The History Of Poland 1
Poland's borders have changed almost continuously with the course of history. The origins of the Polish nation go back to the 10th century, when Slav tribes living in the area of Gniezno united together under the Piast dynasty, which then ruled Poland until 1370.
Mieszko I, the first historic prince of this line, converted to Christianity in 966, bringing his kingdom into Christian Europe. The Piast dynasty ruled Poland with variable fortune and embroiled the nation in domestic quarrels for 150 years. After this dynasty died out, the great Lithuanian prince Jagiello took the Polish throne and founded a new dynasty. The treaty with Lithuania signed at Krewo in 1385 initiated the long process of consolidation between these nations, culminating in 1569 with the signing of the Union of Lublin. In the 15th century the Jagiellonians achieved many military successes, forming the powerful Republic of Two Nations (Rzeczpos-polita Obojga Narodow). After the Jagiellonian dynasty died out in 1572, the authorities introduced elective kings, with the nobility having the right to vote. Poland's political and
The Polish eagle
The Polish eagle military weakness led to its partitioning by Russia, Prussia and Austria. In 1795 Poland was wiped off the map of Europe for more than 100 years. Attempts to wrest independence by insurrection were unsuccessful, and Poland did not regain its sovereignty until 1918. The arduous process of rebuilding and uniting the nation was still incomplete when, at the outbreak of World War II, a six-year period of German and Soviet occupation began. The price that Poland paid was very high: millions were murdered, including virtually its entire Jewish population. The country suffered devastation and there were huge territorial losses, which were only partly compensated by the Allies' decision to move the border westwards. After the war, Poland was subjugated by the Soviet Union and did not become a fully democratic nation until 1989.
- Map of the Republic of Two Nations (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodow) in the 17 th century
<] Stanisfaw August Poniatowski, the last king of Poland
Poland under the Piast Dynasty
During the 6th century AD, Slav tribes began migrating from the east to what is today Polish territory. The Vistulanians (Wislanie) settled around Cracow, and the Poles (Polanie) around Gniezno. The Polanie united under the rule of the Piast dynasty in the 10th century, and the conversion of Mieszko I (c. 960-92) to Christianity in 966 led to the formation of the Polish state. After Mieszko, Boleslaw the Brave (992-1025) acquired significant new territories. Later Piast kings ruled with variable fortune. On the death of Boleslaw the Wry-Mouthed (1107-38), the nation was divided into districts, not to be reunified until the reign of Wladyslaw the Elbow-High (1306-33). The country flourished under the rule of his son, Kazimierz the Great (1333-70).
Bishop Stanistaw of Szczepanow
Prayer at the grave of St Wojciech
The Czech bishop Wojciech, who was martyred while on a mission to Prussia in 997, was the first Polish saint.
Tomb of Henry IV
The Silesian prince Henry IV, the Good (Henryk IV Probus, 1288-90) tried to unite Poland but died, probably by poisoning. His tomb is a fine example of early 14th-century Gothic sculpture.
POLAND IN THE YEARS 1090-1127
- EH Polish territory
MARTYRDOM OF ST STANIStAW
An embroidery of 1504 from the chasuble in Kmita depicts the murder of Bishop Stanislaw of Szczepanow in 1079.
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