Świętopełk II of Pomerania
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Świętopełk II of Pomerania (Swantipolk II the Great or Świętopełk II Wielki, 1190/1200 - January 11, 1266) was prince of the Gdańsk district and, from 1227, duke of Eastern Pomerania in the years from 1215 until his death.
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[edit] Biography
He was the son of Mestwin I.
In 1216 (or 1217) he received Eastern Pomerania from Leszek the White of Kraków: Świętopełk, in exchange, declared himself his vassal, but secretly planned to free himself from Polish suzerainty. He found an ally in the person of Ladislas Odonic, who had been driven from Poland by Władysław III Spindleshanks. Świętopełk promised Ladislas the throne of Kraków and Silesia in exchange for his support in the ousting of Leszek and Henry I the Bearded of Lower Silesia. On November 23, 1227, on the occasion of an assembly of Piast dukes in Gąsawa, Leszek was killed in an ambush set by Świętopełk and Ladislas, while Henry was severely wounded. In that year Świętopełk assumed the title of duke of Pomerania.
In 1238 he conquered the duchy of Sławno, whose territories connected Pomerania to Gdańsk. He also formed an alliance with the Prussians against the Teutonic Knights. In 1252 the latter and Świętopełk signed a peace treaty with the mediation of the papal legate.
In 1266 he united all the districts and became sole ruler of united Eastern Pomerania.
His sons Mestwin II and Warcisław II inherited his lands.
[edit] Family
[edit] Marriages
- 1217/1218 Eufrozyna, daughter of Odon, duke of Greater Poland
- before 1252 (?) Ermenegarda of Mecklenburg
