kids encyclopedia robot

Boleslaw I of Poland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Chrobry1
Jan Matejko's portrait of Beleslaw I

Bolesław I the Brave (Polish Bolesław I Chrobry) (967 - June 17, 1025) was the duke of Poland from 992 to April 18, 1025 and King of Poland from April 18 to June 17, 1025.He was also a duke of Bohemia known as Boleslav IV from 1003 to 1004. He was the son of Mieszko I, first known ruler of Poland.

Conquests

Boleslav wasn't aggressive as long as his friend - the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire lived. After his death in 1002, Boleslav started the imperial policy. During the chaos in Reich, duke conquered the border areas : Lusatia and Meissen. When finally Henry II took over the German Throne, he accepted annexiation of Lusatia, giving it to Bolslav as a fiefdom, and giving Meissen to his ally - Gunzelin. In 1003 the duke of Bohemia - Vladivoj, died. This death caused intervention in Czechia, where Boleslav put on the throne Boleslav III, that was banished before. In the same year, probably thanks to requests of the czech oposition, Boleslav (Polish one) put out the Boleslav's (Czech one) eyes and become the Duke of Bohemia himself. He wouldn't like to pay tribute to the German Emperor, like did the czech dukes, and that was an excuse, that started Polish - German War from 1003 -1018.

We know 7 children of Bolesław I. Two of them, Mieszko II Lambert and Bezprym ruled Poland after his death.

Interesting Facts

  • The King introduced new law - any man that will sleep with multiple woman will be taken to the bridge and his private areas will be nailed to it. Then he will be left with knife and choice - either die on the bridge over the time or cut himself. This simple rule caused - until now pogan - culture to promote sacred life with one partner only.
  • Image of Bolesław the Brave is on 20 zlotys paper money

Images for kids

  • Poland in the 11th century

    Poland and parts of Pomerania temporarily conquered at the beginning of Bolesław's reign

  • Maurycy

    Bolesław's replica of the Holy Lance, Wawel Hill, Cracow

  • Polska 992 - 1025

    Poland during the reign of Bolesław the Brave

  • Denar rys chrobry1

    Bolesław's denarius with the inscription Princes Polonie.

  • Kronung Heinrich II

    King Henry in a sacramentary c. 1002–1014

  • Matejko-chrobry at Kiev (Kijow)

    Bolesław at Kiev, in a legendary moment of hitting the Golden Gate with the Szczerbiec sword. Painting by Jan Matejko.

  • Koronacja pierwszego króla (Koronacja Chrobrego. Jan Matejko)

    Coronation of the First King, as imagined by Jan Matejko

  • 10 zlotych 1925 Bolesław Chrobry

    10-złotych coin with Bolesław Chrobry (1925)

  • Pomnik Bolesława I Chrobrego

    Monument to Bolesław the Brave in Gniezno, created by Marcin Rożek in 1925. Destroyed in 1939 and reconstructed in 1985 by Jerzy Sobociński.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Boleslao I de Polonia para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Boleslaw I of Poland Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.