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Monday, November 5, 2012

[November 5] Casimir III, king of Poland

Local Name: Kazimierz Wielki
Surnamed: "The Great"
Parents: Wladyslaw I, king of Poland, Hedwig of Kalisz
Born: 30 April 1310
House: Piast
Spouse(s): (1) Aldona, daughter of Gediminas, grand duke of Lithuania, and Jewna, then (2) Adelheid, daughter of Henry II, landgrave of Hesse, and Elizabeth of Meissen, then (3) Christina, then (4) Hedwig, daughter of Henry V, duke of Zagan, and Anna of Mazovia
Predecessor: Vladislaus I
Reign: 1333 – 1370
Brief: Though now considered the only "great" king of Poland, when he ascended the throne his crown was in peril. Wars had ravaged the land and the Polish economy. As king, he expanded the country southward into the Ukraine, and worked on improving the economy. Much of his reign was dominated by warfare, though Poland itself was relatively peaceful during the period. Castles were built around the marches of Poland and Casimir personally reformed the Polish army and civil service. He founded the University of Krakow to better educate his officials. Facing a lack of an heir, he designated Louis I of Hungary as his successor. An illegitimate son was born a few years earlier, but he failed to claim the throne. To avoid warfare with the Mongols, Casimir III paid tribute to the Golden Horde, which satisfied them for a time. Casimir died in 1370 leaving the country to Louis in personal union with the kingdom of Hungary, though his sister Elizabeth ruled as regent in Poland for many years. Casimir III was the last Piast king.
Date of Death: 5 November 1370
Successor: Louis

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