Boleslaw I of Poland was able to rise in power in the early 1000s due to his father Mieszko I, Christianity, and his military prowess.
Boleslaw I became the first king of Poland and was born to Mieszko I, the Duke of Poland, and Dobrava of Bohemia. At the time, Poland was under the Holy Roman Empire’s rule, as were neighboring kingdoms such as Bohemia and Hungary. Boleslaw’s father, Mieszko was part of the governing Piast dynasty, who came to power through a coup against the ruler Popiel in the 9th century. Boleslaw took the throne after Mieszko’s death, and was eager to make Poland independent.
Boleslaw’s father Mieszko I paved the way for Boleslaw’s rise. In 966, Mieszko married Dobrava, Boleslav of Bohemia’s daughter to ensure ties with Christian Bohemia . Influenced by Dobrava, Mieszko converted to Christianity too in 966. Priests arrived at Poland, and the first bishopric of Poznan became a German named Jordan. Converting from paganism to Christianity opened many opportunities. Anita Prazmowska, a professor at London School of Economics, said, “By converting Mieszko denied the Holy Roman Empire an excuse for conquest, since the right to military subjugation of pagans …show more content…
By the same token Mieszko could now justify his military campaign.” Mieszko allied Poland with the Holy Roman Empire, which proved beneficial in battles. For
Boleslaw I became the first king of Poland and was born to Mieszko I, the Duke of Poland, and Dobrava of Bohemia. At the time, Poland was under the Holy Roman Empire’s rule, as were neighboring kingdoms such as Bohemia and Hungary. Boleslaw’s father, Mieszko was part of the governing Piast dynasty, who came to power through a coup against the ruler Popiel in the 9th century. Boleslaw took the throne after Mieszko’s death, and was eager to make Poland independent.
Boleslaw’s father Mieszko I paved the way for Boleslaw’s rise. In 966, Mieszko married Dobrava, Boleslav of Bohemia’s daughter to ensure ties with Christian Bohemia . Influenced by Dobrava, Mieszko converted to Christianity too in 966. Priests arrived at Poland, and the first bishopric of Poznan became a German named Jordan. Converting from paganism to Christianity opened many opportunities. Anita Prazmowska, a professor at London School of Economics, said, “By converting Mieszko denied the Holy Roman Empire an excuse for conquest, since the right to military subjugation of pagans …show more content…
By the same token Mieszko could now justify his military campaign.” Mieszko allied Poland with the Holy Roman Empire, which proved beneficial in battles. For