|
They kept
on bringing more and more soil until it grew impressively large.
The mound they built in honor of King Krak is
still there outside of Krakow to this day.
After the death of his father,
Krak's son Krak was destined to rule in Krak?w. But his
jealous brother, in a blinding rage killed him, thinking
that he would rule in his brother's place. But, he did
not sit long upon the throne, for it was soon discovered
he had committed the terrible deed. Fearing for his life,
he ran away to escape their justice and hide for the rest
of his miserable days in the forests of Poland. The
councilors assembled at Wawel. "Who is going to rule
us?", they asked each other. "Krak also had a
daughter" the people exclaimed, "she is
wise, and brave, and the people love her". Soon the
councilors saw the wisdom in this and broke with their
traditions to ask the young and lovely Wanda to rule over
her people.
At first,
young Wanda was reluctant to accept the crown the
councilors brought to her. But the people would not be
turned away, and their rousing support of her at her
coronation ultimately convinced her to sit on the throne
of Krakow. Queen Wanda graciously accepted her role and
wisely ruled all of Poland.
Now it is
said that Wanda was wise and beautiful. But in truth it
should be told that she was all that and more. The people
were glad she was their queen, for during her reign peace
and prosperity prevailed over the land.
For years
Wanda ruled peacefully in Krakow Castle, but in the west,
on the borderlands, the Germans steadily grew in strength
and began ruthlessly attacking Polish hamlets and cities
with alarming frequency. The besieged Poles were outraged
and cried out for relief from the vicious attacks. Wanda
heard the cries of her countrymen, and issued a call to
arms to all of the brave knights throughout the country.
For the love of their country and their queen, the people
took up arms and joined her on her campaign.
Now, it
is known that at this time the grounds of Krakow castle
and the surrounding area were strongly fortified against
attack. So, with only 100 fierce knights left behind to
hold the defense of Wawel Castle, the brave Queen Wanda
went west to seek battle with the Germans and drive them
from her homeland. "Our ancestors and forefathers
fought the enemy in the forest, and were victorious!",
she told her armies. "We will win this war!"
At night
they pitched camp in the forest near the enemy lines. The
fires were put out, and the camp was asleep, when Queen
Wanda heard horses neighing in the dark. She quickly
awoke her knights, and got them ready for battle. The
element of surprise was on their side, and the forces
under Queen Wanda's banner were victorious.
But the
German commander, Prince Rytygier, would not admit defeat.
He desperately wanted to have the Polish lands, and since
the queen was young and beautiful, he devised a plan to
make Wanda his wife. He sent his messengers to Wawel
Court, and Wanda was distraught by the news they brought:
if she refused his proposal, Rytygier would bring his
armies again and again to loot and plunder the Polish
lands. The councilors seeking to appease the prince,
urged Queen Wanda to marry him. But Wanda could never
betray her people and deliver her beloved Poland to the
Germans.
Queen
Wanda wept; she would not marry a German, the long
standing enemy of her people. With a cry of grief, she
knew what she must do. Knowing that Rytygier would never
leave Poland alone as long as she was alive, she quickly
ran to the top of a cliff over the Wisla river. Sobbing
with grief for her people and her fate, she threw herself
down into the fast flowing river. The next morning,
fishermen came out to cast their nets into the river for
their morning catch and found her broken body tangled in
their nets.
Once
again the Polish people bid a weeping farewell to a
beloved ruler, building a mound over her grave. And in
Krakow to this day, they sing: "Brave Wanda, who
refused to be forced to marry a German prince and sell
Poland out, lies here buried in our soil".
|
