Bolesław the Forgotten
Encyclopedia
Bolesław the Forgotten also Cruel , was a semi-legendary Duke
of Poland
of the Piast dynasty
from 1034 until his death in 1038 or 1039.
He's described in the Wielkopolska Chronicle, written in the 14th century, where he is said to have been given power in Poland after the death of his father, Mieszko II Lambert
, as he was the eldest son. According to the chronicle he was killed and deleted from the list of monarchs because of his cruelty.
Bolesław's life is also described in a text written by Wincenty z Kielczy (13th century) and some other sources. In the annals of Kraków chapter's the date of 1038 is also given as well as information about a "king Bolesław's" death. This date cannot be connected with Bolesław I Chrobry (d. 1025) and Bolesław II the Bold (d. 1081 in exile) so it may refer to the Forgotten.
In other Kraków annals Bolesław II the Bold is given as Bolesław III the Bold.
Bolesław is described in annals from Braunweiler, in Czech chronicle of Kosmas, and in Hungarian chronicle of Chartiritusa Bishop.
In older times Bolesław was widely described as historical monarch of Poland. Lot of Polish historians were sure about his real existence: Tadeusz Wojciechowski
, Oswald Balzer
, Roman Grodecki
, Feliks Koneczny
, Stanisław Zakrzewski, and Zygmunt Wojciechowski
.
Pros:
Some say that Gall Anonym
failed to describe Bolesław because of the ruler's part in the pagan reaction in Poland
.
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
of Poland
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...
of the Piast dynasty
Piast dynasty
The Piast dynasty was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. It began with the semi-legendary Piast Kołodziej . The first historical ruler was Duke Mieszko I . The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir the Great...
from 1034 until his death in 1038 or 1039.
He's described in the Wielkopolska Chronicle, written in the 14th century, where he is said to have been given power in Poland after the death of his father, Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert
Mieszko II Lambert was King of Poland during 1025–1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death.He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emmilda, daughter of Dobromir, possible ruler of Lusatia. He was probably named after his paternal grandfather, Mieszko I...
, as he was the eldest son. According to the chronicle he was killed and deleted from the list of monarchs because of his cruelty.
Bolesław's life is also described in a text written by Wincenty z Kielczy (13th century) and some other sources. In the annals of Kraków chapter's the date of 1038 is also given as well as information about a "king Bolesław's" death. This date cannot be connected with Bolesław I Chrobry (d. 1025) and Bolesław II the Bold (d. 1081 in exile) so it may refer to the Forgotten.
In other Kraków annals Bolesław II the Bold is given as Bolesław III the Bold.
Bolesław is described in annals from Braunweiler, in Czech chronicle of Kosmas, and in Hungarian chronicle of Chartiritusa Bishop.
In older times Bolesław was widely described as historical monarch of Poland. Lot of Polish historians were sure about his real existence: Tadeusz Wojciechowski
Tadeusz Wojciechowski
Tadeusz Wojciechowski was a Polish historian, professor, and rector of the University of Lwów . One of the founders of the Polish Historical Society and a member of the Academy of Learning. Medievalist. Deputy to the Austrian House of Lords. Buried at the Lychakivskiy Cemetery....
, Oswald Balzer
Oswald Balzer
Oswald Marian Balzer was an Austro-Polish historian of law and statehood, one of the most renowned Polish historians of his times....
, Roman Grodecki
Roman Grodecki
Roman Grodecki was a Polish economic historian, a professor at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, and a member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences....
, Feliks Koneczny
Feliks Koneczny
Feliks Karol Koneczny was a Polish historian and social philosopher. Founder of the original system of the comparative science of civilizations.- Biography :...
, Stanisław Zakrzewski, and Zygmunt Wojciechowski
Zygmunt Wojciechowski
Zygmunt Wojciechowski was a Polish historianand nationalist politician, active in the Second Polish Republic. During the Occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany he was a member of the Polish underground...
.
Pros:
- Casimir I the Restorer was sent to monastery in Germany. Usually only the younger sons were sent to the monasteries, implying that Casimir had an older brother.
- Name Casimir had not been used earlier in the Piast dynasty. It would be natural to name the eldest son as Bolesław, to honor Mieszko's father - Bolesław I Chrobry.
- In the period 1034-1039 Casimir was living in Germany. It would have been impossible to leave the Polish state alone, without a monarch for such a long time.
Some say that Gall Anonym
Gallus Anonymus
Gallus Anonymus is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of Gesta principum Polonorum , composed in Latin about 1115....
failed to describe Bolesław because of the ruler's part in the pagan reaction in Poland
Pagan reaction in Poland
The Pagan reaction in Poland was a series of events in the Kingdom of Poland of the 1030s that culminated in a popular uprising. It was caused by dissatifaction with the economic situation and with the process of Christianization.-See also:...
.
Ancestry
See also
- History of Poland (966-1385)