The first famous leaders of the Polans were the legendary figures of Popiel I and Popiel II. They ruled a group of the Polans who called themselves Goplanie, the name came from Lake Goplo around which they settled. Their main settlement was Kruszwica. According to legend, Popiel II was a cruel and tyrannical ruler who murdered his own relatives in order to secure his ruling position. As a result of his wicked life his end came strangely – he was eaten by mice. His legend ends with the center of the Polans shifting from Kruszwica to Gniezno and a new ruler rising from the peasants of the area. The new prince was Piast who began the first Polish
ruling dynasty. The leaders after Piast were his son Ziemowit, then grandson Leszek and then great-grandson Ziemomysl. Ziemomysl was the father of Mieszko I, who was baptized in 966 A.D. into the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
There are many folk legends concerning the Polans and their first rulers; and one of them is a tale which concerns the ascendance of Piast to the ruling position of the newly developing country.
The legend tells of two angels who, disguised as travellers, went to meet with the prince of the Polans. When they reached the city gates they were driven away by guards who told them that the prince was not interested in what news they had to bring him. Leaving the area around the city and guided by the Spirit of God, the angels continued their journey until they reached a cluster of huts. Upon reaching this destination, they selected one of the small cottages and requested entrance in order to rest from their travels. The owner of the hut was a man named Piast, a poor wheel-maker who lived with his wife and one young son. Knowing nothing of his guests’ spiritual powers, Piast invited them into his home as he would any other visitors and generously treated them to all that he had. The cordial and amiable atmosphere of Piast’s home impressed the two angels, and before leaving their host’s company, they foretold that great events would occur in the family because of its openheartedness. Because his modesty was as great as his generosity, Piast thought nothing of these predictions. In later years, however, he saw his son become a famous and brave leader who became the ruler of his own people and established the first Polish dynasty.
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