Wladyslaw Lokietek, or Wladyslaw the Elbow-high, born around 1260 as the third son of Kazimierz I Kujawski, Duke of Leczyca, Sieradz and Kuyavia, had in 1287 inherited Kuyavia upon the death of his father, while the remaining two duchies had gone to his brothers, Leszek Czarny (the Black) and Kazimierz II of Łęczyca.
However, following the deaths of both brothers, the entire inheritance had passed to Wladyslaw, who then set about the task of reuniting the five quarreling provinces of the Kingdom of Poland.
His next step is to win Lesser Poland—the 'senior palatinate', comprising the areas around Krakow, Leczyca, and Sieradz—for which he has had to contest the local prince, Przemysl II.
Following Przemysl's death in 1290, Wladyslaw proclaims himself his successor and establishes himself in Lesser Poland, as well as in Pomerania.
