LADISLAUS I, king of POLAND, called LOKIETEK. — So surnamed for his small stature. Born in 1260, died on 2 March 1333, he is one of the most eminent figures in Polish history, owing to his efforts to unify under his sceptre the scattered Polish lands, to the north against the Teutonic knights, and to the south (Little Poland) against Bohemia.
After inheriting Sieradz and Łęczyca and unsuccessfully attempting to take Sandomierz and Little Poland, which were contested by Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, he succeeded in subduing Greater Poland and Pomerania with Gdańsk. Deposed by Wenceslaus II (1300), who had himself crowned king of Poland, Hungarian aid and that of Boniface VIII enabled him to resume the struggle against Bohemia; after defeating Wenceslaus, he was crowned king of Poland at Cracow on 20 January 1320. He failed, however, to prevail against the Teutonic knights, whom he continued to fight until his death for control of Pomerania, that is, for access to the sea.