Battle of Zawichost

The Battle of Zawichost also called Zawichost campaign fought on 19 June or 14 October 1205, was a key clash between the troops of Duke Roman the Great of Galicia-Volhynia and the Polish forces led by Leszek the White, Duke of Sandomierz, and his brother Konrad I of Masovia. After Roman invaded Lesser Poland, his army was surprised and defeated by the Poles near Zawichost on the Vistula River. Roman was killed as a result of the battle, which led to the strengthening of Leszek's and Conrad's positions and triggered a war of succession in the Duchy of Galicia-Volhynia. The battle is considered one of the greatest victories of medieval Poland.

Prior to the battle, in the 11th century, there had been border disputes between the Polish principalities and the Ruthenian principalities, and the territories of Lesser Poland and Galician-Volhynian Rus had changed affiliation several times. The early Middle Ages were characterised by a sparse population of these areas, which were settled by both Rus peoples from the east and Poles from the west. In 1199, Leszek the White supported Roman the Great militarily, helping him to take the throne in Volodymyr. However, in 1205 Roman invaded Lesser Poland, leading to a confrontation with Polish forces. After the victory at Zawichost, Leszek the White's reputation grew considerably, enabling him to take power in Kraków. His brother, Conrad, having come of age, demanded a share in power, which led to the division of the country between them.