Background
He was the oldest son of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland (and since 1173, High Duke of Poland) by his first wife, Elisabeth, who was the daughter of King Béla II of Hungary.
Duke of Greater Poland Duke of Kalisz
He was the oldest son of Mieszko III the Old, Duke of Greater Poland (and since 1173, High Duke of Poland) by his first wife, Elisabeth, who was the daughter of King Béla II of Hungary.
Odon"s name appeared for the first time as a signatory in a document issued on 21 May 1161 at Łęczyca, the location of the first Polish Sejm. Additionally, the High Duke had attempted to force Odon to become a priest in order to eliminate him from the succession. As well, Odon wanted to enlarge his domains and found an opportunity to conquer the Duchy of Greater Poland.
Odon pursued the war against his father for a year until Mieszko III was forced to abdicate and flee.
By 1181, Miesko III had returned to Poland. Enlisting the aid of the Pomeranians, he wrested control over Greater Poland and Poznań from Odon.
Some historians believed that he remained in the Greater Poland capital until his death. When Odon’s younger brother, Mieszko the Younger, died on 2 August 1193, Odon obtained the Duchy of Kalisz with his father"s blessing.
Little is known about Odon"s reign over Kalisz beyond the fact that he founded a mint, where coins have been recovered bearing the inscription "Odon Dux" ("Duke Odon")—suggesting a high degree of autonomy.
Odon died on 20 April 1194. He was buried in the Cathedral of Poznań.