Mieszko I
930-992
When Mieszko took over rule over Polans-led tribal federation, he continued to expand his domain. He strengthened 'druzhyna' - personal force of professional warriors employed by his father, which not only contributed during conquests, but also helped to keep ducal authority over tribes. In first years of his reign, Mieszko took control over Pomerelia, or Gdansk Pomerania, and then repeatedly raided Veleti lands across Oder river, but without success. At the same time, in year 963, German margrave Gero finished his long campaigns against Sorbs, by expanding his Eastern March into whole Lusatia, and thus reaching borders of Polans. Seeing Mieszko`s attempts to subjugate Veleti as meddling in his sphere of influence, Gero invaded Polans, forcing Duke to pay tribute to German Emperor, but only from westernmost lands, up to Warta river.
'Baptism of Poland' - 19th century painting.
Following raids of Polans and Gero`s victories, leaders of Veleti, being wary of German and Polish expansion, allied themselves with Bohemian duke Boleslav I. In 960s Czech Duchy controlled, besides Bohemia, also Moravia, Silesia and Krakow land. Thus Mieszko was facing difficult geopolitical situation, and decided to stop attempts at further expansion. Instead he started to pursue closer relations with Bohemian ruler, who could have become valuable ally against Gero and Veleti. In year 965 he married daughter of Boleslav I - Dobrava, and next year, in 966, he decided to convert to Christianity. It is not known what was Mieszko`s motivation behind conversion, but it had very serious repercussions in the future. It strengthened his alliance with Czechs, established his Duchy as a political entity on par with German Marches, thus diminishing their 'rights' to raid his domain, and moreover - clergy and budding ecclesiastical structures helped him to centralise his power. Of course initially only small number of tribal elites close to Mieszko converted to new faith. Common tribesmen, and especially pagan priests, treated new religion with suspicion at very least, and many decades had to pass before Christianity took firm roots on Polish lands.
Following normalization of relations with German neighbours, Mieszko resumed expansion. In early 970s, with help of Bohemian allies, he conquered rest of Pomerania, including mouth of Oder river. However, this new acquisition became contested by new Margrave of Eastern March - Odo, who was wary of growing power of Polans. Acting independently from the Emperor, he invaded Mieszko`s domain in 972, but was defeated by forces of Polans during battle of Cedynia. German Emperor dismissed Odo`s claims, and settled whole conflict resulting in status quo. In following years Polans turned their attention to the East, by taking control of Sandomir land, as well as 'Cherven Gorods' (also known as 'Red Ruthenia').
From left to right - German knight, Polish 'druzhynnik' heavy cavalryman, Bohemian infantryman
(late 10th/early 11th century).
In year 978 Mieszko took daughter of Margrave of Northern March, Oda, as a second wife. Thus his contacts with Saxon nobility became much closer. He became directly involved in power struggle between Emperor Otto II and Duke of Bavaria Henry II, supporting latter, along with Bohemia. Emperor invaded land of Polans in year 981 without success, but while Mieszko`s warriors were busy fighting in the West, Kievan Grand Prince Vladimir I took over 'Cherven Gorods'.
In year 985 Duke of Polans switched sides in Civil War, by supporting minor Otto III. This move proved to be beneficial because new Emperor eventually prevailed, but it also ruined alliance with Bohemia, which allied with Veleti once again. Thus in year 990 it came to war between former allies. With support of the Emperor, Mieszko achieved great victory, and added Silesia and Krakow land to his domain.
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