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Piast dynasty

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Piast
Country
Foundedc. 9th century
FounderPiast the Wheelwright(legendary)
Mieszko I of Poland(historical)
Final rulerCasimir III the Great(Kingdom of Poland)
Yuri II Boleslav(Galicia-Volhynia)
Janusz III(Masovia)
George IV William of Legnica(Silesia)
Titles
Dissolution1388 (outside Silesia and Masovia)
1675 (male)
1707 (female)
Branches

TheHouse of Piastwas the first historical rulingdynastyofPoland.[3]The first documentedPolish monarchwas DukeMieszko I(c. 960–992).[4]ThePiasts' royal rule in Polandended in 1370 with the death of KingCasimir III the Great.

Branches of the Piast dynasty continued to rule in theDuchy of Masovia(until 1526) and in theDuchies of Silesiauntil the last maleSilesian Piastdied in 1675. The Piasts intermarried with several noble lines of Europe, and possessed numerous titles, some within theHoly Roman Empire.TheJagielloniankings ruling after the death ofCasimir IV of Polandwere also descended in the female line from Casimir III's daughter.

Origin of the name

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The early dukes and kings of Poland are said to have regarded themselves as descendants of the semi-legendaryPiast the Wheelwright(Piast Kołodziej),[5]first mentioned in theCronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum(Chronicles and deeds of the dukes or princes of the Poles), written c. 1113 byGallus Anonymus.However, the term "Piast Dynasty" was not applied until the 17th century.[6][7]In a historical work, the expression Piast dynasty was introduced by the Polish historianAdam Naruszewicz;it is not documented in contemporary sources.[8][9]

History

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Deeds of the Princes of the Poles

The first "Piasts", probably ofPolandescent, appeared around 940 in the territory ofGreater Polandat the stronghold ofGiecz.[10]Shortly afterwards they relocated their residence toGniezno,where Prince Mieszko I ruled over theCivitas Schinesghefrom about 960. The Piasts temporarily also ruled overPomerania,Bohemiaand theLusatias,as well as part ofRuthenia,and the HungarianSpišregion in present-daySlovakia.The ruler bore the title of adukeor aking,depending on their position of power.

The Polish monarchy had to deal with the expansionist policies of the Holy Roman Empire in the west, resulting in a chequered co-existence, with Piast rulers like Mieszko I,Casimir I the RestorerorWładysław I Hermantrying to protect the Polish state by treaties, oath of allegiances and marriage alliances with the ImperialOttonianandSaliandynasties. The BohemianPřemyslid dynasty,the HungarianArpadsand theirAnjousuccessors, theKievan Rus',later also theState of the Teutonic Orderand theGrand Duchy of Lithuaniawere mighty neighbours.

Lands held by the Piast dynasty (992–1025), with a shaded area corresponding to the territory of present-day Poland

The Piast position was decisively enfeebled by an era of fragmentation following the 1138Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth.For nearly 150 years, the Polish state shattered into several duchies, with the Piast duke against the formally valid principle ofagnatic seniorityfighting for the throne atKraków,the capital of the Lesser PolishSeniorate Province.Numerous dukes likeMieszko III the Old,Władysław III SpindleshanksorLeszek I the Whitewere crowned, only to be overthrown shortly afterwards, and others restored and ousted, at times repeatedly. The senior branch of the Silesian Piasts, descendants ofBolesław III Wrymouth's eldest son DukeWładysław II the Exile,went separate ways and since the 14th century were vassals of theBohemian Crown.

After the Polish royal line and Piast junior branch had died out in 1370, the Polish crown fell to the Anjou kingLouis I of Hungary,son of late King Casimir's sisterElizabeth Piast.TheMasovianbranch of the Piasts became extinct with the death of DukeJanusz IIIin 1526. The last ruling duke of the Silesian Piasts wasGeorge William of Legnicawho died in 1675. His uncle CountAugust of Legnica,the last male Piast, died in 1679. The last legitimate heir, DuchessKarolina of Legnica-Briegdied in 1707 and is buried inTrzebnica Abbey.Nevertheless, numerous families, like the illegitimate descendants of the Silesian dukeAdam Wenceslaus of Cieszyn(1574–1617), link their genealogy to the dynasty.

Coat of arms

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About 1295,Przemysł IIused a coat of arms with a whiteeagle[11]– a symbol later referred to as the Piast coat of arms or as thePiast Eagle.[12] TheSilesian Piastsin the 14th century used an eagle modified by a crescent, which became the coat of arms of theDuchy of Silesia.

Piast rulers

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Piast kings and rulers of Poland appear in list form in the following table. For a list of all rulers, seeList of Polish monarchs.

Legendary dukes of the Polans

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Chościsko
  • Latin:Semovit filius Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu
  • Duke
7th century7th century8th centuryA legendary member of thePolans tribePolans(Tribe)
Piast the Wheelwright
  • Polish:Piast Kołodziej
    Latin:Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu
  • Duke
8th century8th century9th centuryA legendary ruler of thePolans
Son of Chościsko, father of Siemowit
Founder of the Piast dynasty
Piast
Siemowit
  • Ziemowit
  • Duke
9th century9th century9th centuryA semi-legendary ruler of thePolans,son ofPiast the WheelwrightandRzepichaPiast
Lestek
  • Leszek, Lestko
  • Duke
9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuriesA semi-legendary ruler of thePolans,son of SiemowitPiast
Siemomysł
  • Ziemomysł
  • Duke
10th century10th century10th centuryA semi-legendary ruler of thePolans,son of LestekPiast

Dukes and Kings of Poland

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Mieszko I of Poland
  • Duke
ca. 940 – 25 May 992ca. 960992Son of Siemomysł
First Christian monarch
Misico, dux Wandalorum
Piast
Bolesław I the Brave
  • Bolesław I the Great
    Polish:Bolesław I Chrobry (Wielki)
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
967 – 17 June 1025Duke: 992
King: 18 April 1025
Duke: 18 April 1025
King: 17 June 1025
Son of Mieszko I andDobrawa of Bohemia
First to be crowned King
Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive Polonorum
Piast
Mieszko II Lambert
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
ca. 990 – 10/11 May 103410251031Son of Bolesław I andEmnilda of LusatiaPiast
Bezprym
  • Duke
ca. 986 – 103210311032Son of Bolesław I andJudith of Hungary(disputed)Piast
Otto Bolesławowic
  • Duke
1000–103310321032Son of Bolesław I and EmnildaPiast
Theodorick
  • Dytryk
  • Duke
after 992 – after 103210321032 /1033Grandson of Mieszko I andOda of HaldenslebenPiast
Mieszko II Lambert
  • Duke
ca. 990 – 10/11 May 103410321034RestoredPiast
Bolesław the Forgotten
  • Polish:Bolesław Zapomniany
  • Duke
before 1016 – 1038 or 103910341038 /1039Semi-legendary, existence disputedPiast
Casimir I the Restorer
  • Polish:Kazimierz I Odnowiciel
  • Duke
(1016-06-25)25 June 1016 – 28 November 1058(1058-11-28)(aged 42)10391058Son of Mieszko II andRicheza of LotharingiaPiast
Bolesław II the Bold
  • Polish:Bolesław II Szczodry / Śmiały
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
ca. 1041 or 1042 – 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082Duke: 1058
King: 1076
Duke: 1076
King: 1079
Son of Kazimierz I andMaria Dobroniega of KievPiast
Władysław I Herman
  • Duke
ca. 1044 – 4 June 110210791102Son of Kazimierz I and Maria DobroniegaPiast
Zbigniew
  • Zbygniew
  • Duke
ca. 1073 – 8 July 111311021107Son of Władysław I and Przecława ofPrawdzic coat of arms(disputed)
First jointly with Władysław I 1098–1102
Piast
Bolesław III Wrymouth
  • Polish:Bolesław III Krzywousty
  • Duke
(1086-08-20)20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138(1138-10-28)(aged 52)11071138Son of Władysław I andJudith of Bohemia
First jointly with Władysław 1098–1102
Introducedsenioral principle
Piast

High Dukes of Poland (Fragmentation of the Kingdom)

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław II the Exile
  • Polish:Władysław II Wygnaniec
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
1105 – 30 May 115911381146Son of Bolesław III andZbyslava of Kiev
Also Duke of Silesia
Exiled by his brothers
Piast
Bolesław IV the Curly
  • Polish:Bolesław Kędzierzawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1125 – 5 January 117311461173Son of Bolesław III andSalomea of Berg
Also Duke of Masovia
Piast
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish:Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211731177Son of Bolesław III and Salomea
Also Duke of Greater Poland
Piast
Casimir II the Just
  • Polish:Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1138 – 5 May 119411771190Son of Bolesław III and Salomea
Also Duke of Wiślica and Sandomierz
Piast
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish:Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211901190RestoredPiast
Casimir II the Just
  • Polish:Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1138 – 5 May 119411901194RestoredPiast
Leszek I the White
  • Polish:Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122711941198Son of Casimir II andHelen of Znojmo
Also Duke of Sandomierz
Piast
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish:Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211981199RestoredPiast
Leszek I the White
  • Polish:Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122711991199RestoredPiast
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish:Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211991202RestoredPiast
Władysław III Spindleshanks
  • Polish:Władysław III Laskonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 123112021202Son of Mieszko III andEudoxia of Kiev
Also Duke of Greater Poland
Piast
Leszek I the White
  • Polish:Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712021210RestoredPiast
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
  • Polish:Mieszko I Plątonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1130 – 16 May 121112101211Son of Władysław II andAgnes of Babenberg
Also Duke of Silesia
Piast
Leszek I the White
  • Polish:Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712111225RestoredPiast
Henryk I the Bearded
  • Polish:Henryk I Brodaty
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1165 – 19 March 123812251225Grandson of Władysław II, son ofBolesław I the Talland Krystyna
Also Duke of Silesia
Piast
Leszek I the White
  • Polish:Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712251227Restored
Assassinated
Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks
  • Polish:Władysław III Laskonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 123112271229RestoredPiast
Konrad I of Masovia
  • Polish:Konrad I Mazowiecki
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 124712291232Son of Kazimierz II and Helen of Znojmo
Also Duke of Masovia
Piast
Henryk I the Bearded
  • Polish:Henryk I Brodaty
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1165 – 19 March 123812321238RestoredPiast
Henryk II the Pious
  • Polish:Henryk II Pobożny
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1196 – 9 April 124112381241Son of Henry I and SaintHedwig of Andechs(Saint Hedwig of Silesia)
Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland
Fell atBattle of Legnica
Piast
Bolesław II Rogatka
  • Bolesław II the Horned
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1220 – 122512411241Son of Henry II andAnne of Bohemia
Also Duke of Silesia
Piast
Konrad I of Masovia
  • Polish:Konrad I Mazowiecki
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 124712411243RestoredPiast
Bolesław V the Chaste
  • Polish:Bolesław Wstydliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
21 June 1226 – 7 December 127912431279Son of Leszek the White andGrzymislawa of LuckPiast
Leszek II the Black
  • Polish:Leszek Czarny
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1241 – 30 September 128812791288Paternal grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Maternal grandson of Henry II
Son ofCasimir I of KuyaviaandConstance of Wrocław
Piast
Bolesław II of Masovia
  • Boleslaw II of Płock
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1251 – 20 April 131312881288Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Duke of Masovia
Piast
Henryk IV Probus
  • Polish:Henryk IV Prawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 129012881289Paternal grandson of Henryk II
Maternal grandson of Konrad I
Son ofHenry III the Whiteand Judyta of Masovia
Duke of Lower Silesia
Piast
Bolesław II of Masovia
  • Boleslaw II of Płock
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1251 – 20 April 131312891289RestoredPiast
Władysław I the Elbow-high
  • Polish:Władysław I Łokietek
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
1261 – 2 March 133312891289Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia andEuphrosyne of Opole
Piast
Henryk IV Probus
  • Polish:Henryk IV Prawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 129012891290RestoredPiast

Kings of Poland (Reunification attempts)

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Przemysł II
  • Premyslas, Premislaus
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
(1257-10-14)14 October 1257 – 8 February 1296(1296-02-08)(aged 38)High Duke: 1290
King: 1295
High Duke: 1291
King: 1296
Grandson of Henryk II
Son ofPrzemysł IandElisabeth of Wrocław
Also Duke of Poznań, Greater Poland and Pomerania
Piastr

Kings of Poland (Reunited Kingdom)

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław I the Elbow-high
  • Polish:Władysław I Łokietek
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
1261 – 2 March 133313201333Restored
Re-united the Kingdom of Poland
Piast
Casimir III the Great
  • Polish:Kazimierz III Wielki
  • King of Poland
    King of Poland
    King
(1310-04-30)30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370(1370-11-05)(aged 60)13331370Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high andJadwiga of Kalisz
Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs
Piast

Female Piasts

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Queens consort

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Denar Princes Polonie,11th century (in the times ofBolesław I the Brave), one of the most recognizable coins in the history of Polish coinage.

Other

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Priesthood

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Archbishops

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Bishops

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Family tree of Piasts

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Chościsko
Piast the Wheelwright
HOUSE OF PIAST
Siemowit
duke of Polans
Lestek
duke of Polans
Siemomysł
duke of Polans
Mieszko I of Poland
duke of Poland
Czcibor
prince

Bolesław I the Brave
king of Poland
Vladivoj
duke of Bohemia
Mieszko I
prince
Świętopełk
prince
Lambert
prince
Bezprym
duke of Poland

Mieszko II Lambert
king of Poland
Otto
prince
Dytryk
prince
Bolesław the Forgotten
duke of Poland
Casimir I the Restorer
duke of Poland

Bolesław II the Generous
king of Poland
Władysław I Herman
duke of Poland
Mieszko
prince
Mieszko
prince of Cracow
Zbigniew
prince
Bolesław III Wrymouth
duke of Poland
Władysław II the Exile
duke of Silesia
BRANCH OF SILESIA
Bolesław IV the Curly
high duke of Poland
Mieszko III the Old
duke of Greater Poland
BRANCH OF
GREATER POLAND
Henry
duke of Sandomierz
Casimir II the Just
duke of Masovia
BRANCH OF LESSER POLAND
Leszek
duke of Masovia
Odon
duke of Greater Poland
Stephen
prince
Mieszko the Younger
duke of Kalisz
Władysław III Spindleshanks
duke of Greater Poland
Leszek the White
duke of Sandomierz
Konrad I
duke of Masovia
Władysław
duke of Greater Poland
Bolesław V the Chaste
duke of Sandomierz
Bolesław I
duke of Masovia
Casimir I
duke of Kuyavia
Siemowit I
duke of Masovia
BRANCH OF MASOVIA
Przemysl I
duke of Greater Poland
Bolesław the Pious
duke of Greater Poland
Leszek II the Black
duke of Sieradz
Ziemomysł
duke of Inowrocław

Władysław I the Elbow-high
king of Poland
Casimir II
duke of Łęczyca
Siemowit
duke of Dobrzyń
Konrad II
duke of Masovia
Bolesław II
duke of Masovia

Przemysł II
king of Poland
Leszek
duke of Inowrocław
Przemysł
duke of Inowrocław
Kazimierz III
duke of Inowrocław

Casimir III the Great
king of Poland
Leszek
duke of Dobrzyń
Władysław the Hunchback
duke of Dobrzyń
Bolesław
duke of Dobrzyń
Siemowit II
duke of Warsaw
Trojden I
duke of East Masovia
Wenceslaus
duke of Plock
Anna of Poland
William, Count of Celje
Bolesław-Jerzy II
king of Galicia-Volhynia
Siemowit III, Duke of Masovia
duke of Masovia
Casimir I
duke of Warsaw
Anna of Cilli

Władysław II Jagiełło
king of Poland
Janusz I
duke of Warsaw
Siemowit IV
duke of Plock
BRANCH OF PLOCK
Henry
bishop of Plock
Janusz the Younger
heir
Bolesław
heir
Konrad Januszowic
prince
Siemovit V
duke of Plock
Alexander
bishop of Trento
Casimir III
duke of Plock
Trojden II
duke of Plock
Wladysław I
duke of Plock
Boleslaw IV
duke of Warsaw
Siemovit VI
duke of Plock
Wladysław II
duke of Plock
Konrad III Rudy
duke of Warsaw
Casimir III
bishop of Plock
Bolesław V
duke of Plock
Janusz II
duke of Plock
Stanisław
duke of Warsaw
Janusz III
duke of Warsaw

See also

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Silesian Piasts Coat of Arms

References

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  1. ^A. Małecki, Studya heraldyczne [Heraldic Studies], vol. I, Lwów 1890, pp. 268–285; M. L. Wójcik, Ród Gryfitów do końca XIII wieku. Pochodzenie – genealogia – rozsiedlenie, Historia CVII, Wrocław 1993, p. 39.
  2. ^Rodowód książąt pomorskich Edward Rymar Książnica Pomorska, 2005, page 53
  3. ^"FamilyTreeDNA – Genetic Testing for Ancestry, Family History & Genealogy".familytreedna.Retrieved22 June2019.
  4. ^Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul (28 October 2013).Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places.Routledge.ISBN9781136639517.
  5. ^Ulwencreutz, Lars (2013).Ulwencreutz's the Royal Families in Europe.Lulu. p. 191.ISBN9781304581358.
  6. ^Encyklopedia Powszechna PWN Warsaw 1975 vol. III p. 505
  7. ^"Piast Dynasty".Encyclopædia Britannica.Retrieved30 March2011.The name Piast was not applied to the dynasty until the 17th century.
  8. ^Juliusz Bardach (1957).Historia państwa i prawa Polski do roku 1795: Bardach, J. Historia państwa i prawa Polski do połowy XV wieku.Państwowe Wydawn. Naukowe. p. 68.
  9. ^Jacek Hertel (1980).Imiennictwo dynastii piastowskiej we wcześniejszym średniowieczu.Państwowe Wydawn. Naukowe. pp. 31, 160.ISBN978-83-01-01662-3.
  10. ^"Gniezno czy Giecz, czyli skąd pochodzi dynastia?".Gniezno czy Giecz, czyli skąd pochodzi dynastia? – Gniezno czy Giecz, czyli skąd pochodzi dynastia? – Wydarzenia – Wiedza – Historia Poszukaj.Retrieved22 June2019.
  11. ^Tomaney, William."Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown".Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown.Retrieved9 May2019.
  12. ^ Górczyk, Wojciech, "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów"http://histmag.org/?id=3057&act=ac[clarification needed][year needed]
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