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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 82 (1994): Our Past

Articles

The pilgrim and the founder. Church foundations and the origins of Prince Jaksa

  • Jerzy Rajman
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1994.82.5-34  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1994-12-30

Abstract

Duke Jaksa is one of the most mysterious figures in the history of Poland in the 12th century. age. His mother was the sister of the last Slavic duke of Brenna. The father is unknown, probably one of the Slavic dukes living in the Elbe region. In 1149, Jaksa already had the ducal title, and in 1150 (or 1153) he managed to conquer Brenna with Polish help. He secured support from Poland through his marriage in 1145 to the daughter of Piotr Włostowic. He also maintained close contacts with the Toporczyk, Lis and Gryfit families and with the princely court, especially during the reign of Casimir the Just in Sandomierz. According to the author, the thesis about Jaksa's origin from the Gryfitan family is not sufficiently supported by sources. The author connects the origins of Jaksa's estate in Kraków and Lublin with his wife's dowry and executions from princes. A document from 1198 mentions that Jaksa received permission from the prince to establish a monastery. This disproves the theory that he inherited property in Poland. In the long run, Jaksa became associated with Poland through his church foundations. The result of his two pilgrimages to Jerusalem was the foundation of a monastery in Miechów for the Order of the Guardians of the Holy Sepulchre, which he appointed in 1163. In 1158 he went to Prague and established contact with the Premonstratensian monastery in Doksany. Probably before 1162, he founded a monastery in Zwierzyniec near Kraków and brought nuns there from Doksany. Both monasteries received three villages from him. The noble families associated with him and Prince Casimir also gave them rich donations. The construction of the church in Krzyżanowice nad Nida and the reconstruction of the church of St. Michał in Ołbin in Wrocław is probably due to Jaksa. He also donated generously to the Benedictine monastery in Sieciechów, founded by the Toporczyk family.

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