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List of Polish monarchs


List of Polish monarchs


Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th to 18th centuries).

The first known Polish ruler is Duke Mieszko I, who adopted Christianity under the authority of Rome in the year 966. He was succeeded by his son, Bolesław I the Brave, who greatly expanded the boundaries of the Polish state and ruled as the first king in 1025. The following centuries gave rise to the mighty Piast dynasty, consisting of both kings such as Mieszko II Lambert, Przemysł II or Władysław I the Elbow-high and dukes like Bolesław III Wrymouth. The dynasty's rule over Poland ceased with the death of Casimir III the Great in 1370. In the same year, the Capetian House of Anjou became the ruling house with Louis I as king of both Poland and Hungary. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania, who in 1386 was baptized and crowned as Władysław II Jagiełło, thus creating the Jagiellonian dynasty and a personal union between Poland and Lithuania.

During the reign of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Sigismund I the Old, culture flourished and cities developed. This era of progress, also known as the Polish Renaissance, continued until the Union of Lublin under Sigismund II Augustus, which unofficially marked the end of the Polish Golden Age. After the death of the last Jagiellonian king, the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth became an elective monarchy with mostly foreigners elected as monarchs such as Henry III of France, who witnessed the introduction of the Golden Liberty system and Stephen Báthory, a capable military commander who strengthened the nation. The meaningful rule of the Vasa dynasty initially expanded the Commonwealth as the arts and crafts developed, as well as trade and commerce. King Sigismund III Vasa, a talented but somewhat despotic ruler, involved the country in many wars, which subsequently resulted in the successful capture of Moscow and the loss of Livonia to Sweden. His son, Władysław IV Vasa, fiercely defended the Commonwealth's borders and continued the policy of his father until his death, unlike John II Casimir whose tragic rule resulted in his abdication.

The election of John III Sobieski to the Polish throne proved to be beneficial for the Commonwealth. A brilliant military tactician, John III led the coalition forces to victory at Vienna in 1683 and he partially recaptured land from the Ottoman Empire. However, the years that followed were not as successful. The long and ineffective rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III) placed the Commonwealth under the influence of Saxony and the Russian Empire. Additional feuds with rebel nobility (szlachta) and most notably Stanislaus I Leszczyński and France diminished the influence of Poland-Lithuania in the region, which led to the partitions that occurred under King Stanislaus II Augustus, yet another enlightened, but ineffective monarch. The last true sovereign of Poland was Frederick Augustus I as Duke of Warsaw, who throughout his political career attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state. Following the Napoleonic Wars, many sovereigns claimed the title of Polish king, duke or ruler, notably German, Russian and Austrian emperors. The monarchy was abolished and a parliamentary republican authority was established when Poland was re-constituted as a sovereign state in 1918.

Legendary

Most of the legendary Polish rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century and their existence has not been determined.

Semi-legendary

The three direct predecessors of Mieszko I are known only from the account of Gallus Anonymus, who wrote the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum at the beginning of the 12th century. Though their historicity was once debatable, now historians tend to consider them actually existing rulers.

House of Piast

Fragmentation of Poland (1138–1320)

Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

Přemyslid House

House of Piast (restored)

House of Anjou

House of Jagiellon

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1569–1795

Duchy of Warsaw, 1807–1815

Family tree of the rulers of Poland

Pretenders to the Polish throne

  • Vratislaus II of Bohemia (1085–1092)
  • Rudolf I of Bohemia (1306–1307)
  • Henry of Bohemia (1307–1310)
  • John of Bohemia (1310–1335)
  • Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria (1916–1918)
  • Kiril, Prince of Preslav (1916–1918)
  • Modern

    • Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (2012–), disputed
    • Rüdiger, Margrave of Meissen (2012–2022), disputed
    • Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (2022–), disputed. Son of Rüdiger

    Not recognized royal elections

    • Maxmilian II Habsburg (1575–1576), See: 1576 Free election
    • Maxmilian III Habsburg (1587–1589), See: 1587 Free election
    • François Louis de Bourbon (1697), See: 1697 Free election

    See also

    • Coronations in Poland
    • Dukes of Greater Poland
    • Dukes of Masovia
    • Dukes of Pomerania
    • Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca
    • Dukes of Silesia
    • Kings of Poland family tree
    • List of rulers of Partitioned Poland
    • List of Galician rulers
    • List of heads of state of Poland
    • List of Poles
    • List of Polish consorts
    • List of prime ministers of Poland
    • Princely Houses of Poland
    • Poles

    References

    Bibliography

    • Duczmal M., Jagiellonowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1996.
    • Dybkowska A., Żaryn J., Żaryn M., Polskie dzieje. Od czasów najdawniejszych po współczesność, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1995. ISBN 83-01-11870-9
    • Gierowski J.A., Rzeczpospolita w dobie złotej wolności (1648–1763), Kraków 2001. ISBN 83-85719-56-3
    • Grodziski S., Polska w czasach przełomu (1764–1815), Kraków 2001. ISBN 83-85719-45-8
    • Grodziski S., Porównawcza historia ustrojów państwowych, Kraków 1998. ISBN 83-7052-840-6
    • Grzybowski S., Dzieje Polski i Litwy (1506–1648), Kraków 2000. ISBN 83-85719-48-2
    • Morby J.E., Dynastie świata. Przewodnik chronologiczny i genealogiczny, Kraków 1995, s. 261–263. ISBN 83-7006-263-6
    • Wyrozumski J., Dzieje Polski piastowskiej (VIII w.-1370), Kraków 1999. ISBN 83-85719-38-5
    • Zientara B., Henryk Brodaty i jego czasy, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1997.

    External links

    • Górczyk, Wojciech. "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" (in Polish). Histmag.org. June 14, 2009.

    Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: List of Polish monarchs by Wikipedia (Historical)