Cieszyn Piasts
The historical antecedents of the first Cieszyn Prince, Mieszko I will be mentioned; beginning with his namesake, the father of the Polish state, the great Mieszko I (Mesco I, reigned c. 955-992) and then Bolesław Chrobry (Boleslaus the Brave, reigned 992-1025), Mieszko II (Mesco II, reigned 1025-1034), Kazimierz Odnowiciel (Casimir the Restorer, reigned 1038-1058), Bolesław Śmiały (Boleslaus the Bold, reigned 1058-1079), Władysław Herman (Vladislas Herman, reigned 1079-1102) and finally Bolesław Krzywousty (Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed, reigned 1102-1138). The latter prince divided Poland into five rival principalities; four ruled by junior princes, and the capital province by a Senior Prince. The Senior Prince, who was to exercise ultimate power over his younger brothers, was Władysław Wygnaniec (Vladislas the Exile), Prince of Silesia (reigned 1138-1146), succeeded by Bolesław Kędzierzawy (Boleslaus the Curly, reigned 1146-1173), who himself gained the senior throne after Władysław's overthrow by his younger brothers. During Bolesław's rule the sons of Władysław Wygnaniec, namely Bolesław Wysoki (Boleslaus the Tall), Mieszko Plątonogi (Mesco the Crosslegged) and Konrad (Conrad) won back their father's inheritance. Mieszko Plątonogi finally gained the throne of Racibórz and towards the end of his life also took over the Opole region. Mieszko also gained substantial lands in Western Małopolska from the next Senior Prince. These lands were in fact castellanies; Bytom, Oświęcim, and possibly Siewierz and Chrzanów. In this way the territorial bases of Upper Silesia were formed. Mieszko Plątonogi was survived by his son, Kazimierz (Casimir), who acceded to the thrones of Opole and Racibórz. After him the Duchy was ruled by Mieszko Otyły (Mesco the Fat) and his brother, Władysław (Vladislas). Before his death in 1281 Władysław divided the Duchy of Opole up between his four sons; Kazimierz – the Lord of Bytom and Koźle, Bolko – Lord of Opole, Przemysław – Lord of Racibórz and the eldest of them, Mieszko, who became the first Prince of Cieszyn, as mentioned above.
Idzi Panic
