Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn
Encyclopedia
Mieszko I of Cieszyn was a Duke of Racibórz
during 1282-1290 (with his brother as co-ruler) and the first Duke of Cieszyn since 1290 until his death.
He was the oldest son of Władysław, Duke of Opole
-Racibórz
, by his wife Euphemia
, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland
.
.
received together the district of Racibórz
as co-rulers. The other two brothers, Casimir
and Bolko I
, received Opole
. Because Przemysław was still a minor a that time, Mieszko ruled alone until he attained his majority, in 1284.
In 1285 Mieszko politically supported the Bishop of Wrocław, Thomas II Zaremba against Henry IV Probus, providing shelter to the Bishop in Raciborz. His politics against Henry IV were reinforced when the Duke of Wrocław repudiated his wife Constance —sister of Mieszko— and sent her back to her homeland. Another consequence of Mieszko's politics was an armed expedition of Henry IV in 1287 against Racibórz, who was sieged. Then Mieszko was forced to refuse his help to the Bishop.
and Mieszko obtained the rule over the districts of Cieszyn
, Oświęcim
and Zator
. The first time that he signed himself as Duke of Cieszyn was on 1 January 1290.
In internal politics he pursued vigorous policies. Mieszko carried out intensive colonizing policies and founded many settlements. He also gave city rights to several towns: Cieszyn, Oświęcim (in 1291), Bielsko
, Skoczów
and Fryštát
. On 10 November 1292 he granted the city rights to Zator
.
Mieszko refused to support any of the Piast pretenders to the Polish
throne (Henry IV Probus, Przemysł II and Władysław I the Elbow-high). Instead he stood alongside King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. On 17 January 1291 the formal agreement was signed in Olomouc
which formed the alliance between the Bohemian Kingdom, Mieszko and his two brothers Casimir and Przemysław. Mieszko eventually swore homage
to King Wenceslaus II, although the exact date was still debatable; the most accepted date by historians was 11 August 1292.
Despite his alliance, Mieszko didn't take an active part in Wenceslaus II's campaign against Władysław I the Elbow-high in 1292; howecer, he put his army at the King's disposal and later took part in the Battle of Siewierz
. Mieszko was present at the coronation of Wenceslaus II as King of Poland in Gniezno
in 1300. After the death of Wenceslaus II in 1305, Mieszko continued to support the Přemyslid dynasty
in the person of Wenceslaus III
, son and successor of Wenceslaus II.
On 5 October 1305, Mieszko obtained his major victory when his daughter Viola Elisabeth married King Wenceslaus III. This union was a chance for Mieszko to make himself one of the most powerful figures in Bohemia
, and he even began some attempts to obtain the Polish crown.
However, Mieszko's promising career ended suddenly with the murder of Wenceslaus III (Olomouc, 4 August 1306). Viola Elisabeth never bore Wenceslaus III any children and the Přemyslid dynasty became extinct.
After 1306 the political activity of Mieszko almost disappeared. Is unknown why this happened, because at that time he was only around fifty-years-old and was still considered young enough. The government of the Duchy was increasingly absorbed by his sons Wladyslaw and Kazimierz. The only sign of his political activities during this time was the lease of the Czech city of Kęty
to the Bishop of Kraków, Jan Muskata
, an strong opposer to the rule of Władysław I the Elbow-high in Greater Poland
. However, in contrast to his brother Bolko I, Mieszko didn't support the Rebellion of wójt Albert
in 1311.
convent at Oświęcim (shortly after 1283). Also, he financially assisted the monastery of Czarnowąsy
near Opole and in the Dominican of Cieszyn.
n origin, probably member of the Rurikids. Her title suggests that she maybe was the wife of Mieszko I or the first wife of Bolko I (Mieszko I's brother), or maybe a completely different person.
Also, the exact date of their marriage was uncertain, but after a further reconstructions of their children's birth dates, was placed between the years 1275-1280. They had three children:
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
during 1282-1290 (with his brother as co-ruler) and the first Duke of Cieszyn since 1290 until his death.
He was the oldest son of Władysław, Duke of Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
-Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
, by his wife Euphemia
Euphemia of Greater Poland
Euphemia of Greater Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast from the Greater Poland branch and by marriage was Duchess of Kalisz, Wieluń and Opole-Racibórz....
, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
.
Early years
Little is known about the early years of Mieszko I's life. His first documented mention was on 21 October 1258, when he appears together with his father and two younger brothers in the consent of the foundation of a Cistercian abbey in RudyRudy, Silesian Voivodeship
Rudy , also known as Rudy Wielkie or Rudy Raciborskie, is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kuźnia Raciborska, within Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately east of Kuźnia Raciborska, north-east of Racibórz, and west of the regional...
.
Duke of Racibórz
After his father's death in 1282, and according to the custom during the fragmentation of Poland, Mieszko and his brothers divided the Duchy of Opole-Racibórz between them: Mieszko and his youngest brother PrzemysławPrzemysław of Racibórz
Przemysław of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1282 until his death ....
received together the district of Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
as co-rulers. The other two brothers, Casimir
Casimir of Bytom
Casimir of Bytom was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death....
and Bolko I
Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole , was a Duke of Opole from 1282 , Niemodlin and Strzelce Opolskie until his death.He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.-Life:Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of...
, received Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
. Because Przemysław was still a minor a that time, Mieszko ruled alone until he attained his majority, in 1284.
In 1285 Mieszko politically supported the Bishop of Wrocław, Thomas II Zaremba against Henry IV Probus, providing shelter to the Bishop in Raciborz. His politics against Henry IV were reinforced when the Duke of Wrocław repudiated his wife Constance —sister of Mieszko— and sent her back to her homeland. Another consequence of Mieszko's politics was an armed expedition of Henry IV in 1287 against Racibórz, who was sieged. Then Mieszko was forced to refuse his help to the Bishop.
Duke of Cieszyn
In 1290 the division was made of the Duchy of Racibórz: Przemysław retained RacibórzRacibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
and Mieszko obtained the rule over the districts of Cieszyn
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
, Oświęcim
Oswiecim
Oświęcim is a town in the Lesser Poland province of southern Poland, situated west of Kraków, near the confluence of the rivers Vistula and Soła.- History :...
and Zator
Zator
Zator is an old town on the Skawa river within Oświęcim County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. From 1975 to 1998 it belonged to the Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship. It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Zator...
. The first time that he signed himself as Duke of Cieszyn was on 1 January 1290.
In internal politics he pursued vigorous policies. Mieszko carried out intensive colonizing policies and founded many settlements. He also gave city rights to several towns: Cieszyn, Oświęcim (in 1291), Bielsko
Bielsko
Bielsko was until 1950 an independent town situated in Cieszyn Silesia, Poland. In 1951 it was joined with Biała Krakowska to form the new town of Bielsko-Biała. Bielsko constitutes the western part of that town....
, Skoczów
Skoczów
Skoczów is a town and the seat of Gmina Skoczów in Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland with 14,783 inhabitants . It lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia....
and Fryštát
Fryštát
is a town in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, now administratively a part of the city of Karviná. Until 1948 it was a separate town. It lies on the Olza River, in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia....
. On 10 November 1292 he granted the city rights to Zator
Zator
Zator is an old town on the Skawa river within Oświęcim County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. From 1975 to 1998 it belonged to the Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship. It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Zator...
.
Struggles for the Throne of Kraków
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
throne (Henry IV Probus, Przemysł II and Władysław I the Elbow-high). Instead he stood alongside King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. On 17 January 1291 the formal agreement was signed in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
which formed the alliance between the Bohemian Kingdom, Mieszko and his two brothers Casimir and Przemysław. Mieszko eventually swore homage
Homage (medieval)
Homage in the Middle Ages was the ceremony in which a feudal tenant or vassal pledged reverence and submission to his feudal lord, receiving in exchange the symbolic title to his new position . It was a symbolic acknowledgment to the lord that the vassal was, literally, his man . The oath known as...
to King Wenceslaus II, although the exact date was still debatable; the most accepted date by historians was 11 August 1292.
Despite his alliance, Mieszko didn't take an active part in Wenceslaus II's campaign against Władysław I the Elbow-high in 1292; howecer, he put his army at the King's disposal and later took part in the Battle of Siewierz
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
. Mieszko was present at the coronation of Wenceslaus II as King of Poland in Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
in 1300. After the death of Wenceslaus II in 1305, Mieszko continued to support the Přemyslid dynasty
Premyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
in the person of Wenceslaus III
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
Wenceslaus III Premyslid was the King of Hungary , King of Bohemia and the king of Poland ....
, son and successor of Wenceslaus II.
On 5 October 1305, Mieszko obtained his major victory when his daughter Viola Elisabeth married King Wenceslaus III. This union was a chance for Mieszko to make himself one of the most powerful figures in Bohemia
Kingdom of Bohemia
The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and...
, and he even began some attempts to obtain the Polish crown.
However, Mieszko's promising career ended suddenly with the murder of Wenceslaus III (Olomouc, 4 August 1306). Viola Elisabeth never bore Wenceslaus III any children and the Přemyslid dynasty became extinct.
After 1306 the political activity of Mieszko almost disappeared. Is unknown why this happened, because at that time he was only around fifty-years-old and was still considered young enough. The government of the Duchy was increasingly absorbed by his sons Wladyslaw and Kazimierz. The only sign of his political activities during this time was the lease of the Czech city of Kęty
Kety
Kęty is a town in Oświęcim County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland with 19,175 inhabitants .The town dates its earliest document from 1277 when Polish prince of Opole Władysław confirmed sale of the settlement and adoption of Lviv city rights. The town's name comes from the word kąt...
to the Bishop of Kraków, Jan Muskata
Jan Muskata
Jan Muskata was bishop of Kraków from 1294 to 1309.Muskata was born in Wrocław, Silesia. He was the son of a German spice trader. The name Muskata is derived from Latin, for nutmeg....
, an strong opposer to the rule of Władysław I the Elbow-high in Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
. However, in contrast to his brother Bolko I, Mieszko didn't support the Rebellion of wójt Albert
Rebellion of wójt Albert
The Rebellion of wójt Albert was an uprising of burghers of the Polish city of Kraków against the duke Władysław I the Elbow-high in the years 1311–12...
in 1311.
Donations to the Church
Mieszko was known for his generosity to the church. Thanks to him, the construction was completed of the DominicanDominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
convent at Oświęcim (shortly after 1283). Also, he financially assisted the monastery of Czarnowąsy
Czarnowasy
Czarnowąsy is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Dobrzeń Wielki, within Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, in south-western Poland...
near Opole and in the Dominican of Cieszyn.
Death
Mieszko's exact date of death is unknown. Diplomatic sources suggest that he died in 1314 or in the first half of 1315, before 27 June. He was probably buried in the Dominican church in Cieszyn. In 1931 the Polish painter and sculptor Jan Raszka made a sculpture of Mieszko I in Cieszyn.Marriage and issue
According to some sources, Mieszko's wife died ca. 1303, but her name is unknown. The Obituary of the Church of St. Vincent in Wrocław showed the existence of a certain "Grzymisława, Duchess of Opole" (Grimizlaua ducissa Opuliensis) who was buried there around 13 September 1286. Her parentage is also unknown, but her name suggests a RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n origin, probably member of the Rurikids. Her title suggests that she maybe was the wife of Mieszko I or the first wife of Bolko I (Mieszko I's brother), or maybe a completely different person.
Also, the exact date of their marriage was uncertain, but after a further reconstructions of their children's birth dates, was placed between the years 1275-1280. They had three children:
- WładysławWładysław of OświęcimWładysław of Oświęcim , was a Duke of Oświęcim from 1315 until his death.He was the eldest son of Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn by his wife, probably called Grzymisława.-Life:...
(b. 1275/80 - d. by 15 May 1324). - Casimir I (b. 1280/90 - d. by 29 September 1358).
- Viola ElisabethViola Elisabeth of CieszynViola Elisabeth of Cieszyn was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Cieszyn branch and by marriage Queen of Bohemia and Poland....
(b. ca. 1291 - d. 21 September 1317), married on 5 October 1305 to King Wenceslaus III of BohemiaWenceslaus III of BohemiaWenceslaus III Premyslid was the King of Hungary , King of Bohemia and the king of Poland ....
.