Historical calendar: November 24, 1227 – Gąsawa bombing

Historical calendar – the anniversary of the assassination effort on the lives of 2 Piast princes who sought to unite the country in an era of alleged territory breakdown.

Today in our calendar we will look at the turbulent period of the first half of the 13th century.

The division of Poland between the sons of Bolesław Krzywousty led to a full series of interior fights for dominance over the country. Individual princes conducted their own interior and abroad policies, making alliances, only for immediate benefits. However, any of them, whether it was patriotism or the interests of their own home, sought to reunite the full state.

In 1217 an agreement was reached between the Krakow Duke Leszek Biały, the Silesian Duke Henry I Brodaty and the Wielkopolska Duke Władysław III Laskonogi. The pact was aimed at the Kalisz prince Władysław Odonica, who complained to Wielkopolska.

The alliance of the 3 most powerful Sands guaranteed them their intentions. Laskopody rapidly went to trial with his nephew (Odonice) and inactive in 1217 exiled him from Wielkopolska. However, he shortly returned to Poland. He went to Gdansk, where the governorship on behalf of the Piasts was held by Świętobek. They formed an alliance in which Odonic was to regain his fatherhood in Wielkopolska, and Świętaplek became independent of the Piasts and form his own independent principality.

In 1223, Świętobek and Odonic won the estuary over Notecia and Nakło. The control of these castles allowed to organize further expeditions to Wielkopolska. It was then at the initiative of Leszek Bialyst that the full hub rally was called to Gąsawa. Leszek White, Konrad Mazowiecki and Henryk Brodata arrived personally. Laskonogi was represented by Archbishop Vincenty Niałek and Bishop of Poznań Paul. It is not certain that Odonic has arrived in Gooseva. Polish bishops were besides present.

The gathering most likely began on St. Martin's Day, which was 11 November 1227 and, as could be expected, was headed in a direction that was unfavourable to Odonica and Świętopelka. Therefore, Świętobek organized a riding squad, which was sent to Gąsawa on 24 November in the light dawn.

The soldiers of the Świętapek found Henry Brodat in their bed and almost killed him. A badly wounded prince was saved by the knight Peregryn of Wiesenburg. Meanwhile, Leszek the White Killer was found in the bathhouse. Initially, the Prince of Cracow managed to escape from a bloody ambush and rode horse to Gniezno. Unfortunately, the horses of Świętopelka caught him in the village of Marcinkowo and killed him there.