** [[File:POL_gmina_Wiślica_COA.svg|20x20px]] [[Wiślica]]

** [[File:Alex_Volhynia.svg|18px]] [[Principality of Volhynia|Volhynia]]

** [[File:Alex_Peremyshel.svg|18px]] [[Principality of Peremyshl|Peremyshl]]

** [[File:Zvenyhorodl_g.png|18px]] [[Principality of Zvenyhorod|Zvenyhorod]]

** [[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Terebovlia.svg|18px]] [[Principality of Terebovlia|Terebovlia]]

[[Cumans]]

| commander1 = Inhabitants of Wiślica

| commander2 = [[Yaropolk II of Kiev]]<br />[[Volodymyrko Volodarovych]]<br />[[Pannonian (1135)|Pannonian]]

| image = Поход Владимира Володаревича Галицкого на Киевскую землю.jpg

| caption = Volodymyrko Volodarovych's forces

| strength1 = Heavy

| strength2 = Unknown

The '''Ruthenian raid on Poland (1135)'''{{Efn|Najazd Rusinów na Polskę (1135)}} was a military expedition of [[Volodymyrko Volodarovych]], the son of [[Volodar of Peremyshl]], seeking revenge for his father's defeat and capture by the Polish palatine [[Piotr Włostowic]].

== Background ==

In 1121, a Ruthenian invasion fell on Poland under the command of Prince [[Volodar of Peremyshl]], but the invaders were defeated by the [[palatine]] [[Piotr Włostowic]], who took Volodar captive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Długosz |first=Jan |url=https://wpolonia2polska.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/dlugosz-jan-roczniki-czyli-kroniki-krolestwa-polskiego-ksic499gi-iii-i-iv.pdf |title=Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol IV |date=2009 |publisher=Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN |isbn=978-83-01-16069-2}}</ref>{{Rp|page=387}}

In an attempt to redeem his father's honor and secure his freedom, Volodymyrko, the son of the [[Ruthenians|Ruthenian]] prince, gathered all his wealth to pay the hefty ransom demanded by the Polish king [[Bolesław III Wrymouth]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=387}}<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Kadłubek |first=Wincenty |url=https://wpolonia2polska.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/kadlubek-wincenty-kronika-polska.pdf |title=Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae |date=2008 |publisher=Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich - Wydawnictwo |isbn=978-83-04-04969-7 |language=Polish}}</ref>{{Rp|page=143}} Realizing that direct retaliation wouldn't suffice, Volodymyrko resorted to cunning and betrayal reminiscent of his father's downfall.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=144}} He enlisted the help of a notable, unknown by name, [[Pannonian Basin|Pannonian]] figure, known for his dignity and status, to avoid arousing suspicion.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=144}} This Pannonian, seeking refuge in Poland, fabricated stories about persecution by King [[Béla II of Hungary]], who demanded unjustified punishment for those who supported the descendants of [[Stephen I of Hungary]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=KWORUM - Polsko-Polonijna Gazeta Internetowa - www.kworum.com.pl |url=https://www.kworum.com.pl/art8035,rus_i_litwa_wrogowie_polski_piastowskiej.html |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.kworum.com.pl}}</ref> Out of fear of his father, he presented Bolesław as his only refuge, emphasizing the closed borders of other countries that did not want to give him shelter.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=144}}

Bolesław III Wrymouth, trusting the Pannonian's seemingly authentic narrative, supported him and gave him shelter, unaware of the betrayal brewing in his ranks.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}} The Pannonian gained Bolesław's trust incrementally, gradually deceiving him in matters of increasing importance.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}} Bolesław not only granted him favors and privileges but also entrusted him with intimate secrets. Additionally, Bolesław bestowed upon him the town of Wiślica, renowned for its strategic location and impregnable defenses.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=388}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=144}}

== Sack of Wiślica ==

[[File:Yaropolk II of Kiev.jpg|left|thumb|171x171px|Yaropolk II of Kiev]]

The Pannonian's betrayal reached its climax when he exploited Bolesław's absence to fabricate an urgent decree, claiming a Ruthenian raid and ordering the populace to gather in Wiślica for safety.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=389}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=145}} Terrified by the prospect of invasion and punishment, the people complied without hesitation, bringing their valuables with them. This decree was nothing more than a ruse to lure them into a trap. When the traitor Pannonian realized that his plan was in motion, he summoned Prince [[Yaropolk II of Kiev]] his sons and their forces to Wiślica under false pretenses.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=389}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Rys historyczny - Urząd Miasta i Gminy Wiślica |url=http://www.ug.wislica.pl/127/rys-historyczny.html |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.ug.wislica.pl}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Muzeum Narodowe w Kielcach - Muzeum w Wiślicy |url=https://mnki.pl/wislica/pl/o_muzeum/historia |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=mnki.pl}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

As Prince Yaropolk II of Kiev, Volodymyrko Volodarovych and their forces, supported by [[Cumans]], descended upon Wiślica, the Pannonian quietly opened the gates under the cover of night, allowing Yaropolk's army to launch a brutal assault on the unsuspecting populace.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=390}} A massacre ensued, sparing no one, regardless of age, gender, or social status.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=390}} The once-prosperous town of Wiślica was reduced to ashes, its streets stained with the blood of innocent victims.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=390}}<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=145}}<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wyborcza.pl |url=https://kielce.wyborcza.pl/kielce/7,47262,25525195,grod-na-gipsowej-wyspie.html |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=kielce.wyborcza.pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-09 |title=WIŚLICA Kolegiata. Gmina Wiślica, powiat buski. |url=https://dawnekieleckie.pl/wislica-kolegiata/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Dawne Kieleckie}}</ref>

In the wake of this tragedy, when the extent of the Pannonian's betrayal became clear, Prince Yaropolk II tried to impose an appropriate punishment on the treacherous instigator, ordering to first cut out his tongue, then tear out both eyes, and finally completely castrate him so that the family of traitors would not multiply.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=145}} Subjecting the Pannonian to mutilation was a stark reminder of the consequences of deceit and betrayal.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=390}}

== Aftermath ==

For Bolesław III Wrymouth, the revelation of the Pannonian's duplicity served as a harsh lesson in the dangers of misplaced trust. The betrayal perpetrated by the Pannonian shattered the illusion of security and stability, leaving Bolesław to grapple with the sobering reality that even those who seemed most trustworthy could harbor ulterior motives.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=390}}

As the dust settled and the echoes of betrayal faded away, Bolesław was left to mourn the loss of many innocent lives and to realize that the bonds of friendship and alliance could easily be broken by the insidious forces of betrayal and deceit.

* [[Yaropolk II of Kiev]]

* [[Volodymyrko Volodarovych]]

* [[Wiślica]]

== Sources ==

* Długosz Jan, ''Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol IV'' {{ISBN|978-83-01-16069-2}}

* Kadłubek Wincenty, ''Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae'' {{ISBN|978-83-04-04969-7}}