The Latin Rite

To solve this problem, Mieszko I looked to the south, where a Czech state existed under the rule of Boleslav I. This Slavic nation was already Christian, thus the religion would come to Mieszko’s people from Slavic brothers and not Germanic neighbors. In 965, Mieszko married Dobrawa, the daughter of Duke Boleslav. Approximately one year later, the Polish leader was baptized into the Latin Rite of the Western Church (the religion of his wife). Immediately after his baptism, Mieszko I brought to Poland Western priests and teachers to lay down the foundations of the Roman Catholic faith on Polish soil. Theirs was the job of bringing the new faith to the people; and although they would encounter minor setbacks and some difficulties, because the people held to polytheism, the teachers would succeed in planting the seeds of Christianity throughout the nation.

Boleslaus I (The Brave), 992-1025, began a policy of expansion that stretched Poland’s borders and Latin Rite Catholicism. After Mieszko II, 1025-1034, entered into war with Germany and lost territory forever, Casimir I (The Restorer) 1034-1058, tried to re-organize the nation. He ordered convents, monasteries and churches to be built to insure the stability and continuity of the Catholic Faith.

Boleslaus II (The Bold) 1058-1079, supported Pope Gregory VII, but had the Bishop of Krakow (St. Stanislaus) put to death as a traitor. The king was forced into exile and Ladislaus I Herman, 1079-1102, became the ruler of Poland. He was an ineffective king and after him, two brothers, Zbigniew and Boleslaus, ruled jointly from 1102-1107.

During the Middle Ages, all countries, including the Holy Roman Empire and Poland, went through periods of division. Boleslaus III, 1102-1138, divided his country among his sons and a period of decentralization developed.

Casimir II (The Just), 1177-1194, initiated a more active foreign involvement for Poland. He made succession to the throne a hereditary matter and he instituted family last names and coats-of-arms.

The following kings were short-term ineffectual rulers: Leszek the White, 1202-1227; Ladislaus III (Spindleshanks), 1227-1229; Conrad of Mazovia, 1229-1232; Henry I (The Bearded) 1232-1238.

Henry II (The Pious), 1239-1241, once again placed Poland under the protection of the Holy See. He would have been a strong and able leader, but the Mongols attacked and Henry was killed. Boleslaus V (The Chaste), 1243-1279, married Kinga, daughter of the Hungarian King Beli IV. Her exemplary life caused her to be beatified by Rome after her death. During the reign of Boleslaus V, Stanislaus, Bishop of Krakow, was canonized as the first Polish saint in 1253.

Leszek (The Black), 1279-1288, ruled during a period of both internal and external strife. Henry Probus, 1288-1290, Przemyslaus II, 1290-1291, and Wenceslaus II and III had short reigns. Ladislaus (The Short), 1306-1333, managed to reunite the warring duchies into a kingdom.

Casimir III (The Great), 1333-1370, expanded Polish interests over Western Europe and Krakow became the site of an international congress. Under his rule, the first university was founded in Krakow in 1364, and new schools, libraries, villages, and fortresses were built. When he died, the Piast Dynasty ended. The next king, Louis of Hungary, 1370-1382, did nothing specific to strengthen Poland.

Early History | Beginnings of Christianity | Early Leadership | First Rulers | The Latin Rite | A New Dynasty | The Queen of Poland

The End of the Monarchy | The Partition | Cultural Leaders | Poland Now