Casimir
Casimir the name of several kings of Poland. Of these the most important were Casimir III and Casimir IV.
(1309–1370), called “The Great,” followed his father, Wladyslaw Lokietek, to the throne in 1333. In 1340 he added most of Galicia to his kingdom. Casimir codified the laws of Poland. He protected German and Jewish minorities and improved the lot of the peasants. In 1364 he founded a school that became the University of Kraków.
(1427–1492), succeeded to the throne in 1447. He defeated the Teutonic Knights after a bitter struggle lasting 13 years, and compelled them to cede West Prussia to Poland. Casimir IV was a patron of learning, and his reign was a golden age of Polish culture. He established the Polish Diet (parliament) in 1467.