Piast dynasty

Piast
Piast
Country	Duchy/Kingdom of Poland; Duchies of Masovia; Duchies of Silesia; Duchy of Bohemia; Galicia–Volhynia;
Founded	c. 9th century
Founder	Piast the Wheelwright (legendary); Mieszko I of Poland (historical)
Final ruler	Casimir III the Great (Kingdom of Poland); Yuri II Boleslav (Galicia-Volhynia); Janusz III (Masovia); George IV William of Legnica (Silesia)
Titles	Duke of the Polans (c. 9th century – 966); Duke of Poland (966–1025, 1031–1076, 1082–1138); King of Poland (1025–1031, 1076–1082, 1295–1296, 1320–1370); High Duke of Poland (1138-1227); Duke of Kraków (1227–1291, 1306–1320); Duke of Bohemia (1003–1004); Duke of Galicia-Volhynia (1325–1340); Duke of Silesia (1138–1675); Duke of Masovia (1138–1526); Duke of Greater Poland (1138–1295); Duke of Kuyavia (1233–1364); Duke of Sandomierz; Duke of Sieradz-Łęczyca;
Dissolution	1388 (outside Silesia and Masovia); 1675 (male); 1707 (female)
Branches	Silesian Piasts, the agnatically senior and later last surviving branch of the dynasty; Masovian Piasts (dissolved in 1526); House of Griffins (uncertain);

The House of Piast was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland.^[3] The first documented Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I (c. 960–992).^[4] The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of King Casimir III the Great.

Branches of the Piast dynasty continued to rule in the Duchy of Masovia (until 1526) 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 ruling after the death of Casimir IV of Poland 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.^[8]^[9]

History

The first "Piasts", probably of Polan descent, appeared around 940 in the territory of Greater Poland at the stronghold of Giecz.^[10] Shortly afterwards they relocated their residence to Gniezno, where Prince Mieszko I ruled over the Civitas Schinesghe from about 960. The Piasts temporarily also ruled over Pomerania, Bohemia and the Lusatias, as well as part of 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.

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 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

About 1295, Przemysł II used a coat of arms with a white eagle^[11] – a symbol later referred to as the Piast coat of arms or as the Piast Eagle.^[12] 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.

Legendary dukes of the Polans

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family
Chościsko Latin: Semovit filius Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu Duke	7th century	7th century	8th century	A legendary member of the Polans tribe	Polans (Tribe)
Piast the Wheelwright Polish: Piast Kołodziej Latin: Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu Duke	8th century	8th 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
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
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

Queens consort

Świętosława, supposed 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

Other

Karolina of Legnica-Brieg, last legitimate member of the entire dynasty, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg

Priesthood

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 Elder – 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

Stanisław
duke of Warsaw

Janusz III
duke of Warsaw

References

^ 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.
^ Rodowód książąt pomorskich Edward Rymar Książnica Pomorska, 2005, page 53
^ "FamilyTreeDNA – Genetic Testing for Ancestry, Family History & Genealogy". www.familytreedna.com. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
^ Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul (28 October 2013). Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. ISBN 9781136639517.
^ Ulwencreutz, Lars (2013). Ulwencreutz's the Royal Families in Europe. Lulu.com. p. 191. ISBN 9781304581358.
^ Encyklopedia Powszechna PWN Warsaw 1975 vol. III p. 505
^ "Piast Dynasty". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 30 March 2011. The name Piast was not applied to the dynasty until the 17th century.
^ 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.
^ Jacek Hertel (1980). Imiennictwo dynastii piastowskiej we wcześniejszym średniowieczu. Państwowe Wydawn. Naukowe. pp. 31, 160. ISBN 978-83-01-01662-3.
^ "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.
^ Tomaney, William. "Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown". Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
^ Górczyk, Wojciech, "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" http://histmag.org/?id=3057&act=ac ^{[clarification needed]}^{[year needed]}