Wartislaw I, Duke of Pomerania

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Wartislaw I was the first historical ruler of Pomerania and the founder of the Griffin dynasty.

His date of birth is estimated to have been 1100. His father may have been Swantopolk (Polish: Świętopełk) or Swantibor (Polish: Świętobór). Between 1120 and 1123 Wartislaw was captured by Bolesław III Wrymouth, the Duke of Poland, to whom he became a vassal. Bolesław owed tribute to the Holy Roman Empire and in 1124 and 1128 he asked bishop Otto of Bamberg to Christianize Pomerania. He succeeded in 1128, when Pomerania converted to Christianity at Usedom.

Wartislaw was married to Heila of Bavaria and Saxony. Wartislaw was murdered sometimes between 1134 and 1148, and was succeeded by his brother Ratibor I. The site of Wartislaw's death near Stolpe in the modern district of Ostvorpommern, where he is said to be slain by pagans, is marked by a rock called Wartislawstein with an engraved Christian cross in remembrance of his missionary efforts.

[edit] See also

Dukes of Pomerania

[edit] References

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