Editing Bolesław III Wrymouth (section)

===Senioral principle===
{{main|Bolesław Wrymouth's testament}}
Bolesław's experiences during his youth probably motivated him to make a division of his domains among his surviving sons. The loyal Count Palatine [[Piotr Włostowic]] was appointed to execute the provisions. In his testament, also known as the "Statute of Succession", Bolesław introduced the "senioral principle" in Poland in an effort to preserve the unity of the state and to prevent a power struggle among his sons.<ref name="Szczur, p. 128">S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 128.</ref> This regulation about the succession came into force after Bolesław's death, although is unknown the exact date of his establishment.<ref>G. Labuda: ''Testament Bolesława Krzywoustego'' [in:] A. Horst. (ed.), ''Opuscula Casimiro Tymieniecki septuagenario dedicata'', p. 178; J. Bieniak: ''Polska elita polityczna XII wieku (Część II. Wróżda i zgoda)'', [in:] Kuczyński K. (ed.), ''Społeczeństwo Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. III, p. 52.</ref> It is believed that its creation may have occurred in 1115 or 1116, after the birth of his son Leszek, or after the suppression of the rebellion of Skarbimir (in 1117).<ref>S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 127. According to J. Bienak the Testament was drawn up during the Christmas celebrations of 1117. J. Bieniak: ''Polska elita polityczna XII wieku (Część II. Wróżda i zgoda)'', [in:] K. Kuczyński (ed.), ''Społeczeństwo Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. III, pp. 51–52. The theory of Bienak was criticized by M. Dworsatschek. M. Dworsatschek: ''Władysław II Wygnaniec'', p. 37.</ref> Sources indicate that the original document about the succession was drawn up in 1137. The Statute was nullified in 1180 but restored by [[Pope Innocent III]] in 1210 after a petition of the Silesian rulers;<ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 302. The abolition of the Seniorate Principle occurred during the Congress of Łęczyca in 1180. In that meeting, the Lesser Poland domains were given to Casimir II as hereditary fief. R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: ''Dzieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, p. 183. The decisions of the Congress were further approved by [[Pope Alexander III]] on 28 March 1181. A. Bielowski (ed.): [http://kpbc.umk.pl/dlibra/publication?id=9073 ''Monumenta Poloniae Historica'' (in Polish)], p. 401, compare editor 1, p. 401.</ref> however, historians challenge this account in the absence of any other information.<ref name="Szczur, p. 128"/>

The senioral principle established that the eldest member of the dynasty was to have supreme power over the rest and was also to control an indivisible "senioral part": a vast strip of land running north–south down the middle of Poland, with [[Kraków]] its chief city.<ref name="Śmiech">A. Śmiech: [http://www.jednodniowka.pl/readarticle.php?article_id=68 ''Testament Bolesława Krzywoustego''] (in Polish) [retrieved 22 July 2014].</ref> The senior duke's prerogatives also included control over Pomerania, a fief of the Holy Roman Empire. Sources showed a discrepancy in terms of the power exercised by the senior duke. Pope Innocent III wrote about [[primogeniture]], while [[Wincenty Kadłubek]] refers to both seniority and primogeniture. Kadłubek combined in one sentence the two systems, ''i.e.'', inheritance of supreme power in individual districts, where primogeniture was in force. Among historians, there is a view that what Bolesław established was not seniority, but primogeniture that belongs exclusively to Władysław II and his descendants.<ref>E. Rymar: ''Primogenitura zasadą regulującą następstwo w pryncypat w ustawie sukcesyjnej Bolesława Krzywoustego'', "Śląski Kwartalnik Historyczny Sobótka", no 1 (48), pp. 10–15, 1993.</ref> The coverage and nature of power exercised by Bolesław IV the Curly in 1146 supports this hypothesis.<ref>Issues about the principate-seniority rules after Bolesław's death were further revised in the publication of A. Śmiecha, ''Testament Bolesława Krzywoustego''. In ''Statut o sukcesji władzy w Polsce'' the author presents the views of Polish medieval studies. A. Śmiech: [http://www.jednodniowka.pl/readarticle.php?article_id=68 ''Testament Bolesława Krzywoustego''] (in Polish) [retrieved 22 July 2014]. See also [in:] S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 128.</ref>