Link to the lesson

After years of crisis and collapse, the Piast monarchy was rebuilt by Casimir I the Restorer. He managed to unite the most important Polish lands and maintain friendly relations with the biggest neighbors – the German Empire and Kievan Rus'. He also reinstated and reformed the state organization, and reconstructed the network of fortified towns on which his power relied. After Casimir died, his eldest son Bolesław took power in the country. He carried out an active foreign policy, e.g., by getting involved in the dynastic conflict in Hungary and Rus', as well as intra‑German disputes, speaking out against Emperor Henry IV who had been weakened by the conflict with the Pope. Thanks to the support of Pope Gregory VII in the dispute about investiture, and his concern for the development of the Church in Poland, he obtained consent for a royal coronation, which took place in 1076. Unfortunately, the ruler’s exaggerated ambitions led to his conflict with the elite, headed by the Cracow Bishop – Stanislaus of Szczepanów. His death by order of the king (1079) led to a rebellion against Bolesław, as a result of which he had to leave the country by going to Hungary where he died.

Afterwards, power was taken over by his younger brother, Władysław I Herman. He did not pursue an expansive policy like his predecessor, but focused on peaceful coexistence. However, his weak position and dependence on the country’s elites forced him to share power with PalatinePalatinePalatine (voivode) Sieciech – the most powerful of the magnates. He held actual power for almost two decades, ruthlessly combating his opponents. Such an attitude and lack of reaction from the duke led to a rebellion of the subjects, supported by the ruler’s sons – Zbigniew, and Bolesław III Wrymouth. In the end, between 1097 and 1100, they succeeded in overthrowing Sieciech and depriving their father of any real power. They also forced him to divide the country into districtsDistrictdistricts – Masovia (Władysław I Herman), Greater Poland and Kuyavia (Zbigniew), and Silesia and Lesser Poland (Bolesław III Wrymouth). After Władysław’s death in 1102, Zbigniew took over Masovia. Both brothers ruled independently, but Bolesław questioned Zbigniew’s position. In 1006, there was a conflict between them, as a result of which Zbigniew, defeated, had to leave the country. After he was allowed to return, he was accused of disloyalty and put in prison, where he died.

After his death, Bolesław III Wrymouth continued the policy of expansion in Pomerania, eventually gaining control thereof. He strengthened alliances with Russia and Hungary, as well as regulated the relations with Bohemia. Another great success was the obtainment, by the Polish episcopate, of the BullBullBull of Gniezno in 1136, which confirmed the existence of an independent archbishopric, over which German clergy had wanted to take control. In 1138, Bolesław III Wrymouth divided the country between his sons, entrusting Principate to the oldest of them – Władysław II the Exile. We do not know whether the so‑called Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth was ever written down. The earlier Piasts never did this. Nevertheless, the ruler’s decision was supposed to regulate the principles of inheritance and help avoid conflicts between his sons. However, the disintegration of the state was unavoidable.

The events connected with the removal of Bolesław II the Generous from the country were first presented by Gallus Anonymus. But his chroniclechroniclechronicle story lacked the details that were provided as late as at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, more than 100 years after the events concerned, by chronicler Wincenty Kadłubek. It is still being discussed whether the events described in the chronicle correspond to some extent to reality. Do they echo the death of Bishop Thomas Becket? Today, this is difficult to say.

Keywords

testament, canonizationcanonizationcanonization, expansion policy

Glossary