Władysław I the Elbow-high

Władysław I, known as 'the Elbow-high' (Łokietek in Polish) due to his short stature, reigned as King of Poland from 1320 to 1333 and is regarded as one of Poland's greatest medieval monarchs. Born around 1260, Władysław spent much of his early life in exile, driven from Poland by the Teutonic Knights and regional rivals. His greatest achievement was the reunification of Polish lands that had been fragmented among various dukes and foreign powers. After his victory at the Battle of Płowce in 1331 against the Teutonic Knights, Władysław secured Polish independence and territorial integrity. He crowned himself king in 1320, establishing Warsaw as a significant center of power and laying the groundwork for Poland's future prominence in Central Europe. His reign marked the beginning of the Polish Kingdom's golden age, and he is celebrated in Polish history as a visionary leader who restored national pride and sovereignty after decades of partition and foreign domination.