Klement of Ruszcza
| Klement of Ruszcza | |
|---|---|
| Voivode | |
 | |
| Voivode of Kraków | |
| Reign | 1241, 1243-1252 |
| Predecessor | Włodzimierz of Cracow |
| Successor | Klemens Latoszyński |
| Born | c. 1190 |
| Died | 1256 |
| Noble family | Świebodzice |
| Spouse(s) | ? |
Issue
| |
| Father | Sulisław of Cracow |
| Mother | ? |
Klement of Ruszcza (Polish: Klemens z Ruszczy, Klemens Ruszczaski) was a Polish nobleman and Voivode of Krakow in 1241 and from 1243 to 1252.
Life
Klement was born to Sulisław from the Gryfici (Świebodzice) noble family in the House of Griffins.
In 1228 he obtained rights to the village of Lutowice, Zagórze (where he built a castle), Zator, and Woźniki. He founded a settlement on the river Koprzywianka which he named Klimontów, after himself. For a time he was Castellan of Krakow.
In March 1241 he succeeded his uncle as Voivode of Kraków after the death of Włodzimierz at the Battle of Chmielnik. Kraków was sacked a week later by the Mongols. His father Sulisław and most of the Polish high nobels, including Henry II the Pious, were killed at the Battle of Legnica. The new Duke of Poland Bolesław II Rogatka, successor to Henry II, confirmed his post as Voivode. Konrad Mazowiecki, the Duke of Masovia, attacked Krakow the same year and Klement and the Cracovians were left to defend Krakow alone without help from the Silesian princes, which they abandoned in July in favor of Skała. A few months later the fortress of Skała fell to Konrad and Klement capitulated and fled to Hungary.
He returned to Lesser Poland in 1243 with Hungarian troops with the aim of putting Bolesław Wstydliwy on the throne of Krakow. His army gathered other Polish knights who advocated for the placement of Bolesław and together they clashed with the army of Konrad and the Masovians at the Battle of Suchodoł in May 1243. After this victory Bolesław took control of Krakow, a move supported by Bishop Jan Prandota.
Because of his successes Klement's previous position as Voivode was restored to him. In 1252 he received he obtained a privilege from Bolesław Wstydliwy, releasing him and his descendants from all levies and burdens for the benefit of the ruling house, moreover the right of trial and the privilege of building castles and serving other princes.
He died in 1256.
Literature
- A. Małecki, Studya heraldyczne, t. II, Lwów 1890, s. 54-56.
- L. M. Wójcik, Ród Gryfitów do końca XIII wieku. Pochodzenie – genealogia – rozsiedlenie, „Historia” CVII, Wrocław 1993, s. 64-67.