King of Poland 1025-1031. He was the eldest son of Boleslaw I "the Great" and his third wife, Emnilda, grandson of Mieszko I by his first wife, Dobrawa. Born about 990, he was the husband of Richeza of Lorraine, the daughter of daughter of Count Palatine Ezzo of Lotharingia and granddaughter of German Emperor Otto II. They married in Merseburg circa 1013 and had the following children: Ryksa, wife of King Bela I of Hungary 1013-1075, Casimir I “The Restorer” 1016-1058, Gertrude, wife of Iziaslave I of Kiev 1025-1108. Possibly Agatha, wife of Edward the Exile. It is surmised his surname, Lambert, was a result of his connection to Saint Lambert, or after his half-uncle, Lambert. Mieszko became involved in politics before his father's death, who appointed him successor. His reign started with wisdom and prosperity, proclaimed to be a wise and skillful leader, yet ended quite badly. Mieszko acted as a representative of his father as well as a commander of the Polish troops, paying homage to Emperor Henry II in 1013, solidifying his position at court with his marriage to a family that was in opposition to the Emperor, elevating himself to the same level as the Emperor, but his mission to Bohemia as an emissary resulted in his imprisonment, released only with intervention of Henry II. Mieszko’s father was in the middle of a rebellion, Mieszko was sent to the Imperial court in Merseburg as a hostage, presumably to confront Boleslaw. Apparently the plan failed, Mieszko was released, yet stood ahead of the troops confronting the Emperor the next year. The Polish troops were victorious, the Emperor retreated with the prince on his heels creating heavy German losses. The prince laid siege to his brother in law’s castle, unsuccessfully, battle continued until the Peace of Bautzen 30 Jan 1018. At his father’s death in 1025, he became one of the most important rulers, inheriting a vast empire, crowned Christmas Day by Archbishop of Gniezo in the Gniezo Cathedral. His half brothers received nothing, and were expelled by Mieszko, Otto to Germany, Bezprym to a monastery in Kiev. Mieszko waged another war against the Emperor Conrad in 1028, repelling the invading army and following the enemy to Saxony, where he allied Poland to Hungary. The Emperor armed against Mieszko again in the fall of 1029, again Mieszko secured an alliance with Hungary, invaded Saxony and occupied Vienna. Yaroslav got involved, peace was made between German and Hungary, Bezprym took control, Mieszko fled the country, was imprisoned in Bohemnia, his wife and children took refuge in Germany. Bezprym took actions against Mieszko’s supporters and was murdered the following year, 1032, at which point Mieszko was allowed to return, to a lesser position of Duke with few properties, and he was succeeded by his son, Casimir. Mieszko died probably at Poznan, buried at the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. His death was concluded as from natural causes, although rumors of murder instigated by the aristocracy abound then and now.
King of Poland 1025-1031. He was the eldest son of Boleslaw I "the Great" and his third wife, Emnilda, grandson of Mieszko I by his first wife, Dobrawa. Born about 990, he was the husband of Richeza of Lorraine, the daughter of daughter of Count Palatine Ezzo of Lotharingia and granddaughter of German Emperor Otto II. They married in Merseburg circa 1013 and had the following children: Ryksa, wife of King Bela I of Hungary 1013-1075, Casimir I “The Restorer” 1016-1058, Gertrude, wife of Iziaslave I of Kiev 1025-1108. Possibly Agatha, wife of Edward the Exile. It is surmised his surname, Lambert, was a result of his connection to Saint Lambert, or after his half-uncle, Lambert. Mieszko became involved in politics before his father's death, who appointed him successor. His reign started with wisdom and prosperity, proclaimed to be a wise and skillful leader, yet ended quite badly. Mieszko acted as a representative of his father as well as a commander of the Polish troops, paying homage to Emperor Henry II in 1013, solidifying his position at court with his marriage to a family that was in opposition to the Emperor, elevating himself to the same level as the Emperor, but his mission to Bohemia as an emissary resulted in his imprisonment, released only with intervention of Henry II. Mieszko’s father was in the middle of a rebellion, Mieszko was sent to the Imperial court in Merseburg as a hostage, presumably to confront Boleslaw. Apparently the plan failed, Mieszko was released, yet stood ahead of the troops confronting the Emperor the next year. The Polish troops were victorious, the Emperor retreated with the prince on his heels creating heavy German losses. The prince laid siege to his brother in law’s castle, unsuccessfully, battle continued until the Peace of Bautzen 30 Jan 1018. At his father’s death in 1025, he became one of the most important rulers, inheriting a vast empire, crowned Christmas Day by Archbishop of Gniezo in the Gniezo Cathedral. His half brothers received nothing, and were expelled by Mieszko, Otto to Germany, Bezprym to a monastery in Kiev. Mieszko waged another war against the Emperor Conrad in 1028, repelling the invading army and following the enemy to Saxony, where he allied Poland to Hungary. The Emperor armed against Mieszko again in the fall of 1029, again Mieszko secured an alliance with Hungary, invaded Saxony and occupied Vienna. Yaroslav got involved, peace was made between German and Hungary, Bezprym took control, Mieszko fled the country, was imprisoned in Bohemnia, his wife and children took refuge in Germany. Bezprym took actions against Mieszko’s supporters and was murdered the following year, 1032, at which point Mieszko was allowed to return, to a lesser position of Duke with few properties, and he was succeeded by his son, Casimir. Mieszko died probably at Poznan, buried at the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. His death was concluded as from natural causes, although rumors of murder instigated by the aristocracy abound then and now.
Bio by: Anne Shurtleff Stevens
Family Members
Advertisement
