Frederick I's expedition to Głogów

Background

In 1157, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa launched a campaign against Poland to restore the exiled Władysław, eldest son of Bolesław III Wrymouth. Poland had been divided into provinces among Bolesław's sons after his death in 1138, leading to fratricidal conflict. Władysław was banished, and the castellan of Głogów had earlier conspired with the opposition led by Bolesław IV the Curly, who seized Silesia and Głogów in 1146. Władysław found refuge at the imperial court and eventually secured German intervention.

War

Barbarossa's army departed Halle on August 4, 1157, following traditional routes through Lusatia. The Piast forces received military aid from Cumans, Prussians, and Pomeranians but were outmatched by the German army's superior numbers and quality. The Poles used delaying tactics, obstructing paths and cutting forests, and devastated their own land to hinder the imperial advance. Barbarossa's troops pillaged bishoprics and committed acts of violence.

A dysentery outbreak among German troops, caused by the absence of beer, claimed more lives than combat. Reaching Głowów on August 22 with Czech-Moravian reinforcements, the imperial forces found the Polish garrison had abandoned the fortress after setting it ablaze. The fall of Głogów breached the final line of Piast defense in the west, and Barbarossa's army advanced into Greater Poland. Some historians argue abandoning Głogów was a strategic necessity due to inadequate fortifications.

Aftermath

The campaign devastated parts of Poland but was the last major confrontation between Poland and the Holy Roman Empire in the early Piast period. Władysław the Exile did not regain Silesia or Głogów; Bolesław the Curly retained them. Głogów was rebuilt but gradually lost military significance, leading to the development of a new city on the left bank of the Oder River.