# Sack of Wiślica

The Sack of Wiślica (Polish: Zniszczenie Wiślicy) refers to an alleged 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. His expedition is said to have resulted in the destruction of the town of Wiślica in the year 1135.

## Historiography

The event is primarily known through a single account: the Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae by Wincenty Kadłubek. Polish historian Krzysztof Benyskiewicz [pl] in 2020 argued that while existing accounts and archeological evidence confirm Wiślica was indeed destroyed at that time, all the details about Wiślica's destruction, including who the culprit might have been, provided by Kadłubek (and repeated, with some variations, by later sources, such as Jan Długosz), are "the product of the chronicler's imagination."

## Kadłubek's account
### 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.$^{:387}$
In an attempt to redeem his father's honor and secure his freedom, Volodymyrko, the son of the Ruthenian prince, gathered all his wealth to pay the hefty ransom demanded by the Polish king Bolesław III Wrymouth.$^{:387}$$^{:143}$ Realizing that direct retaliation wouldn't suffice, Volodymyrko resorted to cunning and betrayal reminiscent of his father's downfall.$^{:388}$$^{:144}$ He enlisted the help of a notable, unknown by name, Pannonian figure, known for his dignity and status, to avoid arousing suspicion.$^{:388}$$^{:144}$ This Pannonian, seeking refuge in Poland, fabricated stories about persecution by King Béla II of Hungary, who demanded unjustified punishment for those who supported the descendants of Stephen I of Hungary.$^{:388}$ Out of fear of his father, he presented Bolesław as his only refuge, emphasizing the closed borders of other countries that did not want to give him shelter.$^{:388}$$^{: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.$^{:388}$ The Pannonian gained Bolesław's trust incrementally, gradually deceiving him in matters of increasing importance.$^{:388}$ 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.$^{:388}$$^{:144}$

### Sack of Wiślica

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.$^{:389}$$^{:145}$ Terrified by the prospect of invasion and punishment, the people complied without hesitation, bringing their valuables with them. This decree was nothing more than a ruse to lure them into a trap. When the traitor Pannonian realized that his plan was in motion, he summoned Prince Yaropolk II of Kiev his sons and their forces to Wiślica under false pretenses.$^{:389}$
As Prince Yaropolk II of Kiev, Volodymyrko Volodarovych and their forces, supported by Cumans, descended upon Wiślica, the Pannonian quietly opened the gates under the cover of night, allowing Yaropolk's army to launch a brutal assault on the unsuspecting populace.$^{:390}$ A massacre ensued, sparing no one, regardless of age, gender, or social status.$^{:390}$ The once-prosperous town of Wiślica was reduced to ashes.$^{:390}$$^{:145}$
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.$^{:145}$ Subjecting the Pannonian to mutilation was a stark reminder of the consequences of deceit and betrayal.$^{:390}$

### 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.$^{:390}$