Post by franek80 on Feb 2, 2008 13:34:03 GMT -7
The Tragic Story Of The Lovely Queen Wanda
King Krak reigned happily over Poland for many many years, and when he grew old and died, the people bitterly regretted the loss of their venerable ruler, for he was brave, just and wise. The grieving people of Poland loved him so much, that they brought containers of dirt from all over the country to the place where he was buried, and lovingly built a mound to honor him. 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 Kraków. 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".
Franek
King Krak reigned happily over Poland for many many years, and when he grew old and died, the people bitterly regretted the loss of their venerable ruler, for he was brave, just and wise. The grieving people of Poland loved him so much, that they brought containers of dirt from all over the country to the place where he was buried, and lovingly built a mound to honor him. 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 Kraków. 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".
Franek
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