]

Salomea (c. 1093/1101 – 27 July 1144), his second wife, was a German noblewoman. 
She was the daughter of Henry of Berg-Schelklingen, Count of Berg. The marriage 
took place in January or February 1115.[200] This union was motivated by the current 
political situation, on the occasion of the signing of a peace treaty between Poland 
and Bohemia. Salomea came from a powerful and influential family, who, after the 
death of Emperor Henry V in 1125, as a result of the support of the opposition in 
Germany, lost their political influence at the court of Lothair III.[201]

In older historiography Adelaide, daughter of Emperor Henry IV, was erroneously 
considered as another wife of Boleslaw. The information about this stated that after 
the death of Zbyslava, Boleslaw married her in Bamberg in 1110. This report is 
provided by Jan Dlugosz and Archdeacon Sulger. This view was challenged by 
Oswald Balzer.[202]

Issue of Zbyslava of Kiev[edit]
1.Wladyslaw II the Exile (1105 – 30 May 1159), the only son of Boleslaw and Zbyslava, 
was Prince of Kraków, Silesia, Sandomierz, eastern Greater Poland, Kuyavia, Western 
Pomerania and Gdansk Pomerania (1138–46).[203] Gallus Anonymous wrote that the 
heir of the Polish throne was born in the winter of 1107–08, but omitted the gender and 
name of the child. The Rocznik swietokrzyski and Rocznik kapitulny recorded 
Wladyslaw's birth in 1105.[204][205]
2.A daughter [Judith?][206] (c. 1112 – after 1124), married in 1124 to Vsevolod 
Davidovich, Prince of Murom. Her filiation is doubtful, because in Russian chronicles 
was only noted that Vsevolod's wife came from Poland;[207][208] she probably could 
be either Boleslaw and Zbyslava's daughter or a member of the Awdaniec family as 
daughter of Skarbimir.[209]

Older historiography attributed another child born from the marriage of Boleslaw and 
Zbyslava. In addition to Wladyslaw II and the unnamed daughter was also added an 
unnamed second son. Gallus Anonymous wrote that this son was born around 1107–
08.[210] According to Oswald Balzer, he died shortly after birth.[211] However, Karol 
Maleczynski believed that he never existed, pointed that probably the sources who 
provided the year of 1105 as Wladyslaw II's date of birth (Rocznik swietokrzyski and 
Rocznik kapitulny) could be made a mistake.[212]

Issue of Salomea of Berg[edit]
1.Leszek (1115/16 – 26 August before 1131), the eldest son of Boleslaw and Salomea. 
He probably died in infancy.[212][213]
2.Ryksa (1116 – after 25 December 1156), eldest daughter of Boleslaw and Salomea, 
in 1127 she married with to Danish prince Magnus Nilsson, future King of 
Västergötland. This union was made to obtain Danish support for Poland in the war 
against Germany, but in 1134 Denmark took the side of Germany in the conflict. After 
Magnus' death in 1134, Ryksa returned to Poland. Later she married with Volodar 
Glebovich, Prince of Minsk and Hrodno; this marriage was concluded in order to 
obtain an ally in the Polish war against Hungary. Her third marriage was with King 
Sverker I of Sweden.[214][215]
3.A daughter (before 1117/22 – after 1131),[216] betrothed or married[217] in 1131 to 
Conrad, Count of Plötzkau and Margrave of Nordmark.[218]
4.Casimir, known in historiography as the Older (9 August 1122 – 19 October 1131), 
according to sources (like Rocznik kapituly krakowskiej), he died aged 9.[214][219] 
Jan Dlugosz in his chronicle wrote that he was born from the marriage of Boleslaw and 
Adelaide,[220] the Prince's supposed second wife.
5.Gertruda (1123/24 – 7 May 1160), a nun at Zwiefalten (1139).[221]
6.Boleslaw IV the Curly (c. 1125 – 5 January 1173), Prince of Masovia and Kuyavia 
(1138–46), of Kraków, Gniezno and Kalisz (1146–73), of Sandomierz (1166–73),[222] 
married aged 12 with Viacheslava, daughter of Vsevolod, Prince of Pskov.[223][224] 
Jan Dlugosz reported his birth in 1127 as the second son born from Boleslaw and 
Adelaide.[225]
7.Mieszko III the Old (1126/27 – Kalisz, 13 March 1202), Duke of Greater Poland 
(1138–1202), of Kraków (1173–77, 1190, 1199–1202), of Kalisz (1173–1202), of Upper 
Gdansk Pomerania (1173–1202) and Kuyavia (1195–98),[226] around 1136 married to 
Elizabeth, daughter of King Béla II of Hungary. The marriage was concluded as one of 
the provisions of the Congress of Merseburg.[224]
8.Dobroniega (1129 – by 1160), after her father's death she was married by her mother 
Salomea[227] around 1141–42 to Theodoric I, Margrave of Lusatia,[228] who later 
repudiated her.[224]
9.Judith (1130 – 8 July 1175), betrothed in 1136 to Prince Géza, son of King Béla II of 
Hungary; however the marriage never took place and in 1148 she married to Otto I, 
Margrave of Brandenburg.[229][230]
10.Henry (1131 – 18 October 1166), Duke of Sandomierz (1146–66),[231] according to 
Jan Dlugosz he was born in 1132. Further mention of him was made in his chronicle by 
1139, describing the division of the country in districts.[232] Karol Maleczynski placed 
his birth between 1127 and 1131. During his father's lifetime Henry didn't play an 
important political role. He died in 1166 in battle against the Prussians, unmarried and 
childless.[224]
11.Agnes (1137 – after 1182), around 1140–41 she was a proposed bride to one of the 
sons of Grand Prince Vsevolod II of Kiev. This union was to ensure the support of 
Kiev in the dispute between Salomea's sons and Wladyslaw II, their half-brother.[233] 
At the end, the marriage never took place and she married around 1149–51 to Mstislav 
II, Prince of Pereyaslavl and Grand Prince of Kiev since 1168.[234][235]
12.Casimir II the Just (1138 – 5 May 1194), Duke of Wislica (1166–73), of Sandomierz 
(1173–94) of Kraków (1177–94), of Masovia and Kuyavia (1186–94),[236] for a long 
time considered a posthumous child, and for this reason not included in his father's 
testament.[229]

Older historiography attributed another two daughters from the marriage of Boleslaw 
and Salomea: Adelaide and Sophia.[237] Adelaide (c. 1114 - 25 March before 1132), 
was the first wife of Adalbert II the Pious, eldest son of Leopold III, Margrave of 
Austria. Modern historians denies that she was a daughter of Boleslaw.[213][238][239] 
Sophia (d. 10 October 1136), was probably the mother of Mateusz, Bishop of Kraków.
[240][241]

Parents
HERMAN Wladislaw (Ladislas) I (ABT 1043 - 4 Jun 1102)
OF BOHEMIA Judith (Judita) I (ABT 1058 - 25 Dec 1086)

Siblings
____ Boleslaw III "Crooked Mouth" (20 Aug 1085 - 28 Oct 1138)

Marriage To SVYATOPOLKOVNA OF KIEV Zbyslava (Sbislawa) Sbyslava (ABT 1087 - ABT 1114)
    m. 1103 

Notes
his first

Parents
MIKHAIL ISJASLAWITSCH Sviatpolk (Svyatopolk) (Swjatopolk) II (1050 - 16 Apr 1113)
OF BERG-SCHELKLINGEN Solome (ABT 1060 - 27 Jul 1144)

Children by SVYATOPOLKOVNA OF KIEV Zbyslava (Sbislawa) Sbyslava ABT 1087 - ABT 1114
____ Wladislav II "The Exile" (1105 - 30 May 1159)

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