Mieszko I, the first historical ruler of Polan, has sat on the throne of Poland since around 960. He came from the Piast dynasty and was the boy of Semomysl. His regulation was a continuation of the expansion policy conducted by his ancestors, who ruled the pagan principality in the area of present-day Wielkopolska. Thanks to strategical alliances and military forces, they managed to subdue the Kuyaw area, and possibly the east Pomerania and Mazovia.
During his reign, Mieszko I focused on expanding his influence on Western Pomerania, which he yet managed to conquer all the way to the line of the Odra River. Later in his life, he directed his war interests south, where he undertook a conflict with the Czech Republic. As a result, he managed to win Silesia, and most likely besides Małopolska.
Mieszko I was the father of Bolesław I Chrobry and a fewer another children, including Świętosławy-Sigrdy, Lives, Lambert and Świętobek. His brother was Worship, and through his daughter St. He died on 25 May 992, leaving a lasting trace in Poland's past as the founder of the Polish state.
The beginnings of the reign Lives I in Poland
The past of ascending to the throne Lives I and its ancestors is unclear. Only the names of his father Siemomyśl, his grandpa Leszek and his great-grandfather Siemowitz are known, but the details about them are scarce. besides early years of life Lives stay covered in mystery. Mieszko I was most likely born between 930 and 940. There are messages according to which he was blind by the age of seven, but these reports are not confirmed and may be symbolic, referring to the pagan period of his life.
The first certain information about Mieszk appears in 963, erstwhile both the name of Poland and the name of the prince appears in the chronicle of Saxon Widukind of Korbei. At the time, the Polan State was rather extended for tribal structures. Initially it focused on Wielkopolska, but in time it was joined by fresh areas specified as Mazovia around 960, Pomerania Gdańsk and West between 967 and 972, followed by Małopolska and Silesia in 990. Mieszko I besides briefly assumed power over the Czerwieński Gates, which he lost in 981.
Before Christianity was adopted in 966, Mieszko I had to face conflicts with the Velets. After establishing an alliance with the Czechs, he managed to win in these struggles.
Baptism of Poland as a turning point in life Lives I
In 965 Mieszko I married Dobrawa, a princess from Bohemia, a country professing Christianity. This event opened the way for Poland to accept the Christian faith. This decision was not simply a momentary political manoeuvre designed to teardrop the alliance between the Britons and the Czech Republic, but had a crucial impact on the future of the state. Mieszko, striving to unite the country, wanted to strengthen his power, and Christianity, recognizing authority as a gift from God, made all opposition to it by an act of heresy and even rebellion against God, for which the death punishment threatened.
At that time, the church was a key function in Europe, and the clergy, as the most educated social layer, were irreplaceable in the management of the state. Polish baptism was besides of strategical importance due to the fact that it prevented German Christian rulers from justifying raids on Polish lands. In doing so, baptism contributed to the global safety of the young state. The establishment of a bishopric in Poznań in 968, straight subject to the Holy See, alternatively than the Archbishop of Magdeburg, strengthened Poland's sovereignty. Jordan was the first bishop of Poznań, most likely from Italy or Lorraine.
The Lives’ decision to accept Christianity meant taking from the subjects the right to pagan beliefs that had been cultivated for hundreds of years. Despite the possible hazard of rebellion, tragic events have not occurred, which shows the strong position of the prince in Poland. However, it cannot be ruled out that any opposed the fresh faith, possibly seeking an alliance with the pagan Britons. In the end, however, thanks to cooperation with the Czech Republic, Poland defeated its opponents.
Conflicts Lives I with Germany
At the time of Poland's baptism, Germany was a country of considerable strength. The acceptance of Christianity by Poland most likely took place after the approval of the German ruler Otto I. Mieszko I, despite paying tribute to the emperor from parts of his lands, had ambitious plans for expansion, including the quest to integrate Western Pomerania into his state.
In the summertime of 972, tensions occurred between Poland and Germany. At that time Otton I was in Italy, and his margrave, Hodon, headed the troops eastward. alternatively of attacking straight the main Polish castles, his forces met with the Army Lives close Cedynia. It seems that Hodon's goal was to prevent Polish expansion in Pomerania. On June 24, the conflict of Cedynia took place, which was the first documented armed clash in Poland's history. Thanks to the clever maneuver of Worship, the brother Lives, Hodon's troops were defeated. According to the chronicler's account, only Hodon and Thietmar's father, siegfried, survived. Otton I, while in Italy, was not well informed of the actions of his margrave. He sent messengers with a call to halt fighting, and after examining the case in 973 he demanded a hostage from the home – his firstborn son, Bolesław.
After Otto I's death, May 7, 973, relations between Poland and Germany were inactive tense. Bolesław most likely returned to the country during this period, and the armed conflicts about Pomerania continued. In 979 another conflict took place, which Germany lost again. However, the conflict ended erstwhile Mieszko I married Oda, the daughter of Margrave Theodoryk. Although this matrimony was met with disapproval of the Church due to the fact that Oda was a nun, political considerations yet prevailed. As part of the wedding ceremonies, Mieszko freed German prisoners.
The end of the fighting with Germany was besides the consequence of the West Slavic peoples' uprising in east Germany in 981. interior turmoil allowed for the stabilisation of Polish-German relations and contributed to the consolidation of peace between both countries.
Further past Lives I
After conditions stabilised in the west, there were changes in the east. In 981, Włodzimierz I Wielki, the Duke of Russia, conquered the Red Castles, which were a key point on the trade way connecting Kiev and Krakow, and from there with Prague. It is not certain erstwhile these areas were in the hands of Lives I – it is possible that this happened at the beginning of his rule, although he might as well have taken over after his father, Semiomyśl.
In 990, an armed conflict broke out with the Czech Republic, with which the alliance did not last long after the death of Goody in 977. In this conflict, the greats supported the Czechs, while the Germans, erstwhile opponents, sided with Poland. At the request of the House, Empress Teofano, holding power after Otto II's death, erstwhile Otto III was inactive a child, she sent him support in the form of 4 knighthood troops. However, any of them made an agreement with Bolesław, the ruler of the Czech Republic, which resulted in any returning home and others being taken hostage to force peace on Mieszko. Mieszko did not bend, and without German support he joined his country Małopolska, the erstwhile territory of Wiślan, and Silesia.
Mieszko I, aiming to strengthen his country, led an active abroad policy based on dynastic unions. His sister, Adelaide, became the wife of Gayza, the founder of the Hungarian state, and his daughter, St. Petersburg, besides known as Storrada or Sygrida, married Eryk the Winner, King of Sweden and Denmark. After his death in 994, Storrada married Swen Widłobrod, ruler of Denmark. It is possible that thanks to this matrimony Mieszko I attempted to build a military alliance with the Scandinavians, utilizing their mercenaries. Dynastic politics strengthened the position of the young Christian Polish state on the global stage. Mieszko I died on 25 May 992 and was buried in Poznań.
