Under Bolesław Chrobry (Bolesław the Brave), the Polish state reached the height of its power based on the country’s original organization, i.e. ducal law. The early Piast state was a patrimonial monarchy. The ruler saw himself as the owner of the country, he ruled despotically, relying on the military might of his team (Pol. drużyna) of knights. The duke supported his drużyna from taxes he collected from his subjects to ensure its loyalty. The distribution of regiments across different strongholds not only facilitated provisioning but also guaranteed the loyalty of the freshly united and Christianized country. An important source of income for the ruler and his knights were spoils seized during their numerous victorious campaigns (including the capture of Prague in 1003 or of Kiev in 1018).
The power of Bolesław the Brave’s state – especially its military might – was lauded by the chronicler Gallus Anonimus, active at the court of Bolesław Krzywousty (Bolesław Wrymouth). We do not know his name or his country of origin. He is believed to have come from the south of France, although more recent research suggests that he may have hailed from northern Italy. He was probably a Benedictine monk. His Polish Chronicle, composed in Latin ca 1113 (its narrative stops at this date), describes the history of Poland since its mythical beginnings until the chronicler’s times. The author’s intent was to relate the deeds of Polish dukes, predecessors of Bolesław Wrymouth, and of Bolesław himself. It was doubtless a propaganda work meant to praise the ruling family and justify their title to the Polish throne. Gallus’s Chronicle is the first work of such breadth to have been written in Poland and treating of its history, hence despite its Latin and the author’s foreign origins it is considered the first work of Polish national literature. It remains a seminal and unrivalled source for the study of the early Piast period. In the fragment cited below, the chronicler provides numerical data regarding Bolesław the Brave’s troops which, however, are considered dubious and exaggerated by historians.
