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The Battle of Głogów or Battle of Glogau, (Polish: Obrona Głogowa, German: Schlacht bei Glogau, also Defense of Głogów) was fought August 14, 1109, between the forces of the Kingdom of Poland and the Holy Roman Empire. Recorded by chronicler Gallus Anonymous it is presently one of the most well known battles in Polish history. The Polish forces were led by Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth, while the German forces were under command of German King Henry V. Bolesław was victorious.
In 1107 Bolesław had expelled his older step brother and co-ruler Zbigniew. Zbigniew sought help from Henry V of the Holy Roman Empire and after Bolesław had campaigned Bohemia in 1108, joined the expedition of Bohemian duke Svatopluk and the Holy Roman Emperor to Poland.
Henry V. and his army crossed the border and approached Głogów on September 8. They defeated a Polish army which was stationed near the town. Knowing that Bolesław was in the city, Henry decided to grant Głogów's citizens a five day ceasefire to ask their king to surrender. Henry made the citizens of Głogów give up their children as hostages as a guarantee of the ceasefire and promised to give them back alive no matter what the answer of the Polish king would be.
Bolesław had no intention to hand over the city. After the five days were up, Henry V. reversed his decision and laid siege to Głogów. Breaking his promise, he chained the child hostages to his siege engines, hoping that the people of Głogów would not shoot their own offspring, which would allow him to conquer the Polish settlement.
However, Henry's cruelty towards children only strengthened the resolve of Głogów's defenders. Several attacks by the German army were repulsed. After many days of unsuccessful fighting and the assassination of Duke Svatopluk, Henry V. was forced to abandon the siege and march south. His campaign ended in Bolesław's victory at the Battle of Hundsfeld.
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