Władysław Odonic

Who was Władysław Odonic?

Władysław Odonic was a Duke of Kalisz during 1207–1217, Duke of Poznań during 1216–1217, in 1223 ruler over Ujście, from 1225 ruler over Nakło, Duke of all Greater Poland during 1229–1234, and since 1234 until his death ruler over only the north and east of the Warta river.

He was the eldest son of Odon, Duke of Kalisz, by his wife Viacheslava, daughter of Yaroslav Vladimirovich "Osmomysl", Prince of Halych. Władysław probably received his name after either his paternal uncle Władysław III Spindleshanks or his ancestor Władysław I Herman.

The nickname "Plwacz" was already given to him in the 13th century chronicles. It's unknown if he was named in that way for a disease who affected his throat or because he had bad manners. Another nickname used in the contemporary sources was "Odonic", a corruption of his patronymic Odowic; here is also unknown why the sources persisted in the erroneus form instead to used the correct.