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 ...

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, , is a country in Central Europe. Poland is divided into Voivodeships of Poland, sixteen voivodeships and is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union (EU), with over 38 mill ...

. 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 Casimir III the Great ( pl, Kazimierz III Wielki; 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, and fought to retain the title in the Galicia-Volhynia Wars. He w ...

. Branches of the Piast dynasty continued to rule in the Duchy of Masovia and in the

Duchies of Silesia The Duchies of Silesia were the more than twenty divisions of the region of Silesia formed between the 12th and 14th centuries by the breakup of the Duchy of Silesia, then part of the Kingdom of Poland. In 1335, the duchies were ceded to the King ...

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 ...

. The

Jagiellonian The Jagiellonian dynasty (, pl, dynastia jagiellońska), otherwise the Jagiellon dynasty ( pl, dynastia Jagiellonów), the House of Jagiellon ( pl, Dom Jagiellonów), or simply the Jagiellons ( pl, Jagiellonowie), was the name assumed by a cad ...

kings after

John I Albert John I Albert ( pl, Jan I Olbracht; 27 December 1459 – 17 June 1501) was King of Poland from 1492 until his death in 1501 and Duke of Głogów (Glogau) from 1491 to 1498. He was the fourth Polish sovereign from the Jagiellonian dynasty, the so ...

were also descended in the female line from Casimir III's daughter.

Origin of the name

The early dukes and kings of Poland are said to have regarded themselves as descendants of the semi-legendary Piast the Wheelwright (''Piast Kołodziej''), 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 ''Gallus Anonymus'' ( Polonized variant: ''Gall '') is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of '' Gesta principum Polonorum'' (Deeds of the Princes of the Poles), composed in Latin between 1112 and 1118. ''Gallus'' is generally reg ...

. 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 city ...

at the stronghold of Giecz. Shortly afterwards they relocated their residence to

Gniezno Gniezno (; german: Gnesen; la, Gnesna) is a city in central-western Poland, about east of Poznań. Its population in 2021 was 66,769, making it the sixth-largest city in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. One of the Piast dynasty's chief cities, ...

, 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 t ...

, Bohemia 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, and the Hungarian

Spiš Spiš (Latin: ''Cips/Zepus/Scepus/Scepusia'', german: Zips, hu, Szepesség/Szepes, pl, Spisz) is a region in north-eastern Slovakia, with a very small area in south-eastern Poland (14 villages). Spiš is an informal designation of the territory ...

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 Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, t ...

or a

king King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the ...

, 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 Casimir I the Restorer (; 25 July 1016 – 28 November 1058), a member of the Piast dynasty, was the duke of Poland from 1040 until his death. Casimir was the son of Mieszko II Lambert and Richeza of Lotharingia. He is known as the Restorer bec ...

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 no ...

trying to protect the Polish state by treaties, oath of allegiances and marriage alliances with the Imperial

Ottonian The Ottonian dynasty (german: Ottonen) was a Saxon dynasty of German monarchs (919–1024), named after three of its kings and Holy Roman Emperors named Otto, especially its first Emperor Otto I. It is also known as the Saxon dynasty after the ...

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 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 of ...

, later also the

State of the Teutonic Order The State of the Teutonic Order (german: Staat des Deutschen Ordens, ; la, Civitas Ordinis Theutonici; lt, Vokiečių ordino valstybė; pl, Państwo zakonu krzyżackiego), also called () or (), was a medieval Crusader state, located in Cent ...

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 partitioned among the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Empire of Austria. The state was founded by Lit ...

were mighty neighbours. Poland1020-c

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 o ...

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 River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 159 ...

, 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 withi ...

. Numerous dukes like

Mieszko III the Old Mieszko III the Old (c. 1126/27 – 13 March 1202), of the Piast dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death. He was the fourth and second surviving son of Duke Bolesław ...

, Władysław III Spindleshanks or Leszek I the White were crowned, only to be overthrown shortly afterwards. The senior branch of the Silesian Piasts, descendants of

Bolesław III Wrymouth Bolesław III Wrymouth ( pl, Bolesław III Krzywousty; 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 betwee ...

's eldest son Duke

Władysław II the Exile : ''This article refers to the 12th century Polish monarch. For the 14th century founder of the Jagiellon dynasty, see Jogaila, and for other monarchs with similar names, see Ladislaus II (disambiguation).'' Vladislaus II the Exile ( pl, Władys� ...

, 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 Bo ...

. 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

Masovia Mazovia or Masovia ( pl, Mazowsze) is a historical region in mid-north-eastern Poland. It spans the North European Plain, roughly between Łódź and Białystok, with Warsaw being the unofficial capital and largest city. Throughout the centuri ...

n branch of the Piasts became extinct with the death of Duke

Janusz III Janusz III of Masovia (pl: ''Janusz III mazowiecki''; ca. 27 September 1502 – 9/10 March 1526), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast in the Masovian branch. He was a Duke of Czersk, Warsaw, Liw, Zakroczym and Nur during 1503- ...

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 membe ...

died in 1707 and is buried in

Trzebnica Abbey Sanctuary of St. Jadwiga in Trzebnica, also known as Trzebnica Abbey, Was a convent for Cistercian nuns in Trzebnica, north of Wrocław, in Silesia, Poland, founded in 1203. It was abandoned for a few decades in the 19th century, and then was taken ...

. 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 Przemysł II ( also given in English and 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 from 1290 to 1291 ...

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 List of Polish monarchs, Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I of Poland, Mieszko I (c. 930–992). The Poland during the Piast dynasty, Piasts' royal rule i ...

. Górczyk, Wojciech, "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" http://histmag.org/?id=3057&act=ac The

Silesian Piasts The Silesian Piasts were the elder of four lines of the Polish Piast dynasty beginning with Władysław II the Exile (1105–1159), eldest son of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth, Bolesław III of Poland. By Bolesław's Testament of Bolesław III Krzy ...

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 Pi ...

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 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 (16t ...

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 , 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 Siemowit (Polish pronunciation: �ɛˈmɔvit also Ziemowit �ɛˈmɔvit was, according to the chronicles of Gallus Anonymus, the son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha. He is considered to be the first ruler of the Piast dynasty.K. Jasiński ...

, 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 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 , 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 = Koronamala

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 prob ...

, nickname3 = , native3 = Koronamala

King , life3 = ca. 990 – 10/11 May 1034 , reignstart3 = 1025 , reignend3 = 1031 , notes3 = Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda of Lusatia , family3 = Piast , image3 = Mieszko II.jpg , alt3 = , name4 =

Bezprym Bezprym ( hu, Veszprém; 986–1032) was the duke of Poland from 1031 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Bolesław the Brave, but was deprived of the succession by his father, who around 1001 sent him to Italy in order to become a m ...

, 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 Oda of Haldensleben (c. 955/60 – 1023) was Duchess of the Polans by marriage to Mieszko I of Poland. Life Oda was the eldest child of Dietrich of Haldensleben, Margrave of the North March. She grew up in the monastery of Kalbe, near to Milde ...

, family6 = Piast , image6 = Monarch-emp.png , alt6 = , name7 =

, 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 =

, 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 = Koronamala

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 =

, 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 "an ...

, 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 mo ...

(''disputed'')
First jointly with Władysław I 1098-1102 , family12 = Piast , image12 = Zbigniew.JPG , alt12 = , name13 =

, 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 Bolesław IV the Curly (; 1122 – 5 January 1173), a member of the Piast dynasty, was Duke of Masovia from 1138 and High Duke of Poland from 1146 until his death. Early life Bolesław was the third son of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland ...

, 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 Salomea of Berg (german: Salome von Berg, pl, Salomea z Bergu; – 27 July 1144) was a German noblewoman and, by marriage with Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth in 1115, High Duchess of Poland until her husband's death in 1138. Life Salomea was th ...

Also Duke of Masovia , family2 = Piast , image2 = Jan Matejko, Bolesław IV Kędzierzawy.jpg , alt2 = , name3 =

, 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 , 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 =

, 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 , 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 Helena of Znojmo ( cs, Helena Znojemská; pl, Helena znojemska; c. 1141–1202/1206), was a Bohemian princess, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty. She was the daughter of Duke Conrad II of Znojmo and his Serbian wife Maria of Rascia (daughter of ...

Also Duke of Sandomierz , family7 = Piast , image7 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Biały.jpg , alt7 = , name8 =

, 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 =

, 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 , 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 Greater Poland, Duchess of Greater Pola ...

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
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 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 , 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 Konrad I of Masovia (ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 1247), from the Polish Piast dynasty, was the sixth Duke of Masovia and Kuyavia from 1194 until his death as well as High Duke of Poland from 1229 to 1232 and again from 1241 to 1243. Life Konrad w ...

, 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 Henry II the Pious ( pl, Henryk II Pobożny; 1196 – 9 April 1241) was Duke of Silesia and High Duke of Poland as well as Duke of South-Greater Poland from 1238 until his death. Between 1238 and 1239 he also served as regent of Sandomierz and ...

, 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 Hedwig of Silesia ( pl, Święta Jadwiga Śląska), also Hedwig of Andechs (german: Heilige Hedwig von Andechs, la, Hedvigis; 1174 – 15 October 1243), a member of the Bavarian comital House of Andechs, was Duchess of Silesia from 1201 and o ...

(Saint Hedwig of Silesia)
Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland
Fell at

Battle of Legnica The Battle of Legnica ( pl, bitwa pod Legnicą), also known as the Battle of Liegnitz (german: Schlacht von Liegnitz) or Battle of Wahlstatt (german: Schlacht bei Wahlstatt), was a battle between the Mongol Empire and combined European forces t ...

, family20 = Piast , image20 = Henryk II Pobożny tomb effigy.PNG , alt20 = , name21 = Bolesław II Rogatka , 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 =

, 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 and Constance of Wrocław , family24 = Piast , image24 = Jan Matejko, Leszek Czarny.jpg , alt24 = , name25 = Bolesław II of Masovia , 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 hig ...

and Judyta of Masovia
Duke of Lower Silesia , family26 = Piast , image26 = Henryk IV Probus tomb effigy.PNG , alt26 = , name27 = Bolesław II of Masovia , 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 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: Famous people Mononym *W ...

, 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 , 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 = Koronamala

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 =

, nickname2 = pl, Kazimierz III Wielki , native2 = Koronamala

King , life2 = – , reignstart2 = 1333 , reignend2 = 1370 , notes2 = Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz
Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs , family2 = Piast , image2 = Casimir the Great by Leopold Löffler.PNG , alt2 =

Female Piasts

Queen consorts

Świętosława Świętosława was a Polish princess, the daughter of Mieszko I of Poland and sister of Bolesław I of Poland. According to German chroniclers, this princess, whose name is not given, was married first to Eric the Victorious of Sweden and the ...

, supposed daughter of

Mieszko I of Poland 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 a ...

, 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 Norway ...

, 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 , establishe ...

and

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a 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 Jan Mayen and t ...

* Świętosława of Poland, daughter of

Queen consort of Bohemia This is a list of the royal consorts of the rulers of Bohemia. The first Duchess of Bohemia (''česká kněžna'') was St. Ludmila, while the first Queen of Bohemia (''česká královna'') was Świętosława of Poland. Some of them were (like ...

* Richeza of Poland, Queen of Sweden, daughter of

, Queen consort of Sweden, mother of Canute V of Denmark, King of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk, Queen consort of Denmark *

Richeza of Poland, Queen of Castile Richeza of Poland (also known as Richeza of Silesia; pl, Ryksa śląska; c. 1140 – 16 June 1185) was a Polish noblewoman of the House of Piast in the Silesian branch. By her marriages she was Queen consort of Galicia, León and Castile, Co ...

, daughter of

, Queen consort of León 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 This is a list of the queens consort and kings consort of the Kingdom of Castile, and later, Crown of Castile. ''It is, in part, a continuation of the list of Asturian royal consorts and the list of Leonese royal consorts''. Countesses Ba ...

, Empress of All Spains * Salomea of Poland, daughter of Leszek I the White, Queen consort of

Halych Halych ( uk, Га́лич ; ro, Halici; pl, Halicz; russian: Га́лич, Galich; german: Halytsch, ''Halitsch'' or ''Galitsch''; yi, העליטש) is a historic city on the Dniester River in western Ukraine. The city gave its name to the ...

Fenenna of Kuyavia Fenenna of Kuyavia (also known as of Inowrocław; pl, Fenenna kujawska or inowrocławska; c. 1276–1295) was Queen of Hungary by marriage to King Andrew III. Fenenna was the daughter of Duke Ziemomysł of Inowrocław by his wife Salomea, daug ...

, daughter of Ziemomysł of Kuyavia,

Queen consort of Hungary This is a list of the queens consorts of Hungary ( hu, királyné), the consorts of the kings of Hungary. After the extinction of the Árpád dynasty and later the Angevin dynasty, the title of King of Hungary has been held by a monarch outsi ...

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 conso ...

, daughter of

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 * Viola of Cieszyn, daughter of Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn, 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 u ...

, daughter of Casimir of Bytom, Queen consort of Hungary * Beatrice of Silesia, daughter of

Bolko I the Strict Bolko (Bolesław) I the Strict also known as the Raw or of Jawor ( pl, Bolko I Surowy or ''Srogi'' or ''Jaworski''; german: Bolko I. von Schweidnitz; 1252/56 – 9 November 1301), was a Duke of Lwówek (Löwenberg) 1278–81 (with his brother as c ...

, Queen of the Romans * Hedwig of Kalisz, daughter of Bolesław the Pious, Queen consort of Poland, mother of

King of Poland and Elizabeth of Poland Queen consort of Hungary * Elizabeth of Poland, daughter of

, Queen consort of Hungary, mother of

Louis I Louis I may refer to: * Louis the Pious, Louis I of France, "the Pious" (778–840), king of France and Holy Roman Emperor * Louis I, Landgrave of Thuringia (ruled 1123–1140) * Ludwig I, Count of Württemberg (c. 1098–1158) * Louis I of Bloi ...

, 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 = , capit ...

and

Charles I of Hungary Charles I, also known as Charles Robert ( hu, Károly Róbert; hr, Karlo Robert; sk, Karol Róbert; 128816 July 1342) was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1308 to his death. He was a member of the Capetian House of Anjou and the only son of ...

, King of Hungary and Croatia * Anna of Świdnica, daughter of

Henry II, Duke of Świdnica Henry II of Świdnica, ( pl, Henryk II Świdnicki, cs, Jindřich Svídnický, german: Heinrich II. von Schweidnitz; – ), was a Duke of Świdnica from 1326 until his death (with his brother as co-ruler). He was the second and younger son of Du ...

, Queen consort of Germany, of Bohemia and

Holy Roman Empress The Holy Roman Empress or Empress of the Holy Roman Empire (''Kaiserin des Heiligen Römischen Reiches'') was the wife or widow of the Holy Roman Emperor. The elective dignity of Holy Roman emperor was restricted to males only, but some 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 and of Bohemia *

Hedwig of Sagan Hedwig of Sagan ( pl, Jadwiga żagańska; before 1350 – 27 March 1390) was Queen of Poland as the fourth wife of Casimir III. Casimir's lack of male heir spelled the end of the Piast Dynasty in the Kingdom of Poland. After Casimir's death in 1 ...

, 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 Żaga� ...

, Queen consort of Poland

Priesthood

Archbishops

Bolesław of Toszek Bolesław of Toszek ( hu, Boleszláv; 1276/78 – December 1328), was a Duke of Toszek from 1303 to his death (after 1315 only formally) and Archbishop of Esztergom from 1321. Early career Bolesław was born around 1278 into the Silesian Pia ...

– 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 Da ...

Władysław of Wroclaw Władysław of Salzburg, also known as Władysław of Wrocław/Breslau ( pl, Władysław Wrocławski) or Władysław of Silesia (german: Wladislaus von Schlesien, cs, Vladislav Slezský; – 27 April 1270), a member of the Silesian Piasts, was ...

– 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 – Bishop of

Nitra Nitra (; also known by other #Etymology, alternative names) is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra (river), Nitra. It is located 95 km east of Bratislava. With a population of about ...

and of

Veszprém Veszprém (; german: Weißbrunn, sl, Belomost) is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county ( comitatus or 'megye') o ...

* 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. Loc ...

, Kamień and

Chełmno Chełmno (; older en, Culm; formerly ) is a town in northern Poland near the Vistula river with 18,915 inhabitants as of December 2021. It is the seat of the Chełmno County in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Due to its regional importa ...

, 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 Casimir III of Płock (pl: ''Kazimierz III płocki''; 10 June 1448/8 June 1449 - 9 June 1480), was a Polish prince and member of the Masovian branch of the House of Piast. He was a Duke of Warsaw, Nur, Łomża, Liw, Ciechanów, Wyszogród and Za ...

– Bishop of Płock

Family tree of Piasts

References

External links

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

Origin of the name

History

Coat of arms

Piast rulers

Legendary dukes of the Polans

Dukes and Kings of Poland

High Dukes of Poland (Fragmentation of the Kingdom)

Kings of Poland (Reunification attempts)

Kings of Poland (Reunited Kingdom)

Female Piasts

Queen consorts

Priesthood

Archbishops

Bishops

Family tree of Piasts

See also

References

External links