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The House of Piast was the first historical ruling
dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...
of
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
. The first documented Polish monarch was Duke
Mieszko I Mieszko I (; – 25 May 992) was the first ruler of Poland and the founder of the first independent Polish state, the Duchy of Poland. His reign stretched from 960 to his death and he was a member of the Piast dynasty, a son of Siemomysł and ...
(c. 930–992). 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 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 Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. From the accession of Otto I in 962 unt ...
. 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 the Wheelwright ( 740/741? – 861 AD; Latin: ''Past Ckosisconis'', ''Pazt filius Chosisconisu''; Polish: ''Piast Chościskowic'', ''Piast Kołodziej'' , ''Piast Oracz'' or ''Piast'') was a semi-legendary figure in medieval Poland (9th cent ...
(''Piast Kołodziej''), 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.Encyklopedia Powszechna PWN Warsaw 1975 vol. III p. 505 In a historical work the expression Piast dynasty was introduced by the Polish historian Adam Naruszewicz, it is not documented in contemporary sources.


History

The first "Piasts", probably of Polan descent, appeared around 940 in the territory of
Greater Poland Greater Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska (; german: Großpolen, sv, Storpolen, la, Polonia Maior), is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief and largest city is Poznań followed by Kalisz, the oldest cit ...
at the stronghold of Giecz. 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 Pomerania ( pl, Pomorze; german: Pommern; Kashubian: ''Pòmòrskô''; sv, Pommern) is a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Poland and Germany. The western part of Pomerania belongs to ...
,
Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
and the
Lusatia Lusatia (german: Lausitz, pl, Łużyce, hsb, Łužica, dsb, Łužyca, cs, Lužice, la, Lusatia, rarely also referred to as Sorbia) is a historical region in Central Europe, split between Germany and Poland. Lusatia stretches from the Bóbr ...
s, as well as
Ruthenia Ruthenia or , uk, Рутенія, translit=Rutenia or uk, Русь, translit=Rus, label=none, pl, Ruś, be, Рутэнія, Русь, russian: Рутения, Русь is an exonym, originally used in Medieval Latin as one of several terms ...
, and the Hungarian Spiš region in present-day
Slovakia Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the ...
. The ruler bore the title of a
duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are r ...
or a
king King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen regnant, queen, which title is also given to the queen consort, consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contempora ...
, 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 Władysław I Herman ( 1044 – 4 June 1102) was the duke of Poland from 1079 until his death. Accession Władysław was the second son of the Polish duke Casimir the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev. As the second son, Władysław was not ...
trying to protect the Polish state by treaties, oath of allegiances and marriage alliances with the Imperial Ottonian and
Salian The Salian dynasty or Salic dynasty (german: Salier) was a dynasty in the High Middle Ages. The dynasty provided four kings of Germany (1024–1125), all of whom went on to be crowned Holy Roman emperors (1027–1125). After the death of the la ...
dynasties. The Bohemian
Přemyslid dynasty The Přemyslid dynasty or House of Přemyslid ( cs, Přemyslovci, german: Premysliden, pl, Przemyślidzi) was a Bohemian royal dynasty that reigned in the Duchy of Bohemia and later Kingdom of Bohemia and Margraviate of Moravia (9th century–1 ...
, the Hungarian Arpads and their
Anjou Anjou may refer to: Geography and titles France *County of Anjou, a historical county in France and predecessor of the Duchy of Anjou **Count of Anjou, title of nobility *Duchy of Anjou, a historical duchy and later a province of France **Duke ...
successors, the
Kievan Rus' Kievan Rusʹ, also known as Kyivan Rusʹ ( orv, , Rusĭ, or , , ; Old Norse: ''Garðaríki''), was a state in Eastern and Northern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century.John Channon & Robert Hudson, ''Penguin Historical Atlas o ...
, later also the State of the Teutonic Order and the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state that existed from the 13th century to 1795, when the territory was Partitions of Poland, partitioned among the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Empire, Habsburg Empire of ...
were mighty neighbours. The Piast position was decisively enfeebled by an era of fragmentation following the 1138
Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth The last will and testament of the Piast duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, established rules for governance of the Polish kingdom by his four surviving sons after his death. By issuing it, Bolesław planned to guarantee that his heirs would n ...
. For nearly 150 years, the Polish state shattered into several duchies, with the Piast duke against the formally valid principle of
agnatic seniority Agnatic seniority is a patrilineal principle of inheritance where the order of succession to the throne prefers the monarch's younger brother over the monarch's own sons. A monarch's children (the next generation) succeed only after the males ...
fighting for the throne at
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula, Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland un ...
, the capital of the Lesser Polish
Seniorate Province Seniorate Province, also known as the Senioral Province, , was a district principality in the Duchy of Poland that was formed in 1138, following the fragmentation of the state. Its ruler held the title of the High Duke, ruling all duchies wit ...
. Numerous dukes like Mieszko III the Old,
Władysław III Spindleshanks : ''This article refers to the 12th-century Polish monarch. For the 15th-century Jagiellon monarch, see Władysław III of Poland, and for other monarchs with similar names see Ladislaus III (disambiguation)''. Władysław III Spindleshanks ( pl, W ...
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 The Lands of the Bohemian Crown were a number of incorporated states in Central Europe during the medieval and early modern periods connected by feudal relations under the Bohemian kings. The crown lands primarily consisted of the Kingdom of B ...
. 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 Karolina of Legnica-Brieg-Wohlau (german: Charlotte von Liegnitz-Brieg-Wohlau, pl, Karolina Piastówna; 2 December 1652 in Brzeg – 24 December 1707 in Wrocław), was a Silesian noble, duchess of Legnica, Brzeg and Wołów and the last memb ...
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 Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, j ...
– a symbol later referred to as the Piast coat of arms or as the
Piast Eagle The House of Piast was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. The first documented Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I (c. 930–992). The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir III the Great. Branch ...
. Górczyk, Wojciech, "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" http://histmag.org/?id=3057&act=ac 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 The Duchy of Silesia ( pl, Księstwo śląskie, german: Herzogtum Schlesien, cs, Slezské knížectví) with its capital at Wrocław was a medieval duchy located in the historic Silesian region of Poland. Soon after it was formed under the Piast ...
.


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

, native1 = Duke , life1 = 9th century , reignstart1 = 9th century , reignend1 = 9th century , notes1 = A legendary ruler of the Polans , family1 = Polans (Tribe) , image1 = Monarch-emp.png , alt1 = , name2 =
Piast the Wheelwright Piast the Wheelwright ( 740/741? – 861 AD; Latin: ''Past Ckosisconis'', ''Pazt filius Chosisconisu''; Polish: ''Piast Chościskowic'', ''Piast Kołodziej'' , ''Piast Oracz'' or ''Piast'') was a semi-legendary figure in medieval Poland (9th cent ...
, nickname2 = pl, Piast Kołodziej
lat, Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu , native2 = Duke , life2 = 9th century , reignstart2 = 9th century , reignend2 = 9th century , notes2 = A legendary ruler of the Polans
Son of Chościsko, father of Siemowit
Founder of the Piast dynasty , family2 = Piast , image2 = Piast.PNG , alt2 = , name3 = Siemowit , nickname3 = Ziemowit , native3 = Duke , life3 = 9th century , reignstart3 = 9th century , reignend3 = 9th century , notes3 = A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of
Piast the Wheelwright Piast the Wheelwright ( 740/741? – 861 AD; Latin: ''Past Ckosisconis'', ''Pazt filius Chosisconisu''; Polish: ''Piast Chościskowic'', ''Piast Kołodziej'' , ''Piast Oracz'' or ''Piast'') was a semi-legendary figure in medieval Poland (9th cent ...
and Rzepicha , family3 = Piast , image3 = Siemowit.PNG , alt3 = , name4 = Lestek , nickname4 = Leszek, Lestko , native4 = Duke , life4 = 9th / 10th centuries , reignstart4 = 9th / 10th centuries , reignend4 = 9th / 10th centuries , notes4 = A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Siemowit , family4 = Piast , image4 = Lestek.PNG , alt4 = , name5 =
Siemomysł Siemomysł or Ziemomysł (died ) was the third duke of Polans of the Piast dynasty, and the father of Poland's first Christian ruler, Mieszko I. He was listed by Gallus Anonymous in his ''Gesta principum Polonorum'' and was the son of Lestek, ...
, nickname5 = Ziemomysł , native5 = Duke , life5 = 10th century , reignstart5 = 10th century , reignend5 = 10th century , notes5 = A semi-legendary ruler of the Polans, son of Lestek , family5 = Piast , image5 = Siemomysł.PNG , alt5 =


Dukes and Kings of Poland

, native2 = King , life2 = 967 – 17 June 1025 , reignstart2 = Duke: 992
King: 18 April 1025 , reignend2 = Duke: 18 April 1025
King: 17 June 1025 , notes2 = Son of Mieszko I and Dobrawa of Bohemia
First to be crowned King
''Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive Polonorum'' , family2 = Piast , image2 = Chrobry1.jpg , alt2 = , name3 =
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was King of Poland from 1025 to 1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emnilda of Lusatia. He was pro ...
, nickname3 = , native3 = King , life3 = ca. 990 – 10/11 May 1034 , reignstart3 = 1025 , reignend3 = 1031 , notes3 = Son of Bolesław I and
Emnilda of Lusatia Emnilda ( pl, Emnilda słowiańska; – 1017), was a Slavic noblewoman and Duchess of Poland from 992 by her marriage with the Piast ruler Bolesław I the Brave. Ancestry She was a daughter of Dobromir, a Slavic ruler who in a 1013 entry wa ...
, family3 = Piast , image3 = Mieszko II.jpg , alt3 = , name4 = Bezprym , nickname4 = , native4 = Duke , life4 = ca. 986 – 1032 , reignstart4 = 1031 , reignend4 = 1032 , notes4 = Son of Bolesław I and Judith of Hungary (''disputed'') , family4 = Piast , image4 = Bezprym.jpeg , alt4 = , name5 = Otto Bolesławowic , nickname5 = , native5 = Duke , life5 = 1000 – 1033 , reignstart5 = 1032 , reignend5 = 1032 , notes5 = Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda , family5 = Piast , image5 = Monarch-emp.png , alt5 = , name6 = Theodorick , nickname6 = Dytryk , native6 = Duke , life6 = after 992 - after 1032 , reignstart6 = 1032 , reignend6 = 1032 /1033 , notes6 = Grandson of Mieszko I and Oda of Haldensleben , family6 = Piast , image6 = Monarch-emp.png , alt6 = , name7 =
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was King of Poland from 1025 to 1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emnilda of Lusatia. He was pro ...
, nickname7 = , native7 = Duke , life7 = ca. 990 – 10/11 May 1034 , reignstart7 = 1032 , reignend7 = 1034 , notes7 = Restored , family7 = Piast , image7 = Mieszko II.jpg , alt7 = , name8 =
Bolesław the Forgotten Bolesław the Forgotten () or the Cruel (; before 1016 – 1038/39) was a semi-legendary King of Poland of the Piast dynasty from 1034 until his death in 1038 or 1039. He was allegedly the first-born son of Mieszko II Lambert. Sources which me ...
, nickname8 = pl, Bolesław Zapomniany , native8 = Duke , life8 = before 1016 – 1038 or 1039 , reignstart8 = 1034 , reignend8 = 1038 /1039 , notes8 = Semi-legendary, existence disputed , family8 = Piast , image8 = Monarch-emp.png , alt8 = , name9 = Casimir I the Restorer , nickname9 = pl, Kazimierz I Odnowiciel , native9 = Duke , life9 = – , reignstart9 = 1039 , reignend9 = 1058 , notes9 = Son of Mieszko II and Richeza of Lotharingia , family9 = Piast , image9 = Odnowiciel.jpg , alt9 = , name10 =
Bolesław II the Bold Boleslav or Bolesław may refer to: In people: * Boleslaw (given name) In geography: *Bolesław, Dąbrowa County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland *Bolesław, Olkusz County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland *Bolesław, Silesian Voivodeship, Pol ...
, nickname10 = pl, Bolesław II Szczodry / Śmiały , native10 = King , life10 = ca. 1041 or 1042 – 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082 , reignstart10 = Duke: 1058
King: 1076 , reignend10 = Duke: 1076
King: 1079 , notes10 = Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev , family10 = Piast , image10 = Bolesław II Śmiały by Aleksander Lesser.PNG , alt510 = , name11 =
Władysław I Herman Władysław I Herman ( 1044 – 4 June 1102) was the duke of Poland from 1079 until his death. Accession Władysław was the second son of the Polish duke Casimir the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev. As the second son, Władysław was not ...
, nickname11 = , native11 = Duke , life11 = ca. 1044 – 4 June 1102 , reignstart11 = 1079 , reignend11 = 1102 , notes11 = Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega , family11 = Piast , image11 = Jan Matejko, Władysław I Herman.jpg , alt11 = , name12 =
Zbigniew Zbigniew () is a Polish masculine given name, originally Zbygniew . This West Slavic name is derived from the Polish elements ''Zby-'' (from ''zbyć, zbyć się, or pozbyć się'', meaning "to dispel", "to get rid of") and ''gniew'', meaning "ang ...
, nickname12 = Zbygniew , native12 = Duke , life12 = ca. 1073 – 8 July 1113 , reignstart12 = 1102 , reignend12 = 1107 , notes12 = Son of Władysław I and Przecława of
Prawdzic coat of arms Prawdzic (Prawdzik) - was historically a Polish Coat of Arms. It was used by the nobility clans and later szlachta families in the times of the Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569) and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. History Motto The mot ...
(''disputed'')
First jointly with Władysław I 1098-1102 , family12 = Piast , image12 = Zbigniew.JPG , alt12 = , name13 = Bolesław III Wrymouth , nickname13 = pl, Bolesław III Krzywousty , native13 = Duke , life13 = – , reignstart13 = 1107 , reignend13 = 1138 , notes13 = Son of Władysław I and Judith of Bohemia
First jointly with Władysław 1098-1102
Introduced '' senioral principle'' , family13 = Piast , image13 = Krzywousty1.jpg , alt13 =


High Dukes of Poland (Fragmentation of the Kingdom)

, native1 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life1 = 1105 – 30 May 1159 , reignstart1 = 1138 , reignend1 = 1146 , notes1 = Son of Bolesław III and Zbyslava of Kiev
Also Duke of Silesia
Exiled by his brothers , family1 = Piast , image1 = Jan Matejko, Władysław II Wygnaniec.jpg , alt1 = , name2 = Bolesław IV the Curly , nickname2 = pl, Bolesław Kędzierzawy , native2 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life2 = ca. 1125 – 5 January 1173 , reignstart2 = 1146 , reignend2 = 1173 , notes2 = Son of Bolesław III and Salomea of Berg
Also Duke of Masovia , family2 = Piast , image2 = Jan Matejko, Bolesław IV Kędzierzawy.jpg , alt2 = , name3 = Mieszko III the Old , nickname3 = pl, Mieszko III Stary , native3 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life3 = ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202 , reignstart3 = 1173 , reignend3 = 1177 , notes3 = Son of Bolesław III and Salomea
Also Duke of Greater Poland , family3 = Piast , image3 = Mieszko stary.jpg , alt3 = , name4 =
Casimir II the Just Casimir II the Just ( pl, Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy; 28 October 1138 – 5 May 1194) was a Lesser Polish Duke of Wiślica from 1166–1173, and of Sandomierz after 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby Hi ...
, nickname4 = pl, Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy , native4 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life4 = ca. 1138 – 5 May 1194 , reignstart4 = 1177 , reignend4 = 1190 , notes4 = Son of Bolesław III and Salomea
Also Duke of Wiślica and Sandomierz , family4 = Piast , image4 = Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy 2.jpg , alt4 = , name5 = Mieszko III the Old , nickname5 = pl, Mieszko III Stary , native5 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life5 = ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202 , reignstart5 = 1190 , reignend5 = 1190 , notes5 = Restored , family5 = Piast , image5 = Mieszko stary.jpg , alt5 = , name6 =
Casimir II the Just Casimir II the Just ( pl, Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy; 28 October 1138 – 5 May 1194) was a Lesser Polish Duke of Wiślica from 1166–1173, and of Sandomierz after 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby Hi ...
, nickname6 = pl, Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy , native6 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life6 = ca. 1138 – 5 May 1194 , reignstart6 = 1190 , reignend6 = 1194 , notes6 = Restored , family6 = Piast , image6 = Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy 2.jpg , alt6 = , name7 = Leszek I the White , nickname7 = pl, Leszek Biały , native7 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life7 = ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227 , reignstart7 = 1194 , reignend7 = 1198 , notes7 = Son of Casimir II and Helen of Znojmo
Also Duke of Sandomierz , family7 = Piast , image7 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt7 = , name8 = Mieszko III the Old , nickname8 = pl, Mieszko III Stary , native8 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life8 = ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202 , reignstart8 = 1198 , reignend8 = 1199 , notes8 = Restored , family8 = Piast , image8 = Mieszko stary.jpg , alt8 = , name9 = Leszek I the White , nickname9 = pl, Leszek Biały , native9 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life9 = ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227 , reignstart9 = 1199 , reignend9 = 1199 , notes9 = Restored , family9 = Piast , image9 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt9 = , name10 = Mieszko III the Old , nickname10 = pl, Mieszko III Stary , native10 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life10 = ca. 1127 – 13 March 1202 , reignstart10 = 1199 , reignend10 = 1202 , notes10 = Restored , family10 = Piast , image10 = Mieszko stary.jpg , alt10 = , name11 =
Władysław III Spindleshanks : ''This article refers to the 12th-century Polish monarch. For the 15th-century Jagiellon monarch, see Władysław III of Poland, and for other monarchs with similar names see Ladislaus III (disambiguation)''. Władysław III Spindleshanks ( pl, W ...
, nickname11 = pl, Władysław III Laskonogi , native11 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life11 = ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 1231 , reignstart11 = 1202 , reignend11 = 1202 , notes11 = Son of Mieszko III and
Eudoxia of Kiev Eudoxia Iziaslavna of Kiev (russian: Евдокия Изяславна, pl, Eudoksja Izjasławówna, italic=no; c. 1131 – c. 1187), was a Kievan Rus' princess member of the Rurikid dynasty and by marriage Duchess of Greater Poland and since 11 ...

Also Duke of Greater Poland , family11 = Piast , image11 = Jan Matejko, Władysław Laskonogi.jpg , alt11 = , name12 = Leszek I the White , nickname12 = pl, Leszek Biały , native12 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life12 = ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227 , reignstart12 = 1202 , reignend12 = 1210 , notes12 = Restored , family12 = Piast , image12 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt12 = , name13 = Mieszko IV Tanglefoot , nickname13 = pl, Mieszko I Plątonogi , native13 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life13 = ca. 1130 – 16 May 1211 , reignstart13 = 1210 , reignend13 = 1211 , notes13 = Son of Władysław II and
Agnes of Babenberg Agnes of Babenberg ( pl, Agnieszka austriacka; 1108/13 – 24/25 January 1163) was a scion of the Franconian House of Babenberg and by marriage High Duchess of Poland and Duchess of Silesia. Family and personality Agnes was a daughter of Le ...

Also Duke of Silesia , family13 = Piast , image13 = Mieszko IV.JPG , alt13 = , name14 = Leszek I the White , nickname14 = pl, Leszek Biały , native14 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life14 = ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227 , reignstart14 = 1211 , reignend14 = 1225 , notes14 = Restored , family14 = Piast , image14 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt14 = , name15 = Henryk I the Bearded , nickname15 = pl, Henryk I Brodaty , native15 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life15 = ca. 1165 – 19 March 1238 , reignstart15 = 1225 , reignend15 = 1225 , notes15 = Grandson of Władysław II, son of
Bolesław I the Tall Bolesław I the Tall ( pl, Bolesław I Wysoki) (born 1127 – died Leśnica (now part of Wrocław), 7 or 8 December 1201) was Duke of Wroclaw from 1163 until his death in 1201. Early years He was the eldest son of Władysław II the Exile by h ...
and Krystyna
Also Duke of Silesia , family15 = Piast , image15 = Jan Matejko, Henryk I Brodaty.jpg , alt15 = , name16 = Leszek I the White , nickname16 = pl, Leszek Biały , native16 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life16 = ca. 1186 – 24 November 1227 , reignstart16 = 1225 , reignend16 = 1227 , notes16 = Restored
Assassinated , family16 = Piast , image16 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt16 = , name17 =
Władysław III Spindleshanks : ''This article refers to the 12th-century Polish monarch. For the 15th-century Jagiellon monarch, see Władysław III of Poland, and for other monarchs with similar names see Ladislaus III (disambiguation)''. Władysław III Spindleshanks ( pl, W ...
, nickname17 = pl, Władysław III Laskonogi , native17 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life17 = ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 1231 , reignstart17 = 1227 , reignend17 = 1229 , notes17 = Restored , family17 = Piast , image17 = Jan Matejko, Władysław Laskonogi.jpg , alt17 = , name18 = Konrad I of Masovia , nickname18 = pl, Konrad I Mazowiecki , native18 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life18 = ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247 , reignstart18 = 1229 , reignend18 = 1232 , notes18 = Son of Kazimierz II and Helen of Znojmo
Also Duke of Masovia , family18 = Piast , image18 = Konrad I Mazowiecki.jpg , alt18 = , name19 = Henryk I the Bearded , nickname19 = pl, Henryk I Brodaty , native19 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life19 = ca. 1165 – 19 March 1238 , reignstart19 = 1232 , reignend19 = 1238 , notes19 = Restored , family19 = Piast , image19 = Jan Matejko, Henryk I Brodaty.jpg , alt19 = , name20 = Henryk II the Pious , nickname20 = pl, Henryk II Pobożny , native20 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life20 = ca. 1196 – 9 April 1241 , reignstart20 = 1238 , reignend20 = 1241 , notes20 = 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 , family20 = Piast , image20 = Henryk II Pobożny tomb effigy.PNG , alt20 = , name21 =
Bolesław II Rogatka Boleslav or Bolesław may refer to: In people: * Boleslaw (given name) In geography: *Bolesław, Dąbrowa County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland *Bolesław, Olkusz County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland *Bolesław, Silesian Voivodeship, Pol ...
, nickname21 = Bolesław II the Horned , native21 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life21 = ca. 1220 – 1225 , reignstart21 = 1241 , reignend21 = 1241 , notes21 = Son of Henry II and
Anne of Bohemia Anne of Bohemia (11 May 1366 – 7 June 1394), also known as Anne of Luxembourg, was Queen of England as the first wife of King Richard II. A member of the House of Luxembourg, she was the eldest daughter of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and ...

Also Duke of Silesia , family21 = Piast , image21 = Monarch-emp.png , alt21 = , name22 = Konrad I of Masovia , nickname22 = pl, Konrad I Mazowiecki , native22 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life22 = ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247 , reignstart22 = 1241 , reignend22 = 1243 , notes22 = Restored , family22 = Piast , image22 = Konrad I Mazowiecki.jpg , alt22 = , name23 = Bolesław V the Chaste , nickname23 = pl, Bolesław Wstydliwy , native23 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life23 = 21 June 1226 – 7 December 1279 , reignstart23 = 1243 , reignend23 = 1279 , notes23 = Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa of Luck , family23 = Piast , image23 = Jan Matejko, Bolesław Wstydliwy.jpg , alt23 = , name24 = Leszek II the Black , nickname24 = pl, Leszek Czarny , native24 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life24 = ca. 1241 – 30 September 1288 , reignstart24 = 1279 , reignend24 = 1288 , notes24 = Paternal grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Maternal grandson of Henry II
Son of
Casimir I of Kuyavia Casimir I of Kuyavia ( pl, Kazimierz I kujawski) (c. 1211 – 14 December 1267) was a Polish prince and a member of the House of Piast. He was Duke of Kujawy after 1233, ruler over Ląd from 1239-1261, ruler over Wyszogród after 1242, Duke of Si ...
and
Constance of Wrocław Constance of Wrocław ( pl, Konstancja wrocławska) (c.1221–27 – 21 or 23 February 1257) was a princess of Silesia and the duchess of Kuyavia. She was a member of the Polish House of Piast and mother of Leszek the Black and Ziemomysł of Kuyavi ...
, family24 = Piast , image24 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Czarny.jpg , alt24 = , name25 =
Bolesław II of Masovia Bolesław II of Masovia or Bolesław II of Płock (pl: ''Bolesław II mazowiecki (płocki)''; ca. 1253/58 – 20 April 1313), was a Polish prince, member of the House of Piast, Duke of Masovia during 1262-1275 jointly with his brother, after 1 ...
, nickname25 = Boleslaw II of Płock , native25 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life25 = ca. 1251 – 20 April 1313 , reignstart25 = 1288 , reignend25 = 1288 , notes25 = Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Duke of Masovia , family25 = Piast , image25 = Bolesław II.jpg , alt25 = , name26 = Henryk IV Probus , nickname26 = pl, Henryk IV Prawy , native26 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life26 = ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 1290 , reignstart26 = 1288 , reignend26 = 1289 , notes26 = Paternal grandson of Henryk II
Maternal grandson of Konrad I
Son of
Henry III the White Henry III the White ( pl, Henryk III Biały) ( – 3 December 1266), a member of the Silesian Piasts, was Duke of Silesia at Wrocław from 1248 until his death, as co-ruler with his brother Władysław. Life He was the third son of the Polish hi ...
and Judyta of Masovia
Duke of Lower Silesia , family26 = Piast , image26 = Henryk IV Probus tomb effigy.PNG , alt26 = , name27 =
Bolesław II of Masovia Bolesław II of Masovia or Bolesław II of Płock (pl: ''Bolesław II mazowiecki (płocki)''; ca. 1253/58 – 20 April 1313), was a Polish prince, member of the House of Piast, Duke of Masovia during 1262-1275 jointly with his brother, after 1 ...
, nickname27 = Boleslaw II of Płock , native27 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life27 = ca. 1251 – 20 April 1313 , reignstart27 = 1289 , reignend27 = 1289 , notes27 = Restored , family27 = Piast , image27 = Bolesław II.jpg , alt27 = , name28 = Władysław I the Elbow-high , nickname28 = pl, Władysław I Łokietek , native28 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life28 = 1261 – 2 March 1333 , reignstart28 = 1289 , reignend28 = 1289 , notes28 = Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia and
Euphrosyne of Opole Euphrosyne of Opole ( pl, Eufrozyna opolska) (1228/30 – 4 November 1292) was a daughter of Casimir I of Opole and his wife Viola, Duchess of Opole. She was a member of the House of Piast and became Duchess of Kuyavia from her first marriage and ...
, family28 = Piast , image28 = Wladislaus I of Poland.PNG , alt28 = , name29 = Henryk IV Probus , nickname29 = pl, Henryk IV Prawy , native29 = High Duke
Supreme Prince , life29 = ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 1290 , reignstart29 = 1289 , reignend29 = 1290 , notes29 = Restored , family29 = Piast , image29 = Henryk IV Probus tomb effigy.PNG , alt29 =


Kings of Poland (Reunification attempts)


Kings of Poland (Reunited Kingdom)

, native1 = King , life1 = 1261 – 2 March 1333 , reignstart1 = 1320 , reignend1 = 1333 , notes1 = Restored
Re-united the Kingdom of Poland , family1 = Piast , image1 = Wladislaus I of Poland.PNG , alt1 = , name2 = Casimir III the Great , nickname2 = pl, Kazimierz III Wielki , native2 = King , life2 = – , reignstart2 = 1333 , reignend2 = 1370 , notes2 = Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and
Jadwiga of Kalisz Jadwiga of Kalisz (Polish: ''Jadwiga kaliska'' (''Bolesławówna)''; 1266 – 10 December 1339) was a Queen of Poland by marriage to Ladislaus the Short. She was the mother of the last Piast King of Poland, Casimir III. She was the second of thre ...

Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs , family2 = Piast , image2 = Casimir the Great by Leopold Löffler.PNG , alt2 =


Female Piasts


Queen consorts

* Świętosława, supposed daughter of Mieszko I of Poland, Queen consort of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England, mother of
Cnut the Great Cnut (; ang, Cnut cyning; non, Knútr inn ríki ; or , no, Knut den mektige, sv, Knut den Store. died 12 November 1035), also known as Cnut the Great and Canute, was King of England from 1016, King of Denmark from 1018, and King of Norw ...
, King of all England,
Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...
and
Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of ...
*
Świętosława of Poland Świętosława of Poland ( cs, Svatava Polská (c. 1046–1048 – 1 September 1126)) was the third wife of Duke (later King) Vratislaus II of Bohemia and the first Queen of Bohemia as of 1085. Origin Świętosława was the daughter of Duke Ca ...
, 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 Canute V Magnussen ( da, Knud V Magnussen) ( – 9 August 1157) was a King of Denmark from 1146 to 1157, as co-regent in shifting alliances with Sweyn III and Valdemar I. Canute was killed at the so-called ''Bloodfeast of Roskilde'' in 1157. Noth ...
, King of Denmark and
Sophia of Minsk Sophia of Minsk or Sophia of Polotsk (died 5 May 1198) was a Danish queen consort by marriage to King Valdemar I of Denmark, and a landgravine of Thuringia by marriage to Louis III, Landgrave of Thuringia. Life Origin Sophia was the daughter ...
, Queen consort of Denmark * Richeza of Poland, Queen of Castile, daughter of Władysław II the Exile,
Queen consort of León This is a list of the '' royal consort'' of the ''Kingdom of León''. ''It is, in part, a continuation of the list of Asturian royal consorts''. Royal Consorts of León House of Alfonso House of Jiménez House of Burgundy Hous ...
and
Galicia Galicia may refer to: Geographic regions * Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain ** Gallaecia, a Roman province ** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia ** The medieval King ...
, 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 Elizabeth Richeza of Poland ( cs, Eliška-Rejčka; pl, Ryksa-Elżbieta; 1 September 1288 – 19 October 1335), was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by her two marriages Queen consort of Bohemia and Poland and Duchess consor ...
, daughter of Przemysł II,
Queen consort of Poland The wives of the rulers of the Kingdom of Poland were duchesses or queens consort of Poland. Two women ruled Poland as queens regnant, but their husbands were kings '' jure uxoris''. Wives of early Polish monarchs Duchesses of the Polans ...
and
Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
* Viola of Cieszyn, daughter of
Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn Mieszko I of Cieszyn ( pl, Mieszko cieszyński, cs, Měšek I. Těšínský, german: Mesko I (Teschen); also known as Mieszko I of Opole; 1252/56 – by 27 June 1315), was a Duke of Racibórz during 1282–1290 (with his brother as co-ruler) and t ...
, Queen consort of Hungary, Bohemia and Poland *
Maria of Bytom Maria of Bytom ( pl, Maria bytomska; before 1295 – 15 December 1317) was a Queen of Hungary by marriage to Charles I of Hungary. She was the third child and only daughter of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena, whose origins are unk ...
, daughter of
Casimir of Bytom Casimir of Bytom ( pl, Kazimierz; 1253/57 – 10 March 1312) was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 (with his brother as co-ruler) and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death. He was the second son of Władysław, Duke of Opole–Racibórz, b ...
, Queen consort of Hungary *
Beatrice of Silesia Beatrice of Silesia (also known as Beatrice of Świdnica; pl, Beatrycze świdnicka, german: Beatrix von Schweidnitz ; 1290 – 24 October 1322) was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Silesian branch of Jawor- Świdnica and by ...
, daughter of Bolko I the Strict, Queen of the Romans * Hedwig of Kalisz, daughter of
Bolesław the Pious Bolesław the Pious (1224/27 – 14 April 1279) was a Duke of Greater Poland during 1239–1247 (according to some historians during 1239–1241 sole Duke of Ujście), Duke of Kalisz during 1247–1249, Duke of Gniezno during 1249–1250, Du ...
, 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 , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = " Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capi ...
and Charles I of Hungary, King of Hungary and Croatia * Anna of Świdnica, daughter of Henry II, Duke of Świdnica,
Queen consort of Germany German queen (german: Deutsche Königin) is the informal title used when referring to the wife of the king of the Kingdom of Germany. The official titles of the wives of German kings were Queen of the Germans and later Queen of the Romans ( la, ...
, of Bohemia and Holy Roman Empress, mother of
Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia Wenceslaus IV (also ''Wenceslas''; cs, Václav; german: Wenzel, nicknamed "the Idle"; 26 February 136116 August 1419), also known as Wenceslaus of Luxembourg, was King of Bohemia from 1378 until his death and King of Germany from 1376 until he ...
,
King of the Romans King of the Romans ( la, Rex Romanorum; german: König der Römer) was the title used by the king of Germany following his election by the princes from the reign of Henry II (1002–1024) onward. The title originally referred to any German k ...
and of Bohemia * Hedwig of Sagan, daughter of
Henry V of Iron Henry V (III) of Iron ( pl, Henryk V Żelazny; – after 8 April 1369), was a Duke of Żagań since 1342, from 1349 Duke of half-Głogów, and from 1363 Duke of half-Ścinawa. He was the only son of Henry IV (II) the Faithful, Duke of Żagań, ...
, Queen consort of Poland


Priesthood


Archbishops

* Bolesław of Toszek – Archbishop of
Esztergom Esztergom ( ; german: Gran; la, Solva or ; sk, Ostrihom, known by alternative names) is a city with county rights in northern Hungary, northwest of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom County, on the right bank of the river ...
* Władysław of Wroclaw – Archbishop of
Salzburg Salzburg (, ; literally "Salt-Castle"; bar, Soizbuag, label=Austro-Bavarian) is the fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2020, it had a population of 156,872. The town is on the site of the Roman settlement of ''Iuvavum''. Salzburg was founded ...


Bishops

* Jarosław of Opole – Bishop of Wrocław *
Mieszko of Bytom Mieszko of Bytom (b. ca. 1305 – d. bef. 9 August 1344), was a Duke of Siewierz during 1312–1328 (from 1315 only formally), Bishop of Nitra 1328–1334 and Bishop of Veszprém from 1334 to his death. He was the fifth and youngest son of Duke C ...
– Bishop of Nitra and of Veszprém * Henry of Masovia – Bishop of Płock * Jan Kropidło – Bishop of Poznań,
Włocławek Włocławek (Polish pronunciation: ; german: Leslau) is a city located in central Poland along the Vistula (Wisła) River and is bordered by the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park. As of December 2021, the population of the city is 106,928. Lo ...
, 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


See also

* Kings of Poland family tree * List of Polish rulers * Dukes of Silesia * Silesian Piasts *
Dukes of Masovia Duke of Masovia ( pl, Książę Mazowsza) was a title born by the sons and descendants of the Polish Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth. In accordance with the last will and testament of Bolesław, upon his death his lands were divided into four to five ...
* Dukes of Greater Poland *
Dukes of Teschen Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranked ...
* Dukes of Leczyca * Dukes of Sieradz * :House of Piast *
Wawel Castle The Wawel Royal Castle (; ''Zamek Królewski na Wawelu'') and the Wawel Hill on which it sits constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in Poland. A fortified residency on the Vistula River in Kraków, it was established ...
* Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia * Duchy of Bohemia *
King of Poland Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th ...
* 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


External links


''Dukes of Kraków, Princes of Poland'', Collier's
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piast Dynasty History of Poland during the Piast dynasty History of Silesia