LADISLAO I, king of POLONIA, called ŁOKIETEK. - Thus surnamed because of his small stature. Born in 1260, died on 2 March 1333, he is one of the most eminent figures in Polish history, because of his effort to unite under his sceptre the scattered Polish lands, in the north against the Teutonic Knights, in the south (Little Poland) against Bohemia.
After inheriting Sieradz and Łęczyca and unsuccessfully attempting to seize Sandomierz and Little Poland, disputed with him by Venceslao II of Bohemia, he succeeded in subduing Greater Poland and Pomerania with Danzica. Dethroned by Venceslao II (1300), who had himself crowned king of Poland, Hungarian aid and that of Bonifacio VIII enabled him to resume the struggle against Bohemia and, having defeated Venceslao, he was crowned king of Poland at Cracovia on 20 Jan. 1320; he did not succeed against the Teutonic Knights, whom he continued to fight until his death for dominion over Pomerania, that is, for access to the sea.