Konflikt księcia pomorskiego Bogusława IV z zakonem templariuszy (1283 – ok. 1291)

The article is dedicated to the conflict of the Duke of Pomerania, Bogislaw IV with the Knights Templar, which broke out in 1283 and lasted at least until the autumn of 1291. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the causes of this feud, its details, as well as the effects of individual decisions and actions taken by its participants. The article is an outcome of research, the significant part of which was the analysis of normative sources, including documents issued by Pomeranian dukes, the Knights Templar, bishops of Lebus and Kamień, as well as Brandenburg Margraves from the House of Ascania. It should be emphasised that the analysis of the papal bull issued by Nicholas IV in 1291 was crucial for preparing the article. As a result of the research, it was established that Bogislaw IV had good relations with the Knights Templar at least until July 1281. They deteriorated in 1282 as the Templars became closer to the Brandenburg Margraves, who competed with the duke for influence in the region. During the war of 1283–1284 between the Margraves and the coalition of rulers and towns of North Germany and Pomerania, the Knights Templar supported the House of Ascania. This led to an outbreak of a long-standing conflict between the Order and Bogislaw IV, who raided the Templars’ commandery in Rurka twice, probably in 1284 and 1289. The second attack resulted in a complicated and turbulent trial that was instigated by a complaint that the Knights Templar from the German-Slavic Province submitted to Pope Nicholas IV. It was not possible to determine when exactly this conflict ended and what its consequences were.