European Kingdoms

Mazovia (Piast Dynasty) (Poland)

Polish States All Modern States Central Europe Hessian States Saxon States The Rus / Old Russia

The Western Polans were a West Slavic tribe which migrated into what is now Poland in the sixth to eighth centuries AD. Initially they appear to have dominated the neighbouring Goplans in Early Poland, but very soon they had also subjugated the other West Slavic tribes in the region. This included the eastern region of Mazovia, adopted homeland of the West Slavic Masovians.

Mieszko Piast became the first documented ruler of a duchy of Poland when he accepted Christianity into the newly created state in AD 966. At this time, the Polish state encompassed territory which was similar to that of modern Poland, but without many of the northern regions which were still tribal.

The duchy could, on occasions, also refer to itself as a kingdom, albeit on a personal basis for several rulers rather than in terms of an elevated state, as each king needed to be able to claim domination of various, often rebellious, Polish sub-states, Mazovia included.

Mazovia was an eastern borderland territory which also encompassed western-central parts of Prussia. As one of a series of small states in the region it was probably formed in the ninth or tenth century, contemporaneously with the formation of the Western Polans state on its western flank.

The territory also incorporated elements of a Western Baltic tribe called the Galindians which, for some two millennia, had occupied Masuria and the northern fringes of Mazovia. In previous centuries the well-equipped cavalry of the southern Baltic tribes, especially it must be assumed the Galindians and the neighbouring Yotvingians, served to prevent Slavs from penetrating into Baltic lands, but by the eighth and ninth centuries the Slavs were becoming an increasingly powerful threat to them.

Until the arrival of the Teutonic Knights, the Prussian region of Chełmno (known by the Germans as Culmerland or Kulmerland) was a disputed part of Mazovia, a south-western tip of territory which was encircled by the River Vistula to the west and the Drewenz to the east.

Poland was declared a kingdom on at least two occasions by its great princes, and the throne was occupied for a time by Bohemian kings on a third occasion but, for the most part, the great princes ruled as dukes of Poland in between periods of confusion and counter-claims of possession of the ducal throne - until 1370 when a new dynasty took control of a fully-fledged 'Kingdom of Poland'.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information by Krzysiek Popończyk, from The Russian Primary Chronicle (Laurentian Text), Samuel Hazzard Cross & Olgerd P Sherbowitz-Wetzor (Eds and translators, Mediaeval Academy of America), from A History of Poland from its Foundation, M Ross, from Geography, Ptolemy, from The Earliest Icelandic Chronicle of the Norwegian Kings (1030-1157), Theodore Murdock Andersson & Kari Ellen Gade Morkinskinna, from The History of the Baltic Countries, Zigmantas Kiaupa, Ain Mäesalu, Ago Pajur, & Gvido Straube (Eds, Estonia 2008), and from External Link: The Forgotten Kingdom of Lechia (the argument for the mythical 'Kingdom of Lechia').)

966

Having formed a unified Polish state out of Western Polans territories, one which includes the Masovians and areas of Pomerania around the Odra (which his son fails to hold onto), Mieszko I accepts baptism, followed by the building of churches and the establishment of an ecclesiastical hierarchy. Partially this drive is to provide a unifying force for the Polish people.

The Baptism of Poland, by Jan Matejko in 1888-1889, portrays a romanticised version of the acceptance of Christianity by Duke Mieszko on behalf of his people in 966

992

The period in which Polish King Bolesław succeeds to the ducal throne is a confused one, but he is undisputed ruler of Poland in 992 (Greater Poland, Mazovia, Kuiavia, and parts of Pomerania, forming something close to the modern Polish territory).

1032

Poland is partitioned three ways, with Mieszko II probably in Great Poland, Mazovia, and Kuiavia. This possibly represents the first true division of Polish territory since its unification by AD 992. The partition is brief - Mieszko has restored his control over all of it by 1033.

1032 - 1034

Prince of Poland.

1034 - 1038

The rule of Poland becomes confusing and may cease entirely between these dates, leaving no overall authority coordinating the minor duchies.

The bishopric in Płock was founded about 1075, but the present cathedral was built after 1129, replacing one which existed by 1102

The Polish 'state' collapses into anarchy around 1037 and/or 1038. The Pagan Rebellion involves many minor princes, none of whose names or territories are known, except for Mieclaw of Mazovia, who tries to establish his own independent state.

c.1037 - 1047

Attempted rule in Mazovia. The cup-bearer of Mieszko II.

1039

In summer 1039, Kazimierz I Karol Odnowiciel, 'the Restorer', gains control of Greater Poland and Kuiavia, gaining with it the title of prince of Poland. As a result of the extensive raiding and the destruction of Gniezno by Duke Brestislav I of Bohemia, Kazimierz I moves the Polish capital to Krakow and soon gains control of Lesser Poland.

1040/1041

Kazimierz I gains control of Mazovia, uniting it with his growing Polish state. The fate of Mieclaw is unknown (murder or death in battle are both suggested), but it is probable that he or his successor remains in place as a duke paying homage to the prince of Poland.

The death of Yaroslav 'the Wise' in 1054 saw the end of the descent of Rurikid power via agnatic seniority. His division of the succession weakened Kyiv by creating what soon turned out to be rival principalities for each of his sons (click or tap on map to view full sized)

Documented princes of Mazovia are patchy between here and 1138, making it unclear whether or not there is a recognised and permanent prince of the region.

1058 - 1079

Probably sub-prince in Mazovia. King of Poland (1079).

1080 - 1102

Shortly after Prince Wladyslaw I Herman of Mazovia becomes king of Poland, the capital is moved to Płock in Mazovia, perhaps in order to better maintain a firm grip on the rebellious territory or simply because the king feels more comfortable there. This town remains the Polish capital until 1138.

Wladyslaw remains in direct command of Mazovia as well as Poland until his abdication and death in 1102. He dies without having resolved a somewhat tricky successional issue. The result is that the half-brothers, Zbigniew and Bolesław, are left to fight it out, along with the king's other sons. As per an agreement between them, Zbigniew rules in the north and Bolesław in the south.

Bolesław III Krzywousty 'Wry-Mouthed' quickly found himself in conflict with his older brother, Zbigniew, but managed to repulse an expedition by the German emperor, Henry V, who sided with Zbigniew, and then caught and blinded his rival

1102 - 1107

Co-ruler in Poland, in Greater Poland, Kuiavia & Mazovia.

1108

Inevitably, war has broken out between the brothers, primarily due to the fact that Zbigniew as the elder of the two sees himself as the senior prince. Bolesław, however, holds all the cards, with the result that Zbigniew is entirely defeated. He is forced into exile in German lands.

1108 - 1138

Brother and ruler of all Poland through victory.

1138

The death of Bolesław III Krzywousty 'Wry-Mouthed', and the reading of his 'Succession Statute', serves to fragment the Polish kingdom for almost two centuries. On 28 October, Poland is divided into several principalities: Great Poland, Mazovia, Kujavia, Silesia, and Sandomierz.

Little Poland is reserved for the senior Polish prince in Kraków, who until 1180 is nominal overlord for all of the principalities. Initially this is Wladyslaw, duke of Silesia, who acts as overlord and supreme Polish authority. Further subdivisions occur throughout the next two centuries.

Szybowcowa Hill in Lower Silesia had been home to many people before the creation of the kingdom of Poland, from the Celtic Naharvali tribe to the Germanic Vandali, and then early Slav immigrants

Duchy of Mazovia (Piast Dynasty) (Poland)
AD 1138 - 1241

Polish States All Modern States Central Europe Hessian States Saxon States The Rus / Old Russia

Mieszko Piast became the first documented ruler of a duchy of Poland when he accepted Christianity into the newly created state in AD 966. At this time, the Polish state encompassed territory which was similar to that of modern Poland, but without many of the northern regions which were still tribal.

The duchy could, on occasions, also refer to itself as a kingdom, albeit on a personal basis for several rulers rather than in terms of an elevated state, as each king needed to be able to claim domination of various, often rebellious, Polish sub-states, early Mazovia included.

Mazovia was an eastern borderland territory which also encompassed western-central parts of Prussia. As one of a series of small states in the region it was probably formed in the ninth or tenth century, contemporaneously with the formation of the Western Polans state on its western flank.

On 28 October 1138, and not for the first time, Poland was divided into several principalities: Great Poland, Mazovia with Kujavia, Silesia, and Sandomierz. Little Poland was reserved for the senior Polish prince who was nominal overlord for all the principalities until 1180.

Further subdivisions occurred in Mazovia throughout the next two centuries which fractured the duchy into several tiny 'statelets' which could be picked off by anyone with an eye to territorial expansion until, finally, the remainder was re-united towards the end of the fifteenth century, just before the duchy was reabsorbed back into Poland.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information by Krzysiek Popończyk, from The Russian Primary Chronicle (Laurentian Text), Samuel Hazzard Cross & Olgerd P Sherbowitz-Wetzor (Eds and translators, Mediaeval Academy of America), from A History of Poland from its Foundation, M Ross, from Geography, Ptolemy, from The Earliest Icelandic Chronicle of the Norwegian Kings (1030-1157), Theodore Murdock Andersson & Kari Ellen Gade Morkinskinna, from The History of the Baltic Countries, Zigmantas Kiaupa, Ain Mäesalu, Ago Pajur, & Gvido Straube (Eds, Estonia 2008), and from External Link: The Forgotten Kingdom of Lechia (the argument for the mythical 'Kingdom of Lechia').)

1138 - 1173

Son of Bolesław III. First duke of Mazovia-Kuyavia.

1141 - 1146

Bolesław IV rebels against the senior prince, Wladyslaw II, between 1141-1143, and again from 1144-1146. He manages to secure for himself the position of senior prince of Poland.

During the Poland of the post-'Succession Statute', Czersk castle in Mazovia was one of the land's most important ducal residences

1147 - 1166

The pagan Prussian tribes along the Baltic coast have been pushing southwards during Poland's troubled period. They now hold several districts in Mazovia, so Bolesław IV conceives of a 'Prussian Crusade' to Christianise them (and of course seize their lands).

With the backing of the Pope and the emperor, and with the aid of Rus troops, the crusades continue until final defeat comes for the Poles in 1166.

1173 - 1186

Son. Still a minor at accession. Died without heir.

1177

Yet another rebellion, this time by Bolesław 'the Tall', sees more changes in rule across Poland. Bolesław is defeated by his own brother and son, Mieszko Tanglefoot and Jarosław of Opole respectively, allied to Mieszko III. The situation allows Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy to be decided upon as the next senior prince and high duke of Poland.

By about AD 1000 the final locations of the Baltic tribes were well known by the Germans who were beginning their attempts to subdue and control them, although the work would take a few centuries to complete and the Lithuanians would never be conquered by them (click or tap on map to view full sized)

1181

The authority of Kazimierz 'the Just' as senior prince of Poland begins to crumble. In the first half of the year Mieszko 'the Old', with the assistance of Mestwin I of Pomerelia, conquers the eastern Greater Polish lands of Gniezno and Kalisz.

He also manages to persuade his son, Odon, to submit. At the same time, the young Duke Leszek of Mazovia decides to remove himself from the influence of Kazimierz. He names Mieszko 'the Younger', son of Mieszko 'the Old', as governor of Mazovia and Kuyavia.

1186 - 1194

Uncle. Son of Bolesław III of Poland. Senior prince (1177).

1194 - 1247

Son. In opposition to Wladyslaw III of Poland & Henryk.

1194 - 1200

Regent. Died 1206.

1209 - 1222

Under Prince Konrad, various attempts to conquer the Prussians are intensified, with large battles and crusades taking place in 1209, 1219, 1220, and 1222. The last leads to the first talks with the Teutonic Knights, who have just been expelled from Hungary for attempting to form their own state.

Already veteran soldiers from their time in the Holy Land, the Teutonic Knights would have presented a fearsome spectacle to the Prussians - and a deadly opponent

1228

Prince Konrad invites the Teutonic Knights to settle in the Lower Vistula on the border with the Prussians, who have been ravaging Mazovia. This is a district which straddles the Vistula between the heartland of Poland and Prussia (and occasionally includes the Prussian region of Chełmno).

The Order attempts to Christianise the pagan Prussians and form its own military-religious state (known as the Ordenstaat) which it governs for the next three hundred years.

1229 - 1241

Prince Konrad opposes the prince of Krakow, Wladyslaw III, in 1229 and 1231, and then his successor, Henryk I, in 1233. Only in 1241 is he successful in becoming the senior ruler in Poland, and then only for two years.

Prince Konrad of Mazovia challenged continually for control of Poland, finally achieving his purpose in 1241, and also being responsible for inviting the Teutonic Knights into Prussia

1234 - 1247

However, in 1234 he hives off the core of Mazovia to his son, Bolesław I, while being under some pressure to do so by that son and others. He does not give up his dream of securing full control of Poland.

Gaining control of territory to the north of the Vistula and Bug, Bolesław I becomes the first duke of Mazovia in Płock. Kazimierz receives Kuyavia. When Konrad dies in 1247, Bolesław succeeds him as senior duke in Mazovia.