Editing Bolesław III Wrymouth (section)

===Conquest of Western Pomerania===
In 1121 (or 1119<ref>For this date is in favor J. Spors [in:] J. Spors: ''Studia nad wczesnośredniowiecznymi dziejami Pomorza Zachodniego XII-połowa XIII w.'', p. 119.</ref>) Pomeranian Dukes [[Wartislaw I, Duke of Pomerania|Wartislaw I]] and [[Swietopelk I, Duke of Pomerania|Swietopelk I]] were defeated by Bolesław's army at the battle of [[Niekładź]] near [[Gryfice]].<ref>E. Rymar: ''Rodowód książąt pomorskich'', p. 98.</ref> Polish troops ravaged Pomerania, destroyed native cities, and forced thousands of Pomeranians to resettle deep into Polish territory.<ref>I. Ihnatowicz, A. Mączak, B. Zientara: ''Społeczeństwo polskie od X do XX wieku'', pp. 55–56.</ref> Bolesław's further expansion was directed to [[Szczecin]] (1121–22). He knew that this city was well defended by both the natural barrier of the Oder river and his well-built fortifications, like [[Kołobrzeg]]. The only way to approach the walls was through the frozen waters of a nearby swamp. Taking advantage of the element of surprise, Bolesław launched his assault from precisely that direction, and took control of the city. Much of the population was slaughtered and the survivors were forced to pay homage to the Polish ruler.<ref name="Baranowska, pp. 40–42">O. Baranowska: ''Pomorze Zachodnie – moja mała ojczyzna'', pp. 40–42.</ref>

Bolesław probably fought battles on the western side of the Oder, as well as near Lake Morzyce (now the German ''[[Müritz]]''), which were technically outside of Pomerania. At the same time, [[Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair, Duke of Saxony (and future Holy Roman Emperor)]], also moved against this area. According to contemporary sources, a Saxon army approached from above the [[Elbe]] River in the direction of modern-day [[Rostock]]. They conquered the [[Warini]]s, [[Circipania|Circipanes]], [[Kessinians]] and part of the Tollensers tribes.<ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 154.</ref> This two-pronged expansion was probably the result of earlier unknown agreements between the rulers. This was the first step for the later Christianization of Pomeranian lands.<ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 155.</ref>

In 1122 Bolesław finally conquered [[Western Pomerania]], which became a Polish fief. Duke Wartislaw I was forced to pay homage, as well as an annual [[tribute]] of 500 marks of fine silver to the Polish ruler,<ref>One mark of silver was equal to 240 [[denarius|denarii]]. A. Czubinski, J. Topolski: ''Historia Polski'', Ossolineum 1989, p. 39.</ref> and was further obliged to give military aid at Bolesław's request.<ref>R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: ''Dzieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, pp. 144–145.</ref><ref name="Fabiańczyk, p. 39">L. Fabiańczyk: ''Apostoł Pomorza'', p. 39.</ref> In subsequent years the tribute was reduced to 300 marks.<ref name="Szymański, p. 381">J.W. Szymański: ''Książęcy ród Gryfitów'', p. 381.</ref> This success enabled Bolesław to make further conquests. In 1123 his troops even reached [[Rügen]], but failed to conquer it.<ref name="Baranowska, pp. 40–42"/>

According to modern historiography, Bolesław began to pay tribute to Emperor Henry V, at least from 1135, believed to have been 500 marks of fine silver annually. It is unknown why Bolesław did this, as the sources do not contain any reference to the Polish ruler being tributary to the Holy Roman Empire in the period 1121–35.<ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', pp. 155–156.</ref>