The ten-year-old son of Mieszko's eldest son Odon, with his mother Wyszesława of Halych and his two little sisters, lives in the care of his uncle Władysław Spindleshanks, who governs Odon's land south of the Obra in his name.
He is the rightful heir to that land and a grandson of the senior duke; in a few years he will be the focus of every enemy of his uncle, and Archbishop Kietlicz will take his side.
Who he is
- Name
- Władysław Odonic
- Title
- Duke's son, heir to Odon's duchy
- Since
- 20 April 1194 (his father's death)
- Born
- about 1190, so about 10
- Family
- Son of Odon (died 20 April 1194) and Wyszesława, daughter of Prince Yaroslav Osmomysl of Halych (alive after 1200). Sisters Ryksa (born about 1191) and Euphrosyne (born about 1192-94). Grandson of Mieszko III; nephew and ward of Władysław Spindleshanks. Unmarried (he marries Hedwig about 1218-20).
- Confidence
- high
en.wikipedia (Odon of Poznań; Władysław Odonic)
Overlord
His grandfather Mieszko III; his uncle Władysław as guardian
What it holds
- No land in his own hands; the right to Odon's duchy south of the Obra
How it was acquired
By inheritance on his father's death (1194); declared of age in 1206.
Allies and rivals
His mother's kin, the princes of Halych (Roman Mstislavich has held Halych since 1199). Later: Henry the Bearded of Silesia and Archbishop Kietlicz. Rival: his uncle Władysław.
How things stand that morning
A ward; no independent power. His land is governed by his uncle.
Wealth
None of his own.
Military
None of his own.
Threats
- His uncle keeping his inheritance
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1202After Mieszko's death his uncle keeps Odon's land; the boy and his mother go into exile later (Silesia).Depends on: Mieszko's death and Władysław's choice. Stopped by: Mieszko or a player securing the boy's share.
- 1206-1207Declared of age; Henry the Bearded gives him the Kalisz land (1207).Depends on: The Lubusz-Kalisz exchange. Stopped by: A different settlement.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Birth year and family from the standard genealogy; his whereabouts in 1200 are not recorded.
On the map: Same outline as Władysław's part.
Primary sources for Greater Poland
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of the Poles, by Master Vincent (Wincenty Kadłubek), Wincenty Kadłubek (about 1190 to 1208). Book 4 is a contemporary's account of the fight for the senior throne of Kraków. Read online
- The annals of the Kraków chapter and the other Polish annals (kept from the 11th century; the Kraków chapter annals continued to 1266). Short dated entries that fix the chronology Kadłubek blurs: the deaths of dukes and bishops, Mieszko the Old's captures of Kraków, Prussian raids on Masovia, church consecrations. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.