Bolesław Chrobry (Bolesław I the Brave), Poland’s second historic ruler, propelled the early Piast state to the height of its power. Over the course of the many wars he waged in 1002-1018, he expanded Poland’s borders to include Milzi (Milsko) and Lusatia in the west, and the Cherven Cities in the east. He temporarily held… Continue reading On the first Bolesław, known as the Famed or the Brave
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)… Continue reading On the magnificence and power of Bolesław the Famous
The beginnings of Polish statehood in the mid-tenth century are linked to the conversion of Duke Mieszko I to Christianity. This took place via the intermediary of Bohemia. Mieszko first married Dobrawa (Dąbrówka), daughter of the Bohemian duke Bolesław I Srogi (Boleslaus I the Cruel) – an event dated to 965. A year later, the duke and his entourage were baptised,… Continue reading How Mieszko took Dąbrówka as his wife
Dagome Iudex Dating to the early period of Polish statehood, this document – known as Dagome Iudex after its opening words – was written down circa 991. It is known only from an abstract compiled in Rome in the late 11th century. By means of this deed, Mieszko, the first historical ruler of Poland, together… Continue reading Dagome Iudex
Ibrahim ibn Yaqub was a Jewish traveller and merchant from Ṭurṭūšah (Tortosa), a city in North-Eastern Spain, which, at that time, was a part of the Caliphate of Córdoba. He was supposed to have been involved in a slave trade. He visited many European countries, where he would write down, apart from the information that were useful in… Continue reading Ibrahim Ibn Yaqub’s account of his journey to Slavic states
