STRATEGIC GOAL OF THE KING HENRY V DURING STRUGGLES WITH THE POLISH COUNTRY IN 1109

Abstract

This article concerns the history of the Polish-German war of 1109. The main part of the considerations was devoted to the war strategy of the Germans, and to put it more precisely, the shape of their war plan, which was implemented by the invasion of Bolesław III the Wrymouth. In the context of the analyzed issue, the historian faces enormous difficulties because no message in available sources, where Henry the German ruler, with the intention of forcing the Polish leader to make concessions and, consequently, emerge victorious from the whole campaign, intends to reach his army. A look at the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the war allows to accept, that Germany strongly opposed the expansive politics of its neighbor, and the organization of a punitive expedition would serve to suppress her. To implement this type of idea, Bolesław's "center" of power was to be taken over. The research seems to indicate that it was located in Little Poland – in the “capital” Cracow the occupation of this city could guarantee the Germans victory and fulfill the strategic plan. Unfortunately, the course of military operations turned out to be diametrically opposed to what was probably predicted. The campaign ended with a disgraceful defeat of the German side and, most importantly, failure to meet the strategic assumptions it had previously set out.