Bogusław I, Duke of Pomerania

Bogusław I (also Bogislaw and Boguslaus; c.1130 18 March 1187), a member of the House of Griffins, was Duke of Pomerania from 1156 until his death. In 1181 he received the "Duchy of Slavinia" as a fief from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

Bogusław I
Duke of Pomerania
Bogusław's seal, c.1170
Bornc. 1130
Died(1187-03-18)18 March 1187
Sosnitza, Pomerania
BuriedUsedom Abbey
Noble familyHouse of Griffins
Spouse(s)Walburgis of Denmark
Anastasia of Greater Poland
Issue
FatherWartislaw I, Duke of Pomerania

Life

Bogusław and his younger brother Casimir were sons of Duke Wartislaw I of Pomerania, the progenitor of the Griffin dynasty, probably from his second marriage with the Danish princess Ida. Minors upon their father's violent death, both first had to cede the rule to their uncle Ratibor. After Duke Ratibor died in 1156, his nephews Bogusław and Casimir ruled the Duchy of Pomerania jointly.

In 1164 the brothers allied with the Obotrite prince Pribislav of Mecklenburg and supported his revolt against the Saxon duke Henry the Lion. They were defeated in the Battle of Verchen, but allowed to keep their duchy as a fief from Henry. As his loyal vassals, Bogusław and his brother participated in the defeat of the Rani principality on the island of Rügen in 1168, led by the allied King Valdemar I of Denmark. As neither Henry nor the Pomeranian dukes received any rewards from Valdemar, a lengthy conflict followed whereby Danish forces repeatedly plundered the Griffin estates. Peace was made in 1177, won by the payment of large tributes to the Danish king.

When Casimir was killed in 1180, presumably fighting against the invading troops of the Ascanian margrave Otto I of Brandenburg at Demmin, Bogusław went on to rule the Pomeranian duchy alone. One year later, Emperor Barbarossa, who had overthrown his revolting Welf rival Henry the Lion, granted Bogusław the Duchy of Slavinia (Slawia) as a fief. The duchy's territory as well as Bogusław's status as a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire remains uncertain.

The conflicts with Denmark continued, when in 1184 Bogusław campaigned against the Danish Principality of Rügen on the Emperor's behalf. Yet, this failed, when the Pomeranian navy was sunk in the Bay of Greifswald. After several counterattacks, Bogusław had to submit and take his duchy as a fief from King Canute VI of Denmark in 1185.

Duke Bogusław died in 1187 and was buried in Usedom Abbey. He was succeeded by his surviving sons Bogusław II (c.1177 1220) and Casimir II. In 1238 Pope Gregory IX wrote about Bogusław duce Cassubie (Gerard Labuda, 2006).

Marriage and children

He was first married to Walburgis of Denmark (d. 1177), daughter of King Valdemar I of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk, and secondly to Anastasia of Greater Poland, daughter of Mieszko III, Duke of Greater Poland and Eudoxia of Kiev. He had altogether 5 children.

With Walburgis of Denmark:

With Anastasia of Greater Poland:

Bogusław I, Duke of Pomerania
House of Griffins
Born: c. 1130 Died: March 18, 1187
Preceded by
Ratibor I
Duke of Pomerania-Stettin
1156–1187
Succeeded by
Bogusław II

See also

References

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