96. Leszek the White, High Duke of Poland, is Assassinated, Morcinkowo, Poland 1227

True Crime Medieval

During the Fragmentation of Poland, which lasted from 1138 to 1320, Leszek Bialy -- Leszek the White -- managed to reign as the High Duke of Poland four times, the last reign going on for 16 years before it ended, on account of his having been assassinated. That's a long reign, during the age of fragmentation, when the realm was, well, fragmented, and the position of High Duke got passed around pretty often. Leszek was attending a conference of several dukes when he was attacked in his bath, escaping naked on his horse for a short distance before the attackers caught up with him. So, he's well known for that, because it's dramatic, and a great subject for painting, but he's also famous for refusing to go on crusade because there was no beer in the Holy Land. Which is a really true thing; there's documentation.