A Polish King who reigned during the 14th century was nicknamed ‘Łokietek’ that was translated into ‘Elbow-high’ because it was believed he was only three feet tall, but a new study finds the royal was at least five feet and the name may have been mistranslated.

A team of archaeologists collected genetic material from King Władysław Łokietek’s remains that lay inside a cathedral church at Wawel castle in Kraków and used the sample to reveal his true height.

The height of the average person living in western Europe during the Middle Ages was at least five feet, five inches tall and the new discovery means Władysław, although shorter than the average, was not as small as previously thought.

Łokietek was first deciphered as ‘Elbow-high’ in the 15th century, but other historians said the name means ‘Petty’ due to the little power he had while as a prince. 

Onet.com was told by Tomasz Wagner, an archaeologist who is also the head of the project’s research department, that he “was short but not very short.” 

‘In our view, the king was 152-155 cm (5’0″-5’1″) tall when he was alive.’ 

Researches drilled holes in the side of King Władysław Łokietek's to examine the remains inside. They collected genetic material in the form of bone fragments and analyzed them to determine the king's height

Researches drilled holes in the side of King Władysław Łokietek’s to examine the remains inside. The researchers collected bone fragments from the King Wladyslaw Lokietek’s side and analysed them for genetic material to establish the King’s height.

Władysław is recorded as being one of Poland’s greatest kings by bringing together a series of Polish principalities into a kingdom before dying in 1333.

The remains of his remains have been preserved in a grave chamber. However, he was not buried in a coffin. His body was instead placed on top of the limestone tomb.

A coffin is unnecessary for the burial of King Ludwig II. This is a surprise, because all other Wawel royal burials were in coffins,’ Wagner told Onet.

“His body was placed at the bottom, and the burial was kept in very good shape.” 

The First News reported that to obtain the genetic material the team had to pass an endoscope through the three holes made by The First News to view the inside of the tomb.

Since 2019, the project has been ongoing. The team first dug holes in the marble tomb, which is located inside the cathedral church’s main altar.

Łokietek was first deciphered as 'Elbow-high' in the 15th century, but other historians said the name means 'Petty' due to the little power he had while as a prince. His tomb sits inside a cathedral church at Wawel castle in Kraków

Łokietek was first deciphered as ‘Elbow-high’ in the 15th century, but other historians said the name means ‘Petty’ due to the little power he had while as a prince. His tomb sits inside a cathedral church at Wawel castle in Kraków

The chamber is decorated with a marble form of Władysław laying over the top and two years ago was the first time anyone has seen the inside of the tomb since it was sealed in 1333.

It has stood the test of the time, and the body of the King is now well preserved in his marble tomb. He is also still wearing the same robes that he was covered with 600 years ago.

Team members saw the king’s crown laid on his chest, as well as the remnants of a shroud covering his face during burial.

But he wasn’t buried with his crown on the head, and no other signs of entry are visible than those by researchers.

Władysław’s hand are still in the same positioned they were when he was laid to rest in the tomb, which also helped the team determine the king’s height, along with genetic material in the form of bone fragments.

The new analysis, if true, could alter the course of history.

Endoscopic inspection revealed that the tomb could not be opened or the remains destroyed. They have been well kept inside the building since 1333. 

The earliest record of the king’s nickname was transcribed in the 15th-century by Jan Długosz, who is considered Poland’s first historian.

Other historians later believed that it was an insult based on the political significance of his name.

And previous research has determined that Władysław’s son was six feet tall.

The team was able to see the scepter that laid across the king's chest when he was buried. However, he was not laid to rest inside a casket, but positioned on the stone floor of the tomb

When the king was to be buried, the team could see the scepter. He was, however, not placed in a casket but on the floor of the grave.

The king's body has also withstood the test of time and is well-preserved inside the marble tomb and is still covered in the robes he was buried in more than 600 years ago. Pictured are the shoes he was buried in

His body, which was also preserved in a marble tomb, has stood the test of the time. It is covered with the same robes that he was wrapped in 600 years ago. The shoes in which he was buried are shown here 

A shroud was laid over the king's face when he was buried and it is still there to this day. The endoscopic examination also showed that the tomb cannot be open or the remains would be destroyed, as they have been kept well preserved inside since 1333

The shroud that was placed over the face of King Charles II was used to cover his grave. It is still in place today. An endoscopic exam revealed that the tomb couldn’t be opened, and the remains could not have been destroyed. The chamber has been preserved well inside since 1333.

The height of the average person living in western Europe during the Middle Ages was at least five feet, five inches tall and the new discovery means Władysław, although shorter than the average, was not as small as previously thought

The height of the average person living in western Europe during the Middle Ages was at least five feet, five inches tall and the new discovery means Władysław, although shorter than the average, was not as small as previously thought

Some historians claim people in the medieval age were smaller than modern men, but others think it was the exact opposite.

Richard Steckel is a Professor of Economics at Ohio State University. He found that heights dropped from an average of 5 feet 6 inches in early Middle Ages to about 5 feet 4 inches in 17th- and 18th centuries.

Steckel stated in 2004 that the decline of 2 1/2 inches is significantly greater than any height fluctuations during various industrial revolutions.

Climate may be the reason for high heights in the Middle Ages. Steckel points out that agriculture from 900 to 1300 benefited from a warm period – temperatures were as much as two to three  degrees warmer than subsequent centuries. According to the theory, smaller communities had greater land options for raising crops or livestock.

Steckel explained that the temperature differences were enough to extend growing seasons by up to three or four weeks in many regions settled in northern Europe. “It allowed cultivation of land previously inaccessible at higher elevations.