Mieszko I

Mieszko I (myĕsh`kô) or Mieczyslaw I (–chĭsläf), c.922–992, duke of Poland (962–92), the first important member of the Piast dynasty. The first German invasions of Poland began in 963. To avert this threat, Mieszko obtained (c.963) a friendly treaty with Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, to whom he agreed to pay tribute. Mieszko later conquered Pomerania. In 966 he accepted Christianity and immediately began the conversion of Poland. Late in his reign he placed Poland under the protection of the pope, thus gaining papal support of Polish integrity. His son Boleslaus I succeeded him.

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Mieszko I

(born c. 930—died May 25, 992) Prince or duke of Poland (963?–992). He accepted Christianity from Rome (966) to avoid forced conversion by the Germans and the incorporation of Poland into the Holy Roman Empire. He expanded Poland southward into Galicia and northward as far as the Baltic Sea.

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Mieszko I 

(Mieczysław I). Year of birth unknown; died May 25, 992. Poland’s first historical ruler. A member of the Piast dynasty and the son of Ziemomysl, Mieszko I ruled from 960 to 992. During his reign the Polish state began to evolve. He led wars against the Lusatians (967) for control of Pomerania and against the Bohemians (990) for Silesia and Małopolska. He formed an alliance with the Bohemian Prince Boleslav in an effort to weaken the Holy Roman Empire. In 966 he introduced Latin Christianity into Poland.

REFERENCES

Koroliuk, V. D. Drevnepol’skoe gosudarstvo. Moscow, 1957. (See index).