What made him special? How did this duke of the rather insignificant Kujawy district become the King of Poland and the first king to be crowned in Kraków? Historians claim that he must have been stubborn and ready to take risks. From today’s perspective we would say that he had a dream paired with a passionate determination to make his dreams come true.

Łokietek managed to unite many of the lands that had been functioning as separate districts. He became a duke of the Brzesko-Kujawy district in 1267, the Sieradz district in 1288, the Łęczyce district in 1294. After the death of Przemysław II,  he even became the duke of Kraków, but was chased out of the country shortly afterwards and replaced by Czech kings – Wacław II and Wacław III. Many would have given up after such an event, but not Władysław Łokietek. He returned and became the King of Poland, was crowned in the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków and buried there – his tomb survived the many turmoils of history and we can visit it in Kraków today.

The tomb may also carry an answer to the question, ‘Why was Władysław named ‘Łokietek’? Most historians believe that this was due to his short size. The word ‘łokieć’ (an elbow) in those days was a measure, just like a metre or yard today. But Łokietek’s tomb is 67 cm longer than that of his son, King Kazimierz Wielki, who was known not to be short. Perhaps ‘Łokietek’ was a nick name to highlight his insignificant beginnings and it was a way of looking down on him by other more important and richer rulers. But in the end, it was Łokietek who became a king and it was Łokietek who came down in history as the ruler who reunited Poland after years of division.

Illustrations:

Marcello Bacciarelli, Władysław Łokietek the Elbow-high, between 1768 and 1771

Anton Boys, Władysław Łokietek the Elbow-high, 1579-1587

Photo: *fiedler* (2014), Monument to Wladyslaw Łokietek in Tarnow.

Photo: Bornholm (2023), The figure of King Wladyslaw Łokietek from his tombstone

Jan Matejko, Władysław Łokietek, from Portraits of Polish Kings and Dukes, 1890-1892.

Mieczyslaw Barwicki, Wladyslaw Lokietek on a stout horse, 1905