Leo II of Halych

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Leo II of Halych (Ukrainian: Лев II Галицький), Lev Yuriyovich, Lev II, Lev II of Galich, Leo II of Galicia, Lev II Halytskyi, Lev II of Galič, Lew II Halicki (unknown - 1323) was the last Ruthenian (Ukrainian) king of Galicia-Volhynia in 1308-1323 (according to other sources since 1315). He was the son of George I of Halych (1252-1308) whom he succeeded on the royal throne of Galicia. After the death of his father, he ruled the kingdom together with his brother Andrew. Though the kingdom was one being managed together, there are sources informing that Andrew was seated in Volodymyr and Leo II in Halych.

1 Fighting Lithuania and Tatars
2 Death
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Fighting Lithuania and Tatars

The first common Letter of Leo II and Andrew dates to August 9, 1316, where they call themselves "after God's mercy, kings of all Ukrainian land, Galicia and Lodomeria". In that letter they renew the union with Prussian crusaders, whom they promise to defend from the Tatars and "any hostile invader". Under the last, one should understand Lithuania, that ever more threatened not only the unity but the existence of Galician state.

It is known that in the second decade of 14th century, Lithuanians strengthened their pressure upon Galicia-Volhynia taking Dorohychyn and Berest lands away. The years of rule of brothers were in constant fight with Gediminas of Lithuania.

Leo II and Andrew established firm relations with Polish king Wladyslaw I the Elbow-high and the Teutonic Order and attempted to weaken dependence on the Golden Horde. For some time they had been fighting the Mongol-Tatars and Lithuania.

They were also in union with the allies of Wladyslaw I the Elbow-high - Scandinavian and Pomorian kings against the Margraves of Brandenburg (1315).

[edit] Death

According to some historians he died together with his brother Andrew battling the Mongol-Tatars or Lithuanians defending Pidliashia.

Both king Andrew and his brother Leo II were much respected on the west. In May 1323, Polish king Wladyslaw I the Elbow-high in his letter to the Pope was writing with regret: "Two last Ruthenian (Ukrainian) kings, that had been firm shields for Poland from tatars, left this world and after their death Poland is directly under tatar threat.

After their death the the line of direct descendants of Roman Mstislavich broke and Galician state remained without dynasty. Galician boyars (nobility) attempted to rule the state themselves. That perhaps was the reason that that they went to get care of tatars, what Wladislaw I the Elbow-high became afraid of. But soon more conservative elements took among the boyars over and the Galician throne was given to mazovian duke Boleslaw Trojdenowicz (related to the deceased royal brothers through marriage to their sister Maria), who took the name George II Boleslaw who ruled Galicia in 1323-1338. Boleslaw Treojdenowicz was married to Andrew's sister Maria who ruled along with the husband. She was daughter of King George I of Halych and his second wife, Eufemia of Kujavia (d. 1308). Her niece, Eufemia, heiress of Volhynia ruled in Lutsk.