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.

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

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

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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

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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.[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, and others restored and ousted, at times repeatedly. 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

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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

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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

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Chościsko
  • Latin: Semovit filius Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu
  • Duke
7th century7th century8th centuryA legendary member of the Polans tribePolans (Tribe) 
Piast the Wheelwright
  • Polish: Piast Kołodziej
    Latin: Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu
  • Duke
8th century8th century9th centuryA legendary ruler of the Polans
Son of Chościsko, father of Siemowit
Founder of the Piast dynasty
Piast 
Siemowit
  • Ziemowit
  • Duke
9th century9th century9th centuryA semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Piast the Wheelwright and RzepichaPiast 
Lestek
  • Leszek, Lestko
  • Duke
9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuriesA semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of SiemowitPiast 
Siemomysł
  • Ziemomysł
  • Duke
10th century10th century10th centuryA semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, 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
967 – 17 June 1025Duke: 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 103410251031Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda of LusatiaPiast 
Bezprym
  • Duke
ca. 986 – 103210311032Son of Bolesław I and Judith 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 and Oda 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 and Richeza of LotharingiaPiast 
Bolesław II the Bold
  • Polish: Bolesław II Szczodry / Śmiały
  •  
    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 and Maria 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 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)11071138Son 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)

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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 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 117311461173Son 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 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 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 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 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 122712021210RestoredPiast 
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
  • Polish: Mieszko I Plątonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1130 – 16 May 121112101211Son 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 122712111225RestoredPiast 
Henryk I the Bearded
  • Polish: Henryk I Brodaty
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1165 – 19 March 123812251225Grandson 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 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 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 – 122512411241Son 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 124712411243RestoredPiast 
Bolesław V the Chaste
  • Polish: Bolesław Wstydliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
21 June 1226 – 7 December 127912431279Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa 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 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 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 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 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 and Euphrosyne 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
(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)

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NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław I the Elbow-high
  • Polish: Władysław I Łokietek
  •  
    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
(1310-04-30)30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370(1370-11-05) (aged 60)13331370Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga 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 of Bolesław 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". 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.
  5. ^ Ulwencreutz, Lars (2013). Ulwencreutz's the Royal Families in Europe. Lulu.com. p. 191. ISBN 9781304581358.
  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. ^ 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. ISBN 978-83-01-01662-3.
  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. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  11. ^ Tomaney, William. "Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown". Poland Today » White eagle regains its crown. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  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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