The dispute over the Warmia bishopric during the thirteen-year war : against the background of Poland’s relations with the papacy in the middle of the 15th century

The article is devoted to one of the more interesting problems in the relations between Poland and the Apostolic See during the thirteen-year war; this problem concerned the dispute which arose in connection with the appointment of the new bishop of Warmia, following the death of bishop Franciszek Kuhschmalz. While in exile in the city of Wrocław, several canons who had previously accompanied the dead bishop, selected Eneas Silvius Piccolomini to the post; others, under the pressure of the Order, chose Arnold von Venrade, while those supporting the Polish cause, opted out for Vice-Chancellor Jan Lutek of Brzezie. Ultimately, it was Eneas Silvius Piccolomini who was elected, winning the support of Kalikst III himself. In order to do away with the resistance of both Poland and the Teutonic Order, before actually taking over the bishopric, cardinal Piccolomini carried out an energetic diplomatic agitation. Above all, the cardinal tried to win over the Polish king as he was aware of the fact that without the king’s permission, the matter will not be settled in a positive way. Despite obtaining the papal nomination, Eneas had been recognized neither by the Polish king, nor by the Order. However when a few months later, Eneas was elected pope, both sides had to recognize his rights. After his election, the new pope nominated his friend - the canon of Warmia and apostolic protonotary Paweł Legendorf as the new administrator of the Warmia bishopric. In the Archives of the Archdiocese in Wrocław as well as in the Secret Archives at the Vatican, one can still come across documents which testify to the fact that following his election, pope Pius II did not cease to deal with issues relating to the Warmia bishopric. At the end of the article, the author encloses two of these documents which testify, among others to the assistance the pope gave to Paweł Legendorf in his attempts to recover the money from the loan which the previous bishop of Warmia granted to the Wrocław chapter.