Bolesław Iv The Curly

Place: Kraków

Born: 1138

Death: 1173

Biography:

Bolesław IV the Curly (Polish: Bolesław Kędzierzawy; c. 1122 – 5 January 1173) was a Duke of Masovia from 1138 and High Duke of Poland from 1146 until his death in 1173. He was the son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg. Bolesław IV was married twice. His first marriage, to the Kievan princess Zbyslava, gave him an excuse to intervene militarily in the internal affairs of Rus'. After her death, Bolesław married a German noblewoman, Salomea of Berg. His last, and perhaps 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. Bolesław IV is known for his military campaigns against the Pomeranians and his diplomatic relations with Hungary and Kievan Rus. He was a key figure in the development of the Piast dynasty and the consolidation of the Polish state.