Editing Władysław III of Poland (section)

===Opposition and Cardinal Oleśnicki, 1432–1434===
[[File:Kraków - Collegium Maius - Płaskorzeźba 01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Zbigniew Oleśnicki (cardinal)|Zbigniew Oleśnicki]], seen kneeling to the left, was instrumental in securing Władysław's right to the throne.]]

From a young age, Władysław was surrounded by advisors loyal to [[Zbigniew Oleśnicki (cardinal)|Zbigniew Oleśnicki]] (known in [[Latin]] as Sbigneus), a cardinal who acted as royal guardian and aimed at maintaining his influence and high position at court.{{sfn|Jefferson|2012|page=148}} Oleśnicki learned of Jogaila's death on 1 June 1434 in [[Poznań]], whilst he was en route to the [[Council of Basel#Council of Florence|Council of Basel]], but decided to remain in Poland and usurp the role of [[interrex]].{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|page=1}} He subsequently convened an assembly in Poznań with the assistance of [[Chancellor (Poland)|Chancellor Jan Taszka Koniecpolski]], and called for the nobles of [[Greater Poland]] to warrant Władysław's right to the crown.{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|page=2}} This arbitrary behaviour displayed by the assembly vexed the nobility of [[Lesser Poland]], who were outmanoeuvred and excluded from the vote.{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|page=2}}

There was growing antagonism in the [[demesne]] and the challengers feared that crowning a young and inexperienced king would invest Oleśnicki with too much power over the affairs of state.{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|pages=2–3}} Others repudiated a son of formerly-pagan Jogaila on the Polish throne and yearned for a living descendant of the [[Piast dynasty]]. The candidacy of [[Siemowit V of Masovia|Siemowit V]] remained a considerable threat to Władysław, especially that Siemowit was of royal Piast lineage and a member of a branch that ruled the [[Duchy of Masovia]] since the [[Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth]] in the 12th century.{{sfn|Spórna|Wierzbicki|Wygonik|2004|page=401}}

Many opponents also attempted to counter the power of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic clergy]], notably under the influence of [[Hussites|Hussitism]] from neighbouring [[Bohemia]]. Among the chief adversaries were {{ill|Abraham Zbąski|pl|Abraham Głowacz ze Zbąszynia}}, the judge royal of Poznań and a fierce propagator of the Hussites' proto-[[Protestant]] movement, {{ill|Dziersław Rytwiański|pl|Dziersław z Rytwian}}, and [[Spytko III of Melsztyn]], a supporter of pro-Hussite military expeditions led by [[Sigismund Korybut]] to Bohemia in the years 1422–1427.{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|page=2}}{{sfn|Sokołowski|Inlender|1897|page=312}} They received clandestine sponsorship from influential [[Magnates of Poland and Lithuania|magnates]] and nobles from Lesser Poland, who persuaded Oleśnicki to delay the coronation until 25 July 1434.{{sfn|Kwiatkowski|1883|page=2}} This granted the opposition additional time to establish an independent assembly on 13 July in [[Opatów]], where forthcoming actions were to be discussed.{{sfn|Sokołowski|Inlender|1897|page=311}} Oleśnicki, having discovered their intent, arrived to the proceedings unannounced and successfully questioned its purpose, and the council hastily dissolved.{{sfn|Sokołowski|Inlender|1897|page=311}} Negotiations were held in Kraków prior to 25 July with the dignitaries sent by [[Sigismund Kęstutaitis]] and Spytko, who attempted to obstruct Władysław's accession.{{sfn|Sokołowski|Inlender|1897|page=311}} {{ill|Jan Głowacz Oleśnicki|pl}}, [[Marszałek|Crown Marshal of Poland]] and the brother of Zbigniew Oleśnicki, called for a decisive vote, which ended the dispute.{{sfn|Sokołowski|Inlender|1897|pages=311–312}}