Piast dynasty

The Piast dynasty was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland.[3] The first documented Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I (c. 930–992).[4] The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir III the Great.

This article is about a Polish dynasty. For other uses, see Piast (disambiguation).

Piast
Country	Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Duchy of Mazovia Duchy of Silesia Duchies of Silesia Duchy of Bohemia
Founded	960
Founder	semi-legendary Piast the Wheelwright
Final ruler	Casimir the Great, in the Kingdom of Poland, and George IV William of Legnica, in the Silesian duchies
Titles	King of Poland King of Rus Duke of the Polans Duke of Poland Duke of Krakow Duke of Kuyavia Duke of Mazovia Duke of Sandomierz Duke of Greater Poland Duke of Silesia Duke of Sieradz-Łęczyca Duke of Bohemia
Dissolution	1370, in the Kingdom of Poland, and 1675, in the Duchies of Silesia
Cadet branches	Silesian Piasts, the agnatically senior and later last surviving branch of the dynasty House of Griffins[1][2]

Branches of the Piast dynasty continued to rule in the Duchy of Masovia and in the Duchies of Silesia until the last male Silesian Piast died in 1675. The Piasts intermarried with several noble lines of Europe, and possessed numerous titles, some within the Holy Roman Empire. The Jagiellonian kings after John I Albert were also descended in the female line from Casimir III's daughter.

Origin of the name

The early dukes and kings of Poland are said to have regarded themselves as descendants of the semi-legendary Piast the Wheelwright (Piast Kołodziej),[5] first mentioned in the Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum (Chronicles and deeds of the dukes or princes of the Poles), written c. 1113 by Gallus 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 historian Adam Naruszewicz, it is not documented in contemporary sources.

History

Main article: History of Poland during the Piast dynasty

Deeds of the Princes of the Poles

The first "Piasts", probably of Polan descent, appeared around 940 in the territory of Greater Poland at the stronghold of Giecz.[8] Shortly afterwards they relocated their residence to Gniezno, where Prince Mieszko I ruled over the Civitas Schinesghe from about 960. The name Polani, from Slavic: pole ("field"), did not appear until 1015. The Piasts temporarily also ruled over Pomerania, Bohemia and the Lusatias, as well as Ruthenia, and the Hungarian Spiš region in present-day Slovakia. The ruler bore the title of a duke or a king, 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 Restorer or Władysław I Herman trying to protect the Polish state by treaties, oath of allegiances and marriage alliances with the Imperial Ottonian and Salian dynasties. The Bohemian Přemyslid dynasty, the Hungarian Arpads and their Anjou successors, the Kievan Rus', later also the State of the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were mighty neighbours.

Wawel Castle has been the seat of Polish kings for centuries

The Piast position was decisively enfeebled by an era of fragmentation following the 1138 Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth. For nearly 150 years, the Polish state shattered into several duchies, with the Piast duke against the formally valid principle of agnatic seniority fighting for the throne at Kraków, the capital of the Lesser Polish Seniorate Province. Numerous dukes like Mieszko III the Old, Władysław III Spindleshanks or Leszek I the White were crowned, only to be overthrown shortly afterwards. The senior branch of the Silesian Piasts, descendants of Bolesław III Wrymouth's eldest son Duke Władysław II the Exile, went separate ways and since the 14th century were vassals of the Bohemian Crown.

After the Polish royal line and Piast junior branch had died out in 1370, the Polish crown fell to the Anjou king Louis I of Hungary, son of late King Casimir's sister Elizabeth Piast. The Masovian branch of the Piasts became extinct with the death of Duke Janusz III in 1526. The last ruling duke of the Silesian Piasts was George William of Legnica who died in 1675. His uncle Count August of Legnica, the last male Piast, died in 1679. The last legitimate heir, Duchess Karolina of Legnica-Brieg died in 1707 and is buried in Trzebnica Abbey. Nevertheless, numerous families, like the illegitimate descendants of the Silesian duke Adam Wenceslaus of Cieszyn (1574–1617), link their genealogy to the dynasty.

Coat of arms

Further information: Coat of arms of the Czech Republic and Coat of arms of Poland

About 1295, Przemysł II used a coat of arms with a white eagle[9] – a symbol later referred to as the Piast coat of arms or as the Piast Eagle.[10] The Silesian Piasts in the 14th century used an eagle modified by a crescent, which became the coat of arms of the Duchy of Silesia.

Piast rulers

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

Dukes of the Polans

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Chościsko Latin: Semovit filius Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu Duke	9th century	9th century	9th century	A legendary ruler of the Polans, father of Piast the Wheelwright	Polans (Tribe)
Piast the Wheelwright Polish: Piast Kołodziej Latin: Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu Duke	9th century	9th century	9th century	A legendary ruler of the Polans Son of Chościsko, father of Siemowit Founder of the Piast dynasty	Piast
Siemowit Ziemowit Duke	9th century	9th century	9th century	A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha	Piast
Lestek Leszek, Lestko Duke	9th / 10th centuries	9th / 10th centuries	9th / 10th centuries	A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Siemowit	Piast
Siemomysł Ziemomysł Duke	10th century	10th century	10th century	A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Lestek	Piast

Dukes and Kings of Poland

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Mieszko I of Poland Duke	ca. 940 – 25 May 992	ca. 960	992	Son 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	967 – 17 June 1025	Duke: 992 King: 18 April 1025	Duke: 18 April 1025 King: 17 June 1025	Son of Mieszko I and Dobrawa of Bohemia First to be crowned King Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive Polonorum	Piast
Mieszko II Lambert King of Poland King	ca. 990 – 10/11 May 1034	1025	1031	Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda of Lusatia	Piast
Bezprym Duke	ca. 986 – 1032	1031	1032	Son of Bolesław I and Judith of Hungary (disputed)	Piast
Otto Bolesławowic Duke	1000 – 1033	1032	1032	Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda	Piast
Theodorick Dytryk Duke	after 992 - after 1032	1032	1032 /1033	Grandson of Mieszko I and Oda of Haldensleben	Piast
Mieszko II Lambert Duke	ca. 990 – 10/11 May 1034	1032	1034	Restored	Piast
Bolesław the Forgotten Polish: Bolesław Zapomniany Duke	before 1016 – 1038 or 1039	1034	1038 /1039	Semi-legendary, existence disputed	Piast
Casimir I the Restorer Polish: Kazimierz I Odnowiciel Duke	(1016-06-25)25 June 1016 – 28 November 1058(1058-11-28) (aged 42)	1039	1058	Son of Mieszko II and Richeza of Lotharingia	Piast
Bolesław II the Bold Polish: Bolesław II Szczodry / Śmiały King of Poland King	ca. 1041 or 1042 – 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082	Duke: 1058 King: 1076	Duke: 1076 King: 1079	Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev	Piast
Władysław I Herman Duke	ca. 1044 – 4 June 1102	1079	1102	Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega	Piast
Zbigniew Zbygniew Duke	ca. 1073 – 8 July 1113	1102	1107	Son of Władysław I and Przecława of Prawdzic 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)	1107	1138	Son of Władysław I and Judith of Bohemia First jointly with Władysław 1098-1102 Introduced senioral principle	Piast

High Dukes of Poland (Fragmentation of the Kingdom)

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Władysław II the Exile Polish: Władysław II Wygnaniec High Duke Supreme Prince	1105 – 30 May 1159	1138	1146	Son of Bolesław III and Zbyslava 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 1173	1146	1173	Son of Bolesław III and Salomea of Berg Also Duke of Masovia	Piast
Mieszko III the Old Polish: Mieszko III Stary High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202	1173	1177	Son 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 1194	1177	1190	Son 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 1202	1190	1190	Restored	Piast
Casimir II the Just Polish: Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1138 – 5 May 1194	1190	1194	Restored	Piast
Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227	1194	1198	Son of Casimir II and Helen of Znojmo Also Duke of Sandomierz	Piast
Mieszko III the Old Polish: Mieszko III Stary High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202	1198	1199	Restored	Piast
Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227	1199	1199	Restored	Piast
Mieszko III the Old Polish: Mieszko III Stary High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202	1199	1202	Restored	Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 1231	1202	1202	Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev Also Duke of Greater Poland	Piast
Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227	1202	1210	Restored	Piast
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot Polish: Mieszko I Plątonogi High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1130 – 16 May 1211	1210	1211	Son of Władysław II and Agnes of Babenberg Also Duke of Silesia	Piast
Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227	1211	1225	Restored	Piast
Henryk I the Bearded Polish: Henryk I Brodaty High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1165 – 19 March 1238	1225	1225	Grandson of Władysław II, son of Bolesław I the Tall and Krystyna Also Duke of Silesia	Piast
Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227	1225	1227	Restored Assassinated	Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 1231	1227	1229	Restored	Piast
Konrad I of Masovia Polish: Konrad I Mazowiecki High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247	1229	1232	Son 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 1238	1232	1238	Restored	Piast
Henryk II the Pious Polish: Henryk II Pobożny High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1196 – 9 April 1241	1238	1241	Son of Henry I and Saint Hedwig of Andechs (Saint Hedwig of Silesia) Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland Fell at Battle of Legnica	Piast
Bolesław II Rogatka Bolesław II the Horned High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1220 – 1225	1241	1241	Son of Henry II and Anne of Bohemia Also Duke of Silesia	Piast
Konrad I of Masovia Polish: Konrad I Mazowiecki High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247	1241	1243	Restored	Piast
Bolesław V the Chaste Polish: Bolesław Wstydliwy High Duke Supreme Prince	21 June 1226 – 7 December 1279	1243	1279	Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa of Luck	Piast
Leszek II the Black Polish: Leszek Czarny High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1241 – 30 September 1288	1279	1288	Paternal grandson of Konrad I of Masovia Maternal grandson of Henry II Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław	Piast
Bolesław II of Masovia Boleslaw II of Płock High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1251 – 20 April 1313	1288	1288	Grandson 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 1290	1288	1289	Paternal grandson of Henryk II Maternal grandson of Konrad I Son of Henry III the White and Judyta of Masovia Duke of Lower Silesia	Piast
Bolesław II of Masovia Boleslaw II of Płock High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1251 – 20 April 1313	1289	1289	Restored	Piast
Władysław I the Elbow-high Polish: Władysław I Łokietek High Duke Supreme Prince	1261 – 2 March 1333	1289	1289	Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia and Euphrosyne of Opole	Piast
Henryk IV Probus Polish: Henryk IV Prawy High Duke Supreme Prince	ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 1290	1289	1290	Restored	Piast

Kings of Poland (Reunification attempts)

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Przemysł II Premyslas, Premislaus 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 of Przemysł I and Elisabeth of Wrocław Also Duke of Poznań, Greater Poland and Pomerania	Piast

Kings of Poland (Reunited Kingdom)

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Władysław I the Elbow-high Polish: Władysław I Łokietek King of Poland King	1261 – 2 March 1333	1320	1333	Restored Re-united the Kingdom of Poland	Piast
Casimir III the Great Polish: Kazimierz III Wielki King of Poland King	(1310-04-30)30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370(1370-11-05) (aged 60)	1333	1370	Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs	Piast

Female Piasts

Queen consorts

Denar Princes Polonie, 11th century (in the times of Bolesław I Chrobry), one of the most famous coins in the history of Polish coinage.

• Świętosława, daughter of Mieszko I of Poland, Queen consort of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England, mother of Cnut the Great, King of all England, Denmark and Norway
• Świętosława of Poland, daughter of Casimir I the Restorer, Queen consort of Bohemia
• Richeza of Poland, Queen of Sweden, daughter of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Queen consort of Sweden, mother of Canute V of Denmark, King of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk, Queen consort of Denmark
• Richeza of Poland, Queen of Castile, daughter of Władysław II the Exile, Queen consort of León and Galicia, Queen consort of Castile, Empress of All Spains
• Salomea of Poland, daughter of Leszek I the White, Queen consort of Halych
• Fenenna of Kuyavia, daughter of Ziemomysł of Kuyavia, Queen consort of Hungary
• Elizabeth Richeza of Poland, daughter of Przemysł II, Queen consort of Poland and Bohemia
• Viola of Cieszyn, daughter of Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn, Queen consort of Hungary, Bohemia and Poland
• Maria of Bytom, daughter of Casimir of Bytom, Queen consort of Hungary
• Beatrice of Silesia, daughter of Bolko I the Strict, Queen of the Romans
• Hedwig of Kalisz, daughter of Bolesław the Pious, Queen consort of Poland, mother of Casimir III the Great King of Poland and Elizabeth of Poland Queen consort of Hungary
• Elizabeth of Poland, daughter of Władysław I the Elbow-high, Queen consort of Hungary, mother of Louis I, King of Poland, Hungary and Croatia and Charles I of Hungary, King of Hungary and Croatia
• Anna of Świdnica, daughter of Henry II, Duke of Świdnica, Queen consort of Germany, of Bohemia and Holy Roman Empress, mother of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, King of the Romans and of Bohemia
• Hedwig of Sagan, daughter of Henry V of Iron, Queen consort of Poland

Priesthood

Poland in the times of the Piast dynasty (992-1025)

Archbishops

• Bolesław of Toszek – Archbishop of Esztergom
• Władysław of Wroclaw – Archbishop of Salzburg

Bishops

• Jarosław of Opole – Bishop of Wrocław
• Mieszko of Bytom – Bishop of Nitra and of Veszprém
• Henry of Masovia – Bishop of Płock
• Jan Kropidło – Bishop of Poznań, Włocławek, Kamień and Chełmno, Archbishop of Gniezno (only formally)
• Wenceslaus II of Legnica – Bishop of Lebus and of Wrocław
• Henry VIII of Legnica – Bishop of Wrocław
• Konrad IV the Older – Bishop of Wrocław
• Alexander of Masovia – Bishop of Trento
• Casimir III of Płock – Bishop of Płock

Family tree of Piasts

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

Stanislav duke of Warsaw

Janus III duke of Warsaw

See also

Silesian Piasts Coat of Arms

• Kings of Poland family tree
• List of Polish rulers
• Dukes of Silesia
• Silesian Piasts
• Dukes of Masovia
• Dukes of Greater Poland
• Dukes of Teschen
• Dukes of Leczyca
• Dukes of Sieradz
• Category:House of Piast
• Wawel Castle
• Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
• Duchy of Bohemia
• King of Poland
• King of Rus'
• Duke of the Polans
• Duke of Poland
• Duke of Krakow
• Duke of Kuyavia
• Duke of Sandomierz
• Duke of Sieradz-Łęczyca
• Duke of Bohemia

References

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". www.familytreedna.com. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
4. Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul (28 October 2013). Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. ISBN 9781136639517. Retrieved 22 June 2019 – via Google Books.
5. Ulwencreutz, Lars (1 November 2013). Ulwencreutz's The Royal Families in Europe V. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781304581358. Retrieved 22 June 2019 – via Google Books.
6. Encyklopedia Powszechna PWN Warsaw 1975 vol. III p. 505
7. "Piast Dynasty". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 30 March 2011. The name Piast was not applied to the dynasty until the 17th century.
8. "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. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
9. Tomaney, William. "Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown". Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
10. Górczyk, Wojciech, "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" http://histmag.org/?id=3057&act=ac

External links

• Dukes of Kraków, Princes of Poland, Collier's