III. The Postclassical Period, 500–1500 > F. Europe, 461–1500 > 7. Eastern Europe, 1300–1500 > a. Poland > 1447–92
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1447–92
 
CASIMIR IV, brother of Vladislav. He was able to make use of a rift between the great nobles (magnates) and the gentry (szlachta). The statute of Nieszawa greatly limited the power of the former and granted substantial rights to the latter (no laws to be passed, no war to be declared without their consent). At the same time, the independence of the Church was curtailed (bishops to be appointed by the king).  1
 
1454–66
 
War against the Teutonic Order. The Poles took advantage of the Prussian Union (Prussian nobles and towns in opposition to the order). The war was marked by constant shifting of the feudal forces and of the mercenaries from side to side, but the Poles ultimately gained the upper hand.  2
 
1466, Oct. 19
 
Poland achieved the second Peace of Thorn, finally securing an outlet to the Baltic. The order became a vassal of the Polish crown, and half its membership became Polish.  3
 
1471–1516
 
Vladislav, the son of Casimir, became king of Bohemia, which involved a long and indecisive war with Hungary (1471–78). Eventually Vladislav became king of Hungary as Ladislas (László) II (1490). (See Poland-Lithuania)  4
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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