This was, of course, a pretext for assault, as in 1108 the case of Almus, the brother of King Koloman of Hungary, who took refuge in the court of the emperor, besides exiled from the country. On the expedition to Hungary, the emperor was supported by meals of the Czech Świętępełek, but Germany failed to intervene. They retreated after a fewer failures. Despite this lesson, Henry V undertook a fresh intervention, this time in defence of allegedly injured Zbigniew. Henry was not crowned emperor in Rome until 2 years later, but he was already the ruler of the empire. Therefore, his letter to Bolesław was kept in the speech of ultimatum. The Emperor demanded that half of the kingdom be given to Zbigniew, and besides 300 fines of the yearly Tribute or 300 knights for imperial expeditions. Otherwise, the dispute was to be settled by the sword...Boleslaw (then 23-year-old) did not get over threats, and in consequence were besides those arrogant words: "...then watch who you threaten: if you start a war, you will find it!" A akin consequence must have caused conflict, especially as Czechs besides called for the invasion of Poland. They assured the emperor that they knew the paths and roads in Polish forests. Henryk V, encouraged by the possible of an easy triumph, moved to Poland. The crooked ones were fighting the Pomeranians. But erstwhile Henry V stood under Bytom, the castle stood well armed, ready to defend. Seeing this, the emperor asked Zbigniew, his companion: “So do the Poles respect you as their master? That's how they want to leave your brother and want to take over by you?”
After failure under Bytom, the imperial army - on August 24 - crossed the river under Głogów. Despite his surprise, this castle resisted Germany. The Emperor's men burned down only houses outside the city's lines, took prisoners. Głogów's siege is 1 of the most celebrated events of this campaign, and the heroism of the defenders of the castle to this day is the pride of the past of the Polish weapon. Głogów's defense, described by Gall in his chronicle, even rather in detail, is inactive an interesting reading. The Emperor, in order to break the opposition of the gorgians, went to infidelity, placing hostages taken on siege machinery. But the defenders preferred to sacrifice their sons alternatively than surrender the city. So they clashed with the same determination of storming Germans and Czechs. On the another hand, they had no choice, due to the fact that Krzywousty threatened the townspeople with gallows in the event of giving the castle to the emperor. After the triumph expedition to Pomerania, the Polish ruler came with the aid of the besieged.
Boleslaw's Huffs were harassed by imperial troops, making trips from the forests as well as under Głogów. According to Gall: “In specified ways, for many days the emperor tried to conquer the city, but he got nothing but fresh meat of his dead all day. For all day noble men were killed there, who were embalmed with salt and aromas after their bowels were torn out, and laid down in dense wagons, so that the emperor could drive them to Bavaria or Saxony, as the only tribute from Poland.” End of quote.
The already demoralized imperial army departed from Głogów's siege, moving towards Wrocław. Her march took place under the conditions of the siege by Bolesław's teams, who continued to torment Germans and Czech meals at all times. No 1 dared to thin beyond the line of the camp, and at night the imperial people slept in the barbs. Fear prevailed in their ranks due to the fact that “Bolesław was like a lion roaring constantly around them” (Gall Anonymous, “Kronika Polska”). No food, no horses. The Emperor tried to leave with his face, sent a letter to Krzywousty demanding only 300 fines as evidence of worship, after which he was to leave Polish lands. But if he refused this tribute, he threatened to march to Kraków. It was already pure bluff, the imperial army was not able to do this operation, and shortly the final defeat at Wrocław took place. After this battle, dogs spread the bodies of fallen Germans and Czechs, since then the site of this conflict was called Psim Polem.
The survivors of the imperial army retreated, then Świętobek Czech, stabbed with javelin, reportedly by 1 of his own. The Emperor's invasion ended in a complete defeat of his army. And Bolesław made a retaliatory journey to the Czech Republic that fall, and then again to Pomerania. On the throne of the Czech Republic, he established the Duke of Czech Borzywoj, his great-aunt. Relations with the Czech Republic improved, they stopped paying them tribute from Silesia. Zbigniew remained at the imperial court, trying his plots further. Bolesław – at the end of 1112 – called him back, promising forgiveness and even giving him respective castles. However, Zbigniew did not think of expiation, he returned like a prince giving thanks to the sounds of musicians, ordering him to carry a bare sword before him. This was the privilege of the rulers. Bolesław understood that his half-brother – formerly connected with the Czechs, Pomeranians or Germany against Poland – did not change his attitude. He so ordered him to be blinded, and as a consequence of this punishment Zbigniew died. In those days, specified cruel ways were frequently used. That same year, King Koloman of Hungary brought Brother Almus from Germany, after which he besides directed him to teardrop his eyes out.
After Zbigniew Krzywousty's death, he did penance. He was isolated from people, fasting, wearing a hairline. He pilgrimaged to the monastery of St.Ide in Hungary, besides going barefoot to Gniezno, to the tomb of St. Did he feel remorse? Or did the clergy curse him? It's not rather clear, and Gall's chronicle ends at 1113...
Marek Baterovich
Editorial:
We encourage you to get the book by Marek Baterowicz published by our association - stories about the "war of Jaruzel"- It's coming in the wound.
