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Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
was ruled at various times either by
duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...
s and
prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
s (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of
free election An election is a formal group decision-making process whereby a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated s ...
of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th to 18th centuries). The first Polish ruler whose existence is not debatable was Duke Mieszko I, who
adopted Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from ...
Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
under the authority of Rome in the year 966. He was succeeded by his son,
Bolesław I the Brave Bolesław I the Brave (17 June 1025), less often List of people known as the Great, known as Bolesław the Great, was Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and the first King of Poland in 1025. He was also Duke of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004 as Boles ...
, who greatly expanded the boundaries of the Polish state and ruled as the first king in 1025. The following centuries gave rise to the mighty
Piast dynasty The House of Piast was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. The first documented List of Polish monarchs, Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I of Poland, Mieszko I (–992). The Poland during the Piast dynasty, Piasts' royal rule in Pol ...
, consisting of both kings such as
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Kingdom of Poland (1025–1031), Poland from 1025 to 1031 and Duchy of Poland (c. 960–1025), Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Boles ...
,
Przemysł II Przemysł II ( also given in English and Latin language, Latin as ''Premyslas'' or ''Premislaus'' or in Polish as '; 14 October 1257 – 8 February 1296) was the Duke of Poznań from 1257–1279, of Greater Poland from 1279 to 1296, of Kraków fr ...
or
Władysław I the Elbow-high Władysław is a Polish given male name, cognate with Vladislav. The feminine form is Władysława, archaic forms are Włodzisław (male) and Włodzisława (female), and Wladislaw is a variation. These names may refer to: People Mononym * Włodzis ...
and dukes like
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...
. The dynasty's rule over Poland ceased with the death of
Casimir III the Great Casimir III the Great (; 30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370) reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He also later became King of Ruthenia in 1340, retaining the title throughout the Galicia–Volhynia Wars. He was the last Polish king fr ...
in 1370. In the same year, the
Capetian House of Anjou The Capetian House of Anjou, or House of Anjou-Sicily, or House of Anjou-Naples was a royal house and cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. It is one of three separate royal houses referred to as ''Angevin'', meaning "from Anjou" in France. Foun ...
became the ruling house with
Louis I Louis I may refer to: Cardinals * Louis I, Cardinal of Guise (1527–1578) Counts * Ludwig I, Count of Württemberg (c. 1098–1158) * Louis I of Blois (1172–1205) * Louis I of Flanders (1304–1346) * Louis I of Châtillon (died 13 ...
as king of both Poland and
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan
Grand Duke of Lithuania This is a list of Lithuanian monarchs who ruled Lithuania from its inception until the fall of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1795. The Lithuanian monarch bore the title of Grand duke, Grand Duke, with the exception of Mindaugas, who was crown ...
, who in 1386 was baptized and crowned as
Władysław II Jagiełło Jogaila (; 1 June 1434), later Władysław II Jagiełło (),Other names include (; ) (see also Names and titles of Władysław II Jagiełło) was Grand Duke of Lithuania beginning in 1377 and starting in 1386, becoming King of Poland as well. ...
, thus creating the
Jagiellonian dynasty The Jagiellonian ( ) or Jagellonian dynasty ( ; ; ), otherwise the Jagiellon dynasty (), the House of Jagiellon (), or simply the Jagiellons (; ; ), was the name assumed by a cadet branch of the Lithuanian ducal dynasty of Gediminids upon recep ...
and a personal union between Poland and
Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
. During the reign of
Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV (Casimir Andrew Jagiellon; ; Lithuanian: ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447 until his death in 1492. He was one of the most active Polish-Lithuanian rulers; under ...
and
Sigismund I the Old Sigismund I the Old (, ; 1 January 1467 – 1 April 1548) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1506 until his death in 1548. Sigismund I was a member of the Jagiellonian dynasty, the son of Casimir IV of P ...
, culture flourished and cities developed. This era of progress, also known as the
Polish Renaissance The Renaissance in Poland ( , ; ) lasted from the late 15th to the late 16th century and is widely considered to have been the Golden Age of Polish culture. Ruled by the Jagiellonian dynasty, the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (from 1569 part of ...
, continued until the
Union of Lublin The Union of Lublin (; ) was signed on 1 July 1569 in Lublin, Poland, and created a single state, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest countries in Europe at the time. It replaced the personal union of the Crown of the Kingd ...
under
Sigismund II Augustus Sigismund II Augustus (, ; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and t ...
, which unofficially marked the end of the
Polish Golden Age The Polish Golden Age (Polish language, Polish: ''Złoty Wiek Polski'' ) was the Renaissance in Poland, Renaissance period in the Kingdom of Poland and subsequently in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which started in the late 15th century. H ...
. After the death of the last Jagiellonian king, the united
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, also referred to as Poland–Lithuania or the First Polish Republic (), was a federation, federative real union between the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ...
became an
elective monarchy An elective monarchy is a monarchy ruled by a monarch who is elected, in contrast to a hereditary monarchy in which the office is automatically passed down as a family inheritance. The manner of election, the nature of candidate qualifications, ...
with mostly foreigners elected as monarchs such as
Henry III of France Henry III (; ; ; 19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589) was King of France from 1574 until his assassination in 1589, as well as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575. As the fourth son of King Henry II of France, he ...
, who witnessed the introduction of the
Golden Liberty Golden Liberty (; , ), sometimes referred to as Golden Freedoms, Nobles' Democracy or Nobles' Commonwealth ( or ''Złota wolność szlachecka'') was a political system in the Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569), Kingdom of Poland and, after the Unio ...
system and
Stephen Báthory Stephen Báthory (; ; ; 27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576–1586) as well as Prince of Transylvania, earlier Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576). The son of Stephen VIII Báthory ...
, a capable military commander who strengthened the nation. The meaningful rule of the
Vasa dynasty The House of Vasa or Wasa was a royal house that was founded in 1523 in Sweden. Its members ruled the Kingdom of Sweden from 1523 to 1654 and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1587 to 1668. Its agnatic line became extinct with the death ...
initially expanded the Commonwealth as the arts and crafts developed, as well as trade and commerce. King
Sigismund III Vasa Sigismund III Vasa (, ; 20 June 1566 – 30 April 1632 N.S.) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1587 to 1632 and, as Sigismund, King of Sweden from 1592 to 1599. He was the first Polish sovereign from the House of Vasa. Re ...
, a talented but somewhat despotic ruler, involved the country in many wars, which subsequently resulted in the successful capture of
Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
and the Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629), loss of Livonia to Sweden. His son, Władysław IV Vasa, fiercely defended the Commonwealth's borders and continued the policy of his father until his death, unlike John II Casimir whose tragic rule resulted in his abdication. The election of John III Sobieski to the Polish throne proved to be beneficial for the Commonwealth. A brilliant military tactician, John III led the coalition forces to Battle of Vienna, victory at Vienna in 1683 and he partially recaptured land from the Ottoman Empire. However, the years that followed were not as successful. The long and ineffective rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III of Poland, Augustus III) placed the Commonwealth under the influence of Saxony and the Russian Empire. Additional feuds with rebel nobility (szlachta) and most notably Stanislaus I Leszczyński and France diminished the influence of Poland–Lithuania in the region, which led to the Partitions of Poland, partitions that occurred under King Stanisław II Augustus, Stanislaus II Augustus, yet another Enlightenment in Poland, enlightened, but ineffective monarch. The last true sovereign of Poland was Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, Frederick Augustus I as Duke of Warsaw, who throughout his political career attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state. Following the Napoleonic Wars, many sovereigns claimed the title of Polish king, duke or ruler, notably German (the King of Prussia was also the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Posen 1815-1918), Russian (the Congress Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1815 with the widely unrecognized title of King of Poland to the Emperor of Russia until 1915) and Austrian emperors (the Emperor of Austria was sovereign of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria between 1772 and 1918, and the Grand Duchy of Kraków between 1846 and 1918). The new Kingdom of Poland (1917-1918), Kingdom of Poland was proclaimed as an independent state in 1916 with a Regency Council (Poland), Regency Council but the monarchy was abolished and a Parliamentary republic, parliamentary republican authority was established when Poland was re-constituted as a Second Polish Republic, sovereign state in 1918.


Legendary

Most of the legendary Polish rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century and their existence has not been determined. , - , Lech, Czech, and Rus, , , Unknown , Unknown , Unknown , Legendary founder of the Polish people, Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader , Lechites (Tribe) , - , Krakus,
also Krak or Grakch
, , , Unknown , , Legendary founder of Kraków , Lechites (Tribe) , - ,
, ,
Son of Krakus, Krakus I , Unknown , , Succession , Lechites (Tribe) , - ,

, ,
Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II , Unknown , , Succession , Lechites (Tribe) , - , Princess Wanda,
also Wąda
, ,
Daughter of Krakus, sister of Krakus II and Lech II , Unknown , , Succession , Lechites (Tribe) , - , Duke

also Leszek


, ,

, Unknown ,

, Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned
Elected , Goplans and Polans (western), Polans (Tribes) , - , Duke

, ,
Presumed son of Leszko I, Alleged progenitor of the Popielids dynasty , Unknown , , Succession , Popielids , - , Duke

, ,
Presumed son of Leszko II , Unknown , , Succession , Popielids , - , Duke

, ,
Presumed son of Leszko III , Unknown , , Succession , Popielids , - , Duke
Popiel,
, ,
Presumed son of Popiel I , Nomen nescio, NN, A German Princess , , A legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century
Succession , Popielids , - ,
, ,
Son of Chościsko , Rzepicha , , Legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century , House of Piast, Piast


Debatable rulers

The three direct predecessors of Mieszko I are known only from the account of Gallus Anonymus, who wrote the oldest Polish chronicle, at the beginning of the 12th century. Though their historicity was once debatable, now historians tend to consider them actually existing rulers. , - , Duke
Siemowit,
also Ziemowit

9th century , , 9th century
Presumed son of Piast the Wheelwright
and Rzepicha , Unknown , 9th century , Named the Duke of the Polans after his father, Piast the Wheelwright, refused to take the place of legendary Duke Popiel II, Popiel
Elected , House of Piast, Piast , , - , Duke
Lestek,
also Leszek or Lestko
9th century

10th century , , 880
Presumed son of Siemowit , Unknown , 950 , Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father
Succession , House of Piast, Piast , , - , Duke
Siemomysł,
also Ziemomysł
Latin: Zemomislaus

10th century

/960 , ,
Presumed son of Lestek , Unknown , 960 , Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father
Succession , House of Piast, Piast ,


House of Piast

, - , Duke
Mieszko I
Latin: ''Misico, dux Wandalorum''
960

25 May 992
''( years)'' , ,
Son of semi-legendary Siemomysł , Doubravka of Bohemia

2 children
Oda of Haldensleben

3 children , 25 May 992
Poznań
Aged about 62 , First Christian ruler of Poland
Succession , House of Piast, Piast , - , King
Bolesław I the Brave Bolesław I the Brave (17 June 1025), less often List of people known as the Great, known as Bolesław the Great, was Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and the first King of Poland in 1025. He was also Duke of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004 as Boles ...

also Boleslaus I the Great

9921025 (as duke)
18 April 102517 June 1025 (as king)
''( years)'' , ,
Poznań
Son of Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia , Hunilda, daughter of Rikdag
Judith of Hungary
Emnilda of Lusatia
Oda of Meissen , 17 June 1025
Kraków
Aged about 58 , First crowned king
Succession , House of Piast, Piast , - , King
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Kingdom of Poland (1025–1031), Poland from 1025 to 1031 and Duchy of Poland (c. 960–1025), Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Boles ...

25 December 10251031
''( years)'' , ,
Son of
Bolesław I the Brave Bolesław I the Brave (17 June 1025), less often List of people known as the Great, known as Bolesław the Great, was Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and the first King of Poland in 1025. He was also Duke of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004 as Boles ...
and Emnilda of Lusatia , Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children , 10/11 May 1034
Poznań
Aged about 44 , Crowned king
Succession
Deposed as a result of the pagan reaction in Poland, Pagan Rebellion , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Bezprym
10311032 ''( years)'' , ,
Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Judith of Hungary , Unknown ,
Aged about 46 , Country divided, ruler of a Duchy
Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Otto Bolesławowic, Otto
10321033 ''( years)'' , ,
Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia , Unknown ,
Aged about 33 , Country divided, ruler of a Duchy
Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Dytryk
also Dietrich and Theoderick
10321033 ''( years)'' , ,
Son of Lambert Mieszkowic or Mieszko Mieszkowic , Unknown ,
Aged about 41 , Country divided, ruler of a Duchy
Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Mieszko II Lambert
10321034
''( years)'' , ,
Son of
Bolesław I the Brave Bolesław I the Brave (17 June 1025), less often List of people known as the Great, known as Bolesław the Great, was Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and the first King of Poland in 1025. He was also Duke of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004 as Boles ...
and Emnilda of Lusatia , Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children , 10/11 May 1034
Poznań
Aged about 44 , Restored as duke , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Bolesław the Forgotten

10341038/1039
''( years)'' , , before 1016
Presumed son of
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Kingdom of Poland (1025–1031), Poland from 1025 to 1031 and Duchy of Poland (c. 960–1025), Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Boles ...
, Unknown , 1038/1039 , Semi-legendary, existence disputed , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Casimir I the Restorer

1034/10401058
''( years)'' , , 25 July 1016
Son of
Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Kingdom of Poland (1025–1031), Poland from 1025 to 1031 and Duchy of Poland (c. 960–1025), Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Boles ...
and Richeza of Lotharingia , Maria Dobroniega of Kiev, Maria Dobroniega, 5 children , 19 March 1058
Poznań
Aged 41 , Made prince in 1034, returned from abroad in 1040
Restoration , House of Piast, Piast , - , King
Bolesław II the Generous

10581076 (as duke)
26 December 10761079 (as king)
''( years)'' , , 1042
Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev, Maria Dobroniega , Wyszesława of Kiev, Wyszesława, 1 son , 2/3 April 1081
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
or Ossiach
Aged about 39 , Crowned king in 1076
Deposed and exiled in 1079 after slaying Stanislaus of Szczepanów, Saint Stanislaus , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Władysław I Herman
10794 June 1102
''( years)'' , , 1044
Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev, Maria Dobroniega , Przecława
Judith of Bohemia
Judith of Swabia , 24 June 1102
Płock
Aged about 58 , Succeeded brother after his exile , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Zbigniew of Poland, Zbigniew
11021107
''( years)'' , ,
Son of Władysław I Herman and Przecława (?) , Unknown , 8 July 1113
Aged about 40 , Succession , House of Piast, Piast , - , Duke
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...

also Boleslaus III

11071138
''( years)'' , , 20 August 1086
Płock
Son of Władysław I Herman and Judith of Bohemia , Zbyslava of Kiev
Salomea of Berg , 28 October 1138
Sochaczew
Aged 52 , Succession
His death led to the Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth, fragmentation of Poland , House of Piast, Piast


Fragmentation of Poland (1138–1320)

, - , High Duke
Władysław II the Exile

11381146
''( years)'' , , 1105
Kraków
Son of
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...
and Zbyslava of Kiev , Agnes of Babenberg, 5 children , 30 May 1159
Altenburg
Aged 54 , Succession
Deposed and exiled , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Bolesław IV the Curly

11461173
''( years)'' , ,
Son of
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...
and Salomea of Berg , Viacheslava of Novgorod, 3 children , 5 January 1173
Aged about 51 , Succeeded exiled half-brother , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Mieszko III of Poland, Mieszko III

11731177
''( years)'' , ,
Son of
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...
and Salomea of Berg , Elizabeth of Hungary, Duchess of Greater Poland, Elisabeth of Hungary
Eudoxia of Kiev , 13 March 1202
Kalisz
Aged about 75 , Succession
Deposed by brother in 1177 , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Casimir II the Just

11771190
''( years)'' , ,
Son of
Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth (; 20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138), also known as Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, was the duke of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Sandomierz between 1102 and 1107 and over the whole of Poland between 1107 and 1138. He was the onl ...
and Salomea of Berg , Helen of Znojmo, 7 children , 5 May 1194
Kraków
Aged about 56 , Usurped power from brother , House of Piast, Piast , - , Mieszko III
11901190 , , – , – , – , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Casimir II the Just
11901194 , , – , – , – , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Leszek I the White

11941198
''( years)'' , , /1185
Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo , Grzymisława of Luck, 2 children , 24 November 1227
Marcinkowo Górne
Aged about 43 , Succession , House of Piast, Piast , - , Mieszko III
11981199 , , – , – , – , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Leszek I the White
11991199 , , – , – , – , Restored , House of Piast, Piast , - , Mieszko III
11991202 , , – , – , – , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Władysław III Spindleshanks

12021206
''( years)'' , ,
Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev , Lucia of Rügen, 2 children , 3 November 1231
Aged about 64 , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Leszek I the White
12061210 , , – , – , – , Restored , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot

12101211
''( years)'' , ,
Son of Władysław II the Exile and Agnes of Babenberg , Ludmila (wife of Mieszko I Tanglefoot), Ludmila, 5 children , 16 May 1211
Aged about 81 , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , Leszek I the White
12111227
''( years)'' , , – , – , – , Restored
Murdered in 1227 , House of Piast, Piast , - , Władysław III Spindleshanks
12271229 , , – , – , – , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Konrad I of Masovia
12291232
''( years)'' , , /1188
Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo , Agafia of Rus, 10 children , 31 August 1247
Aged about 60 , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Henry I the Bearded

12321238
''( years)'' , , /1188
Głogów
Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?) , Hedwig of Andechs, 7 children , 19 March 1238
Krosno Odrzańskie
Aged about 73 , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Henry II the Pious

12381241
''( years)'' , ,
Głogów
Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Andechs , Anne of Bohemia, Duchess of Silesia, Anne of Bohemia, 10 children , 9 April 1241
Legnickie Pole
Aged about 45 , Succession
Killed at the Battle of Legnica , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Bolesław II the Horned

12411241 , , /1225
Głogów
Son of Henry II the Pious and Anne of Bohemia, Duchess of Silesia, Anne of Bohemia , Hedwig of Anhalt, 7 children
Euphemia of Pomerania
Sophia of Dyhrn , 26 December 1278
Legnica , Succession
Deposed , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Konrad I of Masovia
12411243
''( years)'' , , /1188
Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo , Agafia of Rus, 10 children , 31 August 1247
Aged about 60 , Usurped , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Bolesław V the Chaste

12431279
''( years)'' , , 21 June 1226
Stary Korczyn
Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck , Kinga of Poland, no children , 7 December 1279
Kraków
Aged 52 , Restored as rightful Duke , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Leszek II the Black

12791288
''( years)'' , ,
Brześć Kujawski
Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław , Gryfina of Halych , 30 September 1288
Kraków
Aged about 47 , Succession , House of Piast, Piast , - , High Duke
Henryk IV Probus
English: ''Henry the Righteous''

12881290
''( years)'' , , /1258
Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia , Constance, Duchess of Wodzisław, Constance of Opole
Matilda of Brandenburg, Duchess of Poland, Matilda of Brandenburg , 23 June 1290
Wrocław
Aged about 32 , Succession , House of Piast, Piast


Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

, - , King
Przemysł II Przemysł II ( also given in English and Latin language, Latin as ''Premyslas'' or ''Premislaus'' or in Polish as '; 14 October 1257 – 8 February 1296) was the Duke of Poznań from 1257–1279, of Greater Poland from 1279 to 1296, of Kraków fr ...

English: Premislaus II
12901291 (as High Duke)
12951296 (as King)
''(1 year)'' , , , 14 October 1257
Poznań
Son of Przemysł I of Greater Poland and Elisabeth of Wrocław , Ludgarda of Mecklenburg
Richeza of Sweden, Duchess of Poland, Richeza of Sweden
Margaret of Brandenburg , 8 February 1296
Rogoźno
Aged 38 , Crowned king in 1295
Granted Poland its coat of arms
Assassinated , House of Piast, Piast


Přemyslid House

, - , King
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia

12961300 (as High Duke)
13001305 (as King)
''( years)'' , , , 27 September 1271
Prague
Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia , Judith of Habsburg
Elisabeth Richeza of Poland , 21 June 1305
Prague
Aged 33 , Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300 , House of Přemyslid, Přemyslid , - , ''(Uncrowned)''
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia

13051306
''(1 year)'' , , , 6 October 1289
Prague
Son of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg , Viola of Teschen , 4 August 1306
Olomouc
Aged 16 , Succession
Uncrowned and assassinated , House of Přemyslid, Přemyslid


House of Piast (restored)

, - , King
Ladislaus the Short

13061320
(as High Duke)
20 January 1320

2 March 1333
(as King)
''()'' , , ,
Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Euphrosyne of Opole , Jadwiga of Kalisz, 6 children , 2 March 1333
Kraków
Aged about 73 , Reunited the Kingdom of Poland after fragmentation
Crowned King in 1320 , House of Piast, Piast , - , King
Casimir III the Great Casimir III the Great (; 30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370) reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He also later became King of Ruthenia in 1340, retaining the title throughout the Galicia–Volhynia Wars. He was the last Polish king fr ...


25 April 1333

5 November 1370
''()'' , , , 30 April 1310
Kowal (town), Kowal
Son of
Władysław I the Elbow-high Władysław is a Polish given male name, cognate with Vladislav. The feminine form is Władysława, archaic forms are Włodzisław (male) and Włodzisława (female), and Wladislaw is a variation. These names may refer to: People Mononym * Włodzis ...
and Jadwiga of Kalisz , Aldona of Lithuania
Adelaide of Hesse
Christina Rokiczana
Hedwig of Sagan , 5 November 1370
Kraków
Aged 60 , Succession
Strengthened Poland's position in Europe
Died without a male heir
Last monarch from the Piast Dynasty , House of Piast, Piast


House of Anjou

, - , King
Louis I of Hungary, Louis

17 November 1370

10 September 1382
''()'' , , , 5 March 1326
Visegrád
Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary, Elizabeth of Poland , Margaret of Bohemia, Queen of Hungary, Margaret of Bohemia
Elizabeth of Bosnia , 10 September 1382
Trnava, Nagyszombat (Trnava)
Aged 56 , Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III, to the Polish throne , Capetian House of Anjou, Anjou , - , King
Jadwiga of Poland, Hedwig

16 October 1384

17 July 1399
''()'' , , , 3 October 137318 February 1374
Buda
Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia ,
Władysław II Jagiełło Jogaila (; 1 June 1434), later Władysław II Jagiełło (),Other names include (; ) (see also Names and titles of Władysław II Jagiełło) was Grand Duke of Lithuania beginning in 1377 and starting in 1386, becoming King of Poland as well. ...
(Jogaila) , 17 July 1399
Kraków
Aged 25 , Succeeded her father in Poland
Her husband was crowned ''jure uxoris'' on 4 March 1386 , Capetian House of Anjou, Anjou


House of Jagiellon

, - , King
Władysław II Jagiełło Jogaila (; 1 June 1434), later Władysław II Jagiełło (),Other names include (; ) (see also Names and titles of Władysław II Jagiełło) was Grand Duke of Lithuania beginning in 1377 and starting in 1386, becoming King of Poland as well. ...


4 March 1386

1 June 1434
''()'' , , , /1362
Vilnius
Son of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Algirdas and Uliana of Tver , Hedwig of Poland (Jadwiga)
Anna of Cilli
Elisabeth of Pilica
Sophia of Halshany , 1 June 1434
Gródek Jagielloński, Gródek
Aged 72–82 , Born a pagan
Previously
Grand Duke of Lithuania This is a list of Lithuanian monarchs who ruled Lithuania from its inception until the fall of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1795. The Lithuanian monarch bore the title of Grand duke, Grand Duke, with the exception of Mindaugas, who was crown ...

Crowned co-ruler with wife Hedwig of Poland, Hedwig
Longest-reigning Polish monarch , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
Władysław III of Poland, Władysław III
English: Ladislaus III of Varna

25 July 1434

10 November 1444
''()'' , , , 31 October 1424
Kraków
Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany , Unmarried and childless , 10 November 1444
Varna, Bulgaria, Varna
Aged 20 , Succeeded his father in Poland
Killed at the Battle of Varna
Interregnum until 1447 , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
Casimir IV Jagiellon, Casimir IV

25 June 1447

7 June 1492
''()'' , , , 30 November 1427
Kraków
Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany , Elizabeth of Austria (1436–1505), Elizabeth of Habsburg, 13 children , 7 June 1492
Grodno
Aged 64 , Succession
Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania
Divided the Polish-Lithuanian realm between John I Albert, John and Alexander Jagiellon, Alexander , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
John I Albert

23 September 1492

17 June 1501
''()'' , , , 27 December 1459
Kraków
Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon, Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria (1436–1505), Elizabeth of Habsburg , Unmarried and childless , 17 June 1501
Toruń
Aged 41 , Succeeded his father in Poland
Laid foundation for the Sejm and Senate of Poland, Senate (Polish Parliament) , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
Alexander Jagiellon, Alexander

12 December 1501

19 August 1506
''()'' , , , 5 August 1461
Kraków
Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon, Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria (1436–1505), Elizabeth of Habsburg , Helena of Moscow, childless , 19 August 1506
Vilnius
Aged 45 , Succeeded his brother in Poland
Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania
Buried in Lithuania , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
Sigismund I the Old Sigismund I the Old (, ; 1 January 1467 – 1 April 1548) was List of Polish monarchs, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1506 until his death in 1548. Sigismund I was a member of the Jagiellonian dynasty, the son of Casimir IV of P ...


8 December 1506

1 April 1548
''()'' , , , 1 January 1467
Kozienice
Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon, Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria (1436–1505), Elizabeth of Habsburg , Barbara Zápolya
Bona Sforza of Milan , 1 April 1548
Kraków
Aged 81 , Succeeded his brother in Poland and Lithuania , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon , - , King
Sigismund II Augustus Sigismund II Augustus (, ; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and t ...


1 April 1548

7 July 1572
''()'' , , , 1 August 1520
Kraków
Son of Sigismund I the Old, Sigismund I and Bona Sforza , Elizabeth of Austria (1526–1545), Elizabeth of Austria
Barbara Radziwiłł
Catherine of Austria, Queen of Poland, Catherine of Austria , 7 July 1572
Knyszyn
Aged 51 , Succession
Formation of the
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, also referred to as Poland–Lithuania or the First Polish Republic (), was a federation, federative real union between the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ...
with an
elective monarchy An elective monarchy is a monarchy ruled by a monarch who is elected, in contrast to a hereditary monarchy in which the office is automatically passed down as a family inheritance. The manner of election, the nature of candidate qualifications, ...

Last male member of the Jagiellonian Dynasty, died heirless , House of Jagiellon, Jagiellon


Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1569–1795

, - , King
Henry III of France, Henry

16 May 1573

12 May 1575
''()'' , , , 19 September 1551
Château de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau
Son of Henry II of France, Henry II and Catherine de' Medici , Louise of Lorraine, no children , 2 August 1589
Château de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud
Aged 37 , Elected
Left Poland in June 1574 to succeed his Charles IX of France, brother in France
Interregnum until 1575 , House of Valois, Valois , - , Queen
Anna Jagiellon, Anna

15 December 1575

19 August 1587
''(de facto)''
''()''

9 September 1596
''(de jure)''
''()'' , , , 18 October 1523
Kraków
Daughter of Sigismund I the Old, Sigismund I and Bona Sforza ,
Stephen Báthory Stephen Báthory (; ; ; 27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576–1586) as well as Prince of Transylvania, earlier Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576). The son of Stephen VIII Báthory ...
, no children , 9 September 1596
Warsaw
Aged 72 , Elected co-monarch with
Stephen Báthory Stephen Báthory (; ; ; 27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576–1586) as well as Prince of Transylvania, earlier Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576). The son of Stephen VIII Báthory ...

Sole ruler until Báthory's arrival and coronation in May 1576
Ruled after husband's death until her nephew was elected , Jagiellonian Dynasty, Jagiellon , - , King
Stephen Báthory Stephen Báthory (; ; ; 27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576–1586) as well as Prince of Transylvania, earlier Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576). The son of Stephen VIII Báthory ...


1 May 1576

12 December 1586
''()'' , , , 27 September 1533
Șimleu Silvaniei, Szilágysomlyó
Son of Stephen Báthory of Somlyó and Catherine Telegdi , Anna Jagiellon, no children , 12 December 1586
Grodno
Aged 53 , Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon
Prince of Transylvania , Báthory family, Báthory , - , King
Sigismund III Vasa, Sigismund III

19 August 1587

30 April 1632
''()'' , , , 20 June 1566
Gripsholm Castle, Gripsholm
Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon , Anne of Austria, Queen of Poland, Anne of Austria
Constance of Austria , 30 April 1632
Warsaw
Aged 65 , Elected, nephew of Anna Jagiellon
Transferred capital from Kraków to Warsaw
Hereditary King of Sweden until deposition in 1599 , House of Vasa, Vasa , - , King
Władysław IV
also Ladislaus IV

8 November 1632

20 May 1648
''()'' , , , 9 June 1595
Łobzów
Son of Sigismund III Vasa, Sigismund III and Anne of Austria, Queen of Poland, Anne of Austria , Cecilia Renata of Austria
Marie Louise Gonzaga , 20 May 1648
Merkinė
Aged 52 , Elective succession
Also titular King of Sweden and elected Tsar of Russia (1610–1613) when the Polish army captured Moscow , House of Vasa, Vasa , - , King
John II Casimir

20 November 1648

16 September 1668
''()'' , , , 22 March 1609
Kraków
Son of Sigismund III Vasa, Sigismund III and Constance of Austria , Marie Louise Gonzaga
Claudine Françoise Mignot (morganatic marriage) , 16 December 1672
Nevers
Aged 63 , Elective succession, succeeded half-brother
Previously a Cardinal (Catholic Church), cardinal
Titular King of Sweden
Abdication, Abdicated , House of Vasa, Vasa , - , King
Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki, Michael I

19 June 1669

10 November 1673
''()'' , , , 31 May 1640
Bilyi Kamin, Biały Kamień
Son of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki and Gryzelda Konstancja Wiśniowiecka, Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska , Eleonora Maria of Austria, no children , 10 November 1673
Lwów
Aged 33 , Elected
Born into nobility of mixed heritage, the son of a military commander and governor , Wiśniowiecki , - , King
John III Sobieski

19 May 1674

17 June 1696
''()'' , , , 17 August 1629
Olesko Castle, Olesko
Son of Jakub Sobieski and Teofila Zofia Sobieska, Teofila Zofia , Marie Casimire Louise de La Grange d'Arquien, Marie Casimire d'Arquien, 13 children , 17 June 1696
Wilanów Palace, Wilanów
Aged 66 , Elected
Born into nobility
A successful military commander , House of Sobieski, Sobieski , - , King
Augustus the Strong, Augustus II

15 September 1697

1706
''(1st reign, 9 years)'' , , , 12 May 1670
Dresden
Son of John George III, Elector of Saxony, John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark , Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife , 1 February 1733
Warsaw
Aged 62 , Elected
Previously Elector and ruler of Saxony
Dethroned by Stanislaus I in 1706 during the Great Northern War , House of Wettin, Wettin , - , King
Stanislaus I

12 July 1704

8 July 1709
''(1st reign, )'' , , , 20 October 1677
Lwów
Son of Rafał Leszczyński (1650–1703), Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Leszczyńska (1660–1727), Anna Jabłonowska , Catherine Opalińska, 2 children , 23 February 1766
Lunéville
Aged 88 , Usurped
Nominated as ruler in 1704, crowned in 1705 and deposed predecessor in 1706
Exiled in 1709 , House of Leszczyński, Leszczyński , - , King
Augustus the Strong, Augustus II

8 July 1709

1 February 1733
''(2nd reign, )'' , , , 12 May 1670
Dresden
Son of John George III, Elector of Saxony, John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark , Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife , 1 February 1733
Warsaw
Aged 62 , Restored , House of Wettin, Wettin , - , King
Stanislaus I

12 September 1733

26 January 1736
''(2nd reign, )'' , , , 20 October 1677
Lwów
Son of Rafał Leszczyński (1650–1703), Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Leszczyńska (1660–1727), Anna Jabłonowska , Catherine Opalińska, 2 children, including Marie Leszczyńska, Marie, Queen of France , 23 February 1766
Lunéville
Aged 88 , Elected
His election sparked the War of the Polish Succession
Deposed by Augustus III of Poland, Augustus III in 1736 , House of Leszczyński, Leszczyński , - , King
Augustus III

5 October 1733

5 October 1763
''(30 years)'' , , , 17 October 1696
Dresden
Son of Augustus II the Strong and Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, Christiane Eberhardine , Maria Josepha of Austria, 16 children, including Maria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of France, Maria Josepha, Dauphine of France , 5 October 1763
Dresden
Aged 66 , Usurped
Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734
Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736 , House of Wettin, Wettin , - , King
Stanisław II Augustus, Stanislaus II Augustus

7 September 1764

25 November 1795
''()'' , , , 17 January 1732
Wołczyn
Son of Stanisław Poniatowski (1676–1762), Stanisław Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska (1700–1759), Konstancja Czartoryska , Unmarried, had illegitimate children including with Catherine the Great, Empress Catherine II of Russia , 1 February 1798
Saint Petersburg
Aged 66 , Elected
Born into nobility
Last King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, his reign ended in the Partitions of Poland , House of Poniatowski, Poniatowski


Duchy of Warsaw, 1807–1815

, - , Grand Duke
Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, Frederick Augustus I

9 June 1807

22 May 1815
''()'' , , , 23 December 1750
Dresden
Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria, Maria Antonia of Bavaria , Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld,
1 daughter , 5 May 1827
Dresden
Aged 76 , Treaties of Tilsit
Designated as a king of Poland by General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland, 1812. , House of Wettin, Wettin


Polish States 1815-1918

See the List of rulers of Partitioned Poland


Family tree of the rulers of Poland


Pretenders to the Polish throne

* Vratislaus II of Bohemia (1085–1092) * Rudolf I of Bohemia (1306–1307) * Henry of Bohemia (1307–1310) * John of Bohemia (1310–1335) * Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria (1916–1918) * Kiril, Prince of Preslav (1916–1918)


Modern

* Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (2012–), disputed * Rüdiger, Margrave of Meissen (2012–2022), disputed * Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (2022–), disputed. Son of Rüdiger


Not recognized royal elections

* Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, Maxmilian II Habsburg (1575–1576), ''See: 1576 Free election'' * Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria, Maxmilian III Habsburg (1587–1589), ''See: 1587 Free election'' * François Louis, Prince of Conti, François Louis de Bourbon (1697), ''See: 1697 Free election''


See also

* Coronations in Poland * Dukes of Greater Poland * Dukes of Masovia * Dukes of Pomerania * Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca * Dukes of Silesia * Kings of Poland family tree * List of rulers of Partitioned Poland * List of Galician rulers * List of heads of state of Poland * List of Poles#Royalty, List of Poles * List of Polish consorts * List of prime ministers of Poland * Princely Houses of Poland * Polish people, Poles


References


Bibliography

* Duczmal M., Jagiellonowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1996. * Dybkowska A., Żaryn J., Żaryn M., Polskie dzieje. Od czasów najdawniejszych po współczesność, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1995. * Józef Andrzej Gierowski, Gierowski J.A., Rzeczpospolita w dobie złotej wolności (1648–1763), Kraków 2001. * Stanisław Grodziski, Grodziski S., Polska w czasach przełomu (1764–1815), Kraków 2001. * Grodziski S., Porównawcza historia ustrojów państwowych, Kraków 1998. * Stanisław Grzybowski, Grzybowski S., Dzieje Polski i Litwy (1506–1648), Kraków 2000. * Morby J.E., Dynastie świata. Przewodnik chronologiczny i genealogiczny, Kraków 1995, s. 261–263. * Jerzy Wyrozumski, Wyrozumski J., Dzieje Polski piastowskiej (VIII w.-1370), Kraków 1999. * Benedykt Zientara, Zientara B., Henryk Brodaty i jego czasy, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1997.


External links

* Górczyk, Wojciech
"Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów"
. Histmag.org. June 14, 2009. {{Poland topics Polish monarchs, Polish history timelines, Monarchs Lists of monarchs in Europe, Poland Lists of Polish people, Monarchs lt:Lenkijos karalius