List of Polish monarchs

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This article is about the historical monarchs of Poland, from the Middle Ages to 1795. For heads of state of republican Poland since 1919, see List of heads of state of Poland.

Template:Infobox monarchy

Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, kings were elected by the nobility (14th to 18th centuries).

Duke Mieszko I adopted Christianity under the authority of Rome in the year 966. He was succeeded by his son, Bolesław I the Brave, who greatly expanded the boundaries of the Polish state and ruled as the first king in 1025. The following centuries gave rise to the mighty Piast dynasty, consisting of both kings such as Mieszko II Lambert, Przemysł II or Władysław I the Elbow-high and dukes like Bolesław III Wrymouth. The dynasty's rule over Poland ceased with the death of Casimir III the Great in 1370. In the same year, the Capetian House of Anjou became the ruling house with Louis I of Hungary as king of both Poland and Hungary. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania, who in 1386 was baptised and crowned as Władysław II Jagiełło. After Jadwiga had died in 1399 without surviving children, the Polish hereditary monarchy ended. Władysław remained on the throne as elected king. His descendants continued to be chosen as monarchs by noblemen, creating the Jagiellonian dynasty, and during this time, a personal union between Poland and Lithuania took place.

During the reign of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Sigismund I the Old, culture flourished and cities developed. This era of progress, also known as the Polish Renaissance, continued until the Union of Lublin under Sigismund II Augustus, which unofficially marked the end of the Polish Golden Age. After the death of the last Jagiellonian king, the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth continued the policy of elective monarchy, with mostly foreigners elected as monarchs, such as Henry III of France, who witnessed the introduction of the Golden Liberty system, and Stephen Báthory, a capable military commander who strengthened the nation. The Vasa dynasty, which descended from Jagiellons, initially expanded the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as the arts and crafts developed, as well as trade and commerce. King Sigismund III Vasa, a talented but somewhat despotic ruler, involved the country in many wars, which subsequently resulted in the successful capture of Moscow and the loss of Livonia to Sweden. His son, Władysław IV Vasa, fiercely defended the Commonwealth's borders and continued the policy of his father until his death, unlike John II Casimir, whose tragic rule resulted in his abdication.

The election of John III Sobieski to the Polish throne proved to be beneficial for the Commonwealth. A brilliant military tactician, John III led the coalition forces to victory at Vienna in 1683 and he partially recaptured land from the Ottoman Empire.[1] However, in the following years, the contested rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III of Poland) placed the Commonwealth under the influence of Saxony and the Russian Empire. Additional feuds with rebel nobility (szlachta) and most notably Stanislaus I Leszczyński and France diminished the influence of Poland–Lithuania in the region, which led to the partitions that occurred under King Stanisław August Poniatowski, yet another enlightened but ineffective monarch.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, ruled as Duke of Warsaw and attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state. After the Congress of Vienna, the territory of Poland was again divided by the Prussia (with the Prussian King as Grand Duke of Posen), Russia (Congress Poland was founded in 1815 with the Emperor of Russia as King of Poland) and Austria (with the Austrian Emperors as Kings of Galicia and Lodomeria). A new Kingdom of Poland was proclaimed as an independent state in 1916 with a Regency Council but the monarchy was abolished and a parliamentary republican authority was established when Poland was re-constituted as a sovereign state in 1918.

Legendary

Main article: Poland in the Early Middle Ages

Most of the legendary Polish rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century and their existence has not been determined.

Template:Sticky header Template:Nobility table header |- |Lech I | Imaginary depiction of Lech in Chronica Polonorum | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Legendary founder of the Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader | Lechites (Tribe)

|- |Krakus
also Krak or Grakch
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Krakus in Chronica Polonorum | c. 8th century | Unknown | c. 8th century | Legendary founder of Kraków | Lechites (Tribe)

|- |Krakus II
–
c. 8th century | File:Monarch-emp.png | c. 8th century
Son of Krakus | Unknown | c. 8th century | Succession | Lechites (Tribe)

|- |Lech II
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Lech II in Chronica Polonorum | c. 8th century
Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II | Unknown | c. 8th century | Succession | Lechites (Tribe)

|- |Wanda
also Wąda
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Wanda in Chronica Polonorum | c. 8th century
Daughter of Krakus, sister of Krakus II and Lech II | Unknown | c. 8th century | Succession | Lechites (Tribe)

|- | Duke
Leszko I
also Leszek
c. 7th centuries
–
c. 8th centuries | Imaginary depiction of Leszko I in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini | c. 7th centuries
–
c. 8th centuries | Unknown | c. 7th centuries[2]
–
c. 8th centuries

| Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned

Elected

| Goplans and Polans (Tribes)

|- | Duke
Leszko II
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Leszko II in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini | c. 8th centuries
Presumed son of Leszko I, Alleged progenitor of the Popielids dynasty | Unknown | c. 8th centuries | Succession | Popielids

|- | Duke
Leszko III
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Leszko III in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini | c. 8th centuries
Presumed son of Leszko II | Unknown | c. 8th centuries | Succession | Popielids

|- | Duke
Popiel I
–
c. 8th century | Imaginary depiction of Popiel in Chronica Polonorum | c. 8th centuries
Presumed son of Leszko III | Unknown | c. 8th centuries | Succession | Popielids

|- | Duke
Popiel II
–
c. 9th century | Imaginary depiction of Popiel in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini | c. 9th century | (1) NN, A German Princess | c. 9th century

| A legendary ruler was dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century

Succession

| Popielids

|- | Piast the Wheelwright
–
c. 9th century | Imaginary depiction of Piast the Wheelwright by Walery Eljasz Radzikowski | c. 9th century
Son of Chościsko | (1) Rzepicha
1 child | c. 9th century | Legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century | Piast |}

House of Piast

Main article: History of Poland during the Piast dynasty

The three direct predecessors of Mieszko I are known only from the account of Gallus Anonymus, who wrote the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum at the beginning of the 12th century. Though their historicity was once debatable, now historians tend to consider them as actually existing rulers.[3]

Template:Nobility table header |- | Duke
Siemowit
also Ziemowit
–
9th century | Imaginary depiction of Siemowit by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski | 9th century
Presumed son of Piast the Wheelwright
and Rzepicha | Unknown | 9th century

| Named Duke of the Polans after his father, Piast the Wheelwright, refused to take the place of legendary Duke Popiel

Elected

| Piast | [4]

|- | Duke
Lestek
also Leszek or Lestko
9th century
–
10th century | Imaginary depiction of Lestek by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski | c. 870 – 880
Presumed son of Siemowit | Unknown | c. 930 – 950

| Named Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father

Succession

| Piast | [5][6]

|- | Duke
Siemomysł
also Ziemomysł
Latin: Zemomislaus
10th century
–
c. 950/960 | Imaginary depiction of Siemomysł by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski | c. 900
Presumed son of Lestek | Unknown | c. 950 – 960

| Named Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father

Succession

| Piast | [7] |}

Mieszko I started his reign as leader of the Polans, while other parts of future Poland were settled by other tribes, such as Masovians, Vistulans, Lendians, Silesians or Pomeranians. During his reign, Mieszko united Polish lands and adopted Christianity, connecting Poland with western Europe. His descendants ruled the state as natural lords and Poland was seen as their hereditary property. Because of that, the state was often divided between the sons of the deceased ruler and eventually united by one of them. Early Polish rulers were not considered equal to Western European kings, so their title is translated as a duke. Some of them managed to prepare a coronation and adopted the title of king, but the effects of those efforts were short lived.

Template:Sticky headerTemplate:Nobility table header |- | Duke
Mieszko I
Latin: Misico, dux Wandalorum
c. 960
–
25 May 992
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Mieszko I (274939) (cropped).jpg

| c. 930

Son of semi-legendary Siemomysł | (1) Doubravka of Bohemia
c. 965
1 child

(2) Oda of Haldensleben
c. 980
3 or 4 children

| 25 May 992
Poznań
Aged about 62

| First Christian ruler of Poland

Succession

| Piast

|-

| King
Bolesław I the Brave
also Boleslaus I the Great
Template:Langx
992 – 1025 (as duke)

18 April 1025 – 17 June 1025 (as king)
(Template:Age in years years)

| File:Bolek.jpg

| c. 967
Poznań

Son of Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia | (1) Hunilda, daughter of Rikdag

(2) Judith of Hungary
1 child

(3) Emnilda of Lusatia
5 children

(4) Oda of Meissen
1 child

| 17 June 1025
Kraków
Aged about 58

| First crowned king

Succession

| Piast

|- | King
Mieszko II Lambert
25 December 1025 – 1031
(Template:Age in years years) | Mieszko II Lambert receiving a liturgical book from Matilda of Swabia

| c. 990

Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia

| (1) Richeza of Lotharingia
4 children | 10/11 May 1034
Poznań
Aged about 44

| Crowned king

Succession

Deposed by Bezprym

| Piast

|- | Duke
Bezprym
1031 – 1032
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Bezprym.jpeg

| c. 986

Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Judith of Hungary

| Unknown | c. 1032
Aged about 46 | Usurped | Piast

|- | Duke
Otto
1032 – 1033
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Monarch-emp.png

| c. 1000

Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia

| Unknown | c. 1033
Aged about 33 | Country divided, ruler of a Duchy | Piast

|- | Duke
Dytryk
also Dietrich and Theoderick
1032 – 1033
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Monarch-emp.png

| c. 992

Son of Lambert Mieszkowic or Mieszko Mieszkowic

| Unknown | c. 1033
Aged about 41 | Country divided, ruler of a Duchy | Piast

|- | Duke
Mieszko II Lambert
1032 – 1034
(Template:Age in years years) | Mieszko II Lambert

| c. 990

Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia

| (1) Richeza of Lotharingia
4 children | 10/11 May 1034
Poznań
Aged about 44

| Country divided until 1033

Restored as duke

| Piast

|- | King
Bolesław the Forgotten
Template:Langx
1034 – 1038/1039
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Monarch-emp.png

| before 1016

Presumed son of Mieszko II Lambert

| Unknown | 1038/1039 | Semi-legendary, existence disputed | Piast

|- | Duke
Casimir I the Restorer
Template:Langx
1034/1040 – 1058
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Casimir I the Restorer.jpg

| 25 July 1016

Son of Mieszko II Lambert and Richeza of Lotharingia

| (1) Maria Dobroniega
5 children | 19 March 1058
Poznań
Aged 41

| Made prince in 1034, returned from abroad in 1040

Restoration

| Piast

|- | King
Bolesław II the Generous
Template:Langx
1058 – 1076 (as duke)
26 December 1076 – 1079 (as king)
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Boleslaus II of Poland (89920250).jpg

| 1042

Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev

| (1) Wyszesława of Kiev
1 child | 2/3 April 1081
Hungary or Ossiach
Aged about 39

| Crowned king in 1076

Deposed and exiled in 1079 after slaying Stanislaus of Szczepanów

| Piast

|- | Duke
Władysław I Herman
1079 – 4 June 1102
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Władysław I Herman by Aleksander Lesser.PNG

| 1044

Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev | (1) Unknown
1 child

(2) Judith of Bohemia
1 child

(3) Judith of Swabia
3 children

| 24 June 1102
Płock
Aged about 58 | Succeeded brother after his exile | Piast

|- | Duke
Zbigniew (duke of Poland)
1102 – 1107
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Zbigniew (112832610).jpg

| c. 1073

Son of Władysław I Herman and Przecława (?)

| Unknown | 8 July 1113
Aged about 40

| Country divided, ruler of a Duchy

Succession

| Piast

|- | Duke
Bolesław III Wrymouth
also Boleslaus III
Template:Langx
1102 – 1138
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Boleslaw Krzywousty (275002).jpg

| 20 August 1086
Płock

Son of Władysław I Herman and Judith of Bohemia | (1) Zbyslava of Kiev
1 child

(2) Salomea of Berg
12 children

| 28 October 1138
Sochaczew
Aged 52

| Country divided until 1107

Succession

His death led to the fragmentation of Poland

| Piast |}

Fragmentation of Poland (1138–1320)

Main articles: Fragmentation of the realm and Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth

After a period of fights between brothers and unstable inheritance, Bolesław III Wrymouth decided to formalize succession. According to his testament, the state was divided into provinces - one for every son and a Senioral Province with the capital city Kraków. The testament established two principles on which the new order in Poland was based: principate and seniorate. One duke, the princeps (also called in English high duke), had supreme authority over other dukes and ruled the senioral province. This princeps should be the oldest member of the dynasty, not necessarily the son of the predecessor. During the time of fragmentation, both principles were abolished. Seniorate was formally abolished in 1180 during the assembly of dukes and bishops in Łęczyca, when Casimir II the Just was made hereditary high duke. The Principate was de facto ended in 1227 with the assassination of Leszek I the White, after which local dukes no longer respected suzerainty of the high duke.

Template:Nobility table header |- | High Duke
Władysław II the Exile
Template:Langx
1138 – 1146
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Władysław II Wygnaniec by Aleksander Lesser.PNG

| 1105
Kraków

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Zbyslava of Kiev

| (1) Agnes of Babenberg
5 children | 30 May 1159
Altenburg
Aged 54

| Duke of Silesia
Succession

Deposed and exiled

| Piast

|- | High Duke
Bolesław IV the Curly
Template:Langx
1146 – 1173
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Boleslaus IV of Poland (89920492).jpg

| c. 1125

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg

| (1) Viacheslava of Novgorod
3 children | 5 January 1173
Aged about 51 | Duke of Masovia 1138
Succeeded, exiled half-brother | Piast

|- | High Duke
Mieszko III of Poland
Template:Langx
1173 – 1177
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg

| c. 1127

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg | (1) Elizabeth of Hungary, Duchess of Greater Poland

(2) Eudoxia of Kiev

| 13 March 1202
Kalisz
Aged about 75

| Duke of Greater Poland 1138
Succession

Deposed by his brother in 1177

| Piast

|- | High Duke
Casimir II the Just
Template:Langx
1177 – 1191
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg

| c. 1138

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg

| (1) Helen of Znojmo
7 children | 5 May 1194
Kraków
Aged about 56 | Usurped power from brother | Piast

|- | Mieszko III
1191 – 1191 | File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Usurped | Piast

|- | Casimir II the Just
1191 – 1194 | File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg | – | – | – | Restoration | Piast

|- | High Duke
Leszek I the White
Template:Langx
1194 – 1198
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg

| c. 1184/1185

Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo

| (1) Grzymisława of Luck
2 children | 24 November 1227
Marcinkowo Górne
Aged about 43 | Succession | Piast

|- | Mieszko III
1198 – 1199 | File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Agreement with Leszek and his regents | Piast

|- | Leszek I the White
1199 – 1199 | File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Restored | Piast

|- | Mieszko III
1199 – 1202 | File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Restored | Piast

|- | High Duke
Władysław III Spindleshanks
Template:Langx
1202 – 1206
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg

| c. 1167

Son of Mieszko III of Poland and Eudoxia of Kiev

| (1) Lucia of Rügen
2 children | 3 November 1231
Aged about 64 | Invited to rule by voivode Mikołaj Gryfita | Piast

|- | Leszek I the White
1206 – 1210 | File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Restored | Piast

|- | High Duke
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
Template:Langx
1210 – 1211
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Mieszko IV.JPG

| c. 1130

Son of Władysław II the Exile and Agnes of Babenberg

| (1) Ludmila
5 children | 16 May 1211
Aged about 81 | Usurped | Piast

|- | Leszek I the White
1211 – 1227
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg | – | – | –

| Restored

Murdered in 1227

| Piast

|- | Władysław III Spindleshanks
1228 – 1231 | File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg | – | – | – | Succession agreement with predecessor | Piast

|- | High Duke
Henry the Bearded
Template:Langx
1231 – 1238
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Henryk I Brodaty (76847868) (cropped).jpg

| c. 1165/1188
Głogów

Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?)

| (1) Hedwig of Silesia
7 children | 19 March 1238
Krosno Odrzańskie
Aged about 73 | Succession agreement with predecessor | Piast

|- | High Duke
Henry II the Pious
Template:Langx
1238 – 1241
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Henryk II Pobożny (Hedwig Codex).jpg

| c. 1196
Głogów

Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Silesia

| (1) Anne of Bohemia
10 children | 9 April 1241
Legnickie Pole
Aged about 45

| Succession

Killed at the Battle of Legnica

| Piast

|- | High Duke
Bolesław II the Horned
Template:Langx
1241 – 1241 | File:Monarch-emp.png

| c. 1220/1225
Głogów

Son of Henry II the Pious and Anne of Bohemia

| (1) Hedwig of Anhalt
7 children
(2) Euphemia of Pomerania
(3) Sophia of Dyhrn | 26 December 1278
Legnica

| Succession

Deposed

| Piast

|- | High Duke
Konrad I of Masovia
1241 – 1243
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Konrad I mazowiecki (275073).jpg

| c. 1187/1188

Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo

| (1) Agafia of Rus
10 children | 31 August 1247
Aged about 60 | Usurped | Piast

|- | High Duke
Bolesław V the Chaste
Template:Langx
1243 – 1279
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Boleslaw V Wstydliwy (76848244).jpg

| 21 June 1226
Stary Korczyn

Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck

| (1) Kinga of Poland | 7 December 1279
Kraków
Aged 52 | Restored as the rightful Duke | Piast

|- | High Duke
Leszek II the Black
Template:Langx
1279 – 1288
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Leszek Czarny by Aleksander Lesser.PNG

| c. 1241
Brześć Kujawski

Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław

| (1) Gryfina of Halych | 30 September 1288
Kraków
Aged about 47

| Adopted by predecessor

Succession

| Piast

|- | High Duke
Henry Probus
English: Henry the Righteous
Template:Langx
1288 – 1290
(Template:Age in years years) | File:Henry IV of Silesia (89921214).jpg

| c. 1257/1258

Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia | (1) Constance, Duchess of Wodzisław

(2) Matilda of Brandenburg

| 23 June 1290
Wrocław
Aged about 32 | Usurped | Piast |}

Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

In the 13th century, the idea of the reunification of Poland under a single ruler started to gain popularity. It was often connected with the coronation and establishment of the hereditary kingdom. First attempts were made by Henry II the Pious and Henry Probus, but both of them died before they managed to achieve their goals. The first duke, who became king in this period, was Przemysł II. He ruled briefly as high duke but didn't manage to unite all Polish lands. He crowned himself when ruling in his hereditary province, Greater Poland, and in the province of Eastern Pomerania. His assassination in 1296 delayed the unification of Poland by 20 years.

Template:Nobility table header |-

| King
Przemysł II
English: Premislaus II
1290 – 1291 (as High Duke)

1295 – 1296 (as King)
(1 year)

| File:Przemysl II (76843358) (cropped).jpg | File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg

| 14 October 1257
Poznań

Son of Przemysł I of Greater Poland and Elisabeth of Wrocław | (1) Ludgarda of Mecklenburg

(2) Richeza of Sweden
1 child

(3) Margaret of Brandenburg

| 8 February 1296
Rogoźno
Aged 38

| Named an heir in predecessor's testament

Crowned king in 1295

Granted Poland its coat of arms

Assassinated

| Piast |}

Přemyslid House

The House of Přemyslid were kings of Bohemia and had many family connections with the Piast dynasty. In 1291, Wenceslaus II of Bohemia exploited the weakness of an internally divided Poland and conquered Kraków, basing his claim on loose family ties with one of the previous high dukes. He later legitimised his rule by marrying the daughter of Przemysł II, which also gave him claims to Polish kingship.

Template:Nobility table header

|-

| King
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
Template:Langx
1291 – 1300 (as High Duke)

1300 – 1305 (as King)
(Template:Age in years years)

| File:Vaclav2 trun.jpg | File:Insigne Cechicum.svg

| 27 September 1271
Prague

Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Halych | (1) Judith of Habsburg
10 children

(2) Elisabeth Richeza of Poland
1 child

| 21 June 1305
Prague
Aged 33

| Usurped

Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300

| Přemyslid

|- | (Uncrowned)
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
Template:Langx
1305 – 1306
(1 year) | File:Vaclav3 pecet.jpg | File:Insigne Cechicum.svg

| 6 October 1289
Prague

Son of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and Judith of Habsburg

| (1) Viola of Teschen | 4 August 1306
Olomouc
Aged 16

| Succession

Uncrowned and assassinated

| Přemyslid |}

House of Piast (restored)

Main article: Reunited Kingdom of Poland

Near the end of the reign of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, his rule over Poland was undermined by the remaining polish dukes - especially by Władysław I the Elbow-high, who had been exiled by Wenceslaus and had a strong claim to inheritance of Przemysł II, and by Henry III, Duke of Głogów, who also was an heir of Przemysł. The assassination of Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, which led to the extinction of the Přemyslid dynasty and a succession crisis in Bohemia, left Poland to Wenceslaus's opponents. His successors in Bohemia called themselves kings of Poland until 1335. Eventually, Władysław I the Elbow-high managed to unite the two main provinces of Poland - Greater Poland and Lesser Poland - and crowned himself king in 1320, ending the period of feudal fragmentation.

Template:Nobility table header

|-

| King
Władysław I the Elbow-high
Template:Langx
1306 – 1320
(as High Duke)

20 January 1320
–
2 March 1333
(as King)
(Template:Age in years and days)

| 16th century portrait by Antoni Boys | File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg

| c. 1260

Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Euphrosyne of Opole

| (1) Jadwiga of Kalisz
6 children | 2 March 1333
Kraków
Aged about 73

| Rebellion against Přemyslid rule

Reunited the Kingdom of Poland after fragmentation

Crowned King in 1320

| Piast

|- | King
Casimir III the Great
Template:Langx
25 April 1333
–
5 November 1370
(Template:Age in years and days) | Sarcophagus effigy at Wawel Cathedral, Kraków | File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg

| 30 April 1310
Kowal

Son of Władysław I Łokietek and Jadwiga of Kalisz | (1) Aldona of Lithuania
2 children

(2) Adelaide of Hesse

(3) Christina Rokiczana

(4) Hedwig of Sagan
3 children

| 5 November 1370
Kraków
Aged 60

| Succession

Strengthened Poland's position in Europe

Died without a male heir

Last monarch from the Piast Dynasty

| Piast |}

House of Anjou

Main article: Louis I and Jadwiga of the Anjou dynasty (1370–1399)

Casimir III the Great died without male heir. According to previous agreements, his successor became his nephew, king of Hungary Louis I of Hungary, beginning the Polish-Hungarian personal union. After Louis death, his kingdoms were separated - his younger daughter, Jadwiga of Poland, became the female king of Poland after a brief interregnum. Mary, Queen of Hungary became queen of Hungary.

Template:Nobility table header

|- | King
Louis I of Hungary
Template:Langx
17 November 1370
–
10 September 1382
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Louis I (Chronica Hungarorum).jpg | File:Coa Hungary Country History Lajos I (1370).svg

| 5 March 1326
Visegrád

Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary | (1) Margaret of Bohemia, Queen of Hungary

(2) Elizabeth of Bosnia
4 children

| 10 September 1382
Nagyszombat (Trnava)
Aged 56 | Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III the Great, to the Polish throne | Anjou

|- | Queen
Jadwiga of Poland
Template:Langx
16 October 1384
–
17 July 1399
(Template:Age in years and days) | Portrait on seal | File:Coat of arms of Jadwiga of Poland.svg

| 3 October 1373–18 February 1374
Buda

Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia | (1) William, Duke of Austria (disputed)

(2) Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila)
1 child

| 17 July 1399
Kraków
Aged 25

| Succeeded her father in Poland. The last hereditary ruler of Poland.[lower-alpha 1]

Her husband was crowned jure uxoris on 4 March 1386.

| Anjou |}

House of Jagiellon

Main article: History of Poland during the Jagiellonian dynasty

Female king Jadwiga of Poland started her reign young and unmarried, which gave Poland a huge opportunity. She eventually married the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila, who adopted the name Władysław II Jagiełło after baptism. This event led to the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian personal union. After Jadwiga's death, Władysław remained king of Poland, but he and his successors were no longer considered natural lords of Poland and often had to give privileges to nobility in exchange for support of the succession of their children.

Template:Nobility table header

|- | King
Władysław II Jagiełło
Template:Langx
2 February 1386
–
1 June 1434
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Jogaila (Władysław II).jpg | File:Władysław jagiełło.png

| c. 1352/1362
Vilnius

Son of Algirdas and Uliana of Tver | (1) Jadwiga of Poland
1 child

(2) Anna of Cilli
1 child

(3) Elizabeth Granowska

(4) Sophia of Halshany
3 children

| 1 June 1434
Gródek
Aged 72–82

| Born a pagan

Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania

Crowned co-ruler as husband Jadwiga of Poland

Longest-reigning Polish monarch

| Jagiellon

|- | King
Władysław III of Poland
English: Ladislaus III of Varna
Template:Langx
25 July 1434
–
10 November 1444
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Toruń - Władysław III.(2).jpg | File:Warneńczyk.png

| 31 October 1424
Kraków

Son of Władysław II Jagiełło and Sophia of Halshany

| Unmarried and childless | 10 November 1444
Varna
Aged 20 (presumed)

| Elected as his father's successor in Poland

Presumed to be killed at the Battle of Varna

Interregnum until 1447

| Jagiellon

|- | King
Casimir IV Jagiellon
Template:Langx
25 June 1447
–
7 June 1492
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Kazimier Jagajłavič. Казімер Ягайлавіч (1645).jpg | File:Kazimierz jagiellończyk.png

| 30 November 1427
Kraków

Son of Władysław II Jagiełło and Sophia of Halshany

| Elizabeth of Austria
13 children | 7 June 1492
Grodno
Aged 64

| Election

Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania

Divided the Polish–Lithuanian realm between John I Albert and Alexander Jagiellon

| Jagiellon

|- | King
John I Albert
Template:Langx
27 August 1492
–
17 June 1501
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.4 454a.jpg | File:Jan olbracht.png

| 27 December 1459
Kraków

Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria

| Unmarried and childless | 17 June 1501
Toruń
Aged 41

| Elected as his father's successor in Poland

Laid foundation for the Sejm and Senate (Polish Parliament)

| Jagiellon

|- | King
Alexander Jagiellon
Template:Langx
3 October 1501
–
19 August 1506
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Goraj Miracle of Saint Simeon Stylites (detail).jpg | File:POL COA under the rule of Alexander Jagiellon.svg

| 5 August 1461
Kraków

Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria

| Helena of Moscow | 19 August 1506
Vilnius
Aged 45

| Succeeded his brother in Poland as elective monarch

Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania

Buried in Lithuania

| Jagiellon

|- | King
Sigismund I the Old
Template:Langx
8 December 1506
–
1 April 1548
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Kulmbach Sigismund I the Old.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Sigismund I of Poland (Order of the Golden Fleece).svg

| 1 January 1467
Kozienice

Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria | (1) Barbara Zápolya
2 children

(2) Bona Sforza
6 children

| 1 April 1548
Kraków
Aged 81 | Succeeded his brother in Lithuania, elected as his successor in Poland. | Jagiellon

|- | King
Sigismund II Augustus
Template:Langx
18 December 1529
–
7 July 1572
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Cranach the Younger Sigismund II Augustus.jpg | File:Fictional heraldic coat of arms of Žygimantas Augustas (based on a design from a 16th century tapestry) with Lithuanian coat of arms Vytis, Polish Eagle and coats of arms of Volhynia, Smolensk, Kyiv voivodeships.png

| 1 August 1520
Kraków

Son of Sigismund I the Old and Bona Sforza | (1) Elizabeth of Austria

(2) Barbara Radziwiłł

(3) Catherine of Austria

| 7 July 1572
Knyszyn
Aged 51

| Election vivente rege

Formation of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth with an elective monarchy

Last male member of the Jagiellonian Dynasty, died heirless.

| Jagiellon |}

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1569–1795

Main articles: Rzeczpospolita, History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1648), History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1648–1764), and History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1764–1795)

In 1569, King Sigismund II Augustus, knowing that he had no heir, united Poland and Lithuania into a single entity — the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth — to ensure that after his death both nations would remain under the same monarch. He also declared that after his death, the nobility would elect his successor, beginning the elective monarchy not constricted to members of one dynasty, like during the Jagiellons. He also ensured that all nobles would decide the next king, not only the richest and most powerful ones. The first post-Jagiellonic elective king, Henry III of France, signed the Henrician Articles, which guaranteed free elections and the rule of the nobility over the state. He, and every ruler after him, had to sign a "pacta conventa" — a document of policies that the king promised to implement. After the death of every king, the primate of Poland became an interrex; a temporary head of state, until a new king was elected.

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|- | King
Henry III of France
Template:Langx
16 May 1573
–
12 May 1575
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Henri III - portrait after Jean Decourt - Musée Condé.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Henry III of France.svg

| 19 September 1551
Fontainebleau

Son of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici

| (1) Louise of Lorraine | 2 August 1589
Saint-Cloud
Aged 37

| Elected

Left Poland in June 1574 to succeed his brother in France

Interregnum until 1575

| Valois

|- | Queen
Anna Jagiellon
Template:Langx
15 December 1575
–
19 August 1587
(de facto)
(Template:Age in years and days)
–
9 September 1596
(de jure)
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Kober Anna Jagiellon as a widow.jpg | File:COA family pl Jagiellon.svg

| 18 October 1523
Kraków

Daughter of Sigismund I the Old and Bona Sforza

| (1) Stephen Báthory | 9 September 1596
Warsaw
Aged 72

| Elected co-monarch with Stephen Báthory

Ruled only formally

Sole ruler until Báthory's arrival and coronation in May 1576

Ruled after husband's death until her nephew was elected.

| Jagiellon

|- | King
Stephen Báthory
Template:Langx
1 May 1576
–
12 December 1586
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Riehl Portrait of Stephen Bathory.jpg | File:Bathory coat of arms.svg

| 27 September 1533
Szilágysomlyó

Son of Stephen VIII Báthory and Catherine Telegdi

| (1) Anna Jagiellon | 12 December 1586
Grodno
Aged 53

| Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon

Prince of Transylvania.

| Báthory

|- | King
Sigismund III Vasa
Template:Langx
19 August 1587
–
30 April 1632
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Soutman Sigismund III Vasa in coronation robes.jpg | File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg

| 20 June 1566
Gripsholm

Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon | (1) Anne of Austria
5 children

(2) Constance of Austria
7 children

| 30 April 1632
Warsaw
Aged 65

| Elected, nephew of Anna Jagiellon

Transferred capital from Kraków to Warsaw

Hereditary King of Sweden until deposition in 1599.

| Vasa

|- | King
Władysław IV Vasa
also Ladislaus IV
Template:Langx
8 November 1632
–
20 May 1648
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Rubens Wladyslaw Vasa.jpg | File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg

| 9 June 1595
Łobzów

Son of Sigismund III Vasa and Anne of Austria | (1) Cecilia Renata of Austria
3 children

(2) Marie Louise Gonzaga

| 20 May 1648
Merkinė
Aged 52

| Elected after the death of his father

Also titular King of Sweden and elected Tsar of Russia (1610–1613) when the Polish army captured Moscow.

| Vasa

|- | King
John II Casimir
Template:Langx
20 November 1648
–
16 September 1668
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Schultz John II Casimir Vasa.jpg | File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg

| 22 March 1609
Kraków

Son of Sigismund III Vasa and Constance of Austria | (1) Marie Louise Gonzaga
2 children

(2) Claudine Françoise Mignot (allegedly)
1 child?

| 16 December 1672
Nevers
Aged 63

| Elected after the death of his half-brother

Previously a cardinal

Titular King of Sweden

Abdicated.

| Vasa

|- | King
Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki
Template:Langx
19 June 1669
–
10 November 1673
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:King Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Michal Korybut Wisniowiecki as king of Poland.svg

| 31 May 1640
Biały Kamień

Son of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki and Gryzelda Konstancja Wiśniowiecka

| Eleonora Maria of Austria
1 child | 10 November 1673
Lwów
Aged 33

| Elected

Born into nobility of mixed heritage, the son of a military commander and governor

| Wiśniowiecki

|- | King
John III Sobieski
Template:Langx
19 May 1674
–
17 June 1696
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Schultz John III Sobieski.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Jan Sobieski as king of Poland.svg

| 17 August 1629
Olesko

Son of Jakub Sobieski and Teofila Zofia Sobieska

| (1) Marie Casimire d'Arquien
13 children | 17 June 1696
Wilanów
Aged 66

| Elected

Born into nobility

A successful military commander

| Sobieski

|- | King
Augustus II the Strong
Template:Langx
15 September 1697
–
1706
(1st reign, 9 years) | File:August II the Strong.PNG | File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg

| 12 May 1670
Dresden

Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark

| (1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
1 child | 1 February 1733
Warsaw
Aged 62

| Elected

Previously Elector and ruler of Saxony

Dethroned by Stanislaus I in 1706 during the Great Northern War

| Wettin

|- | King
Stanisław Leszczyński
Template:Langx
12 July 1704
–
8 July 1709
(1st reign, Template:Age in years and days) | File:Mányoki Stanislaus Leszczyński.png | File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Leszczynski as king of Poland.svg

| 20 October 1677
Lwów

Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Leszczyńska

| (1) Catherine Opalińska
2 children | 23 February 1766
Lunéville
Aged 88

| Usurped

Nominated as ruler in 1704, crowned in 1705 and deposed predecessor in 1706

Exiled in 1709

| Leszczyński

|- | King
Augustus II the Strong
Template:Langx
8 July 1709
–
1 February 1733
(2nd reign, Template:Age in years and days) | File:August II (1670-1733).jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg

| 12 May 1670
Dresden

Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark

| (1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
1 child | 1 February 1733
Warsaw
Aged 62 | Restored | Wettin

|- | King
Stanisław Leszczyński
Template:Langx
12 September 1733
–
26 January 1736
(2nd reign, Template:Age in years and days) | File:Attribué à Jean Girardet - Portrait de Stanislas en costume d’apparat.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Leszczynski as king of Poland.svg

| 20 October 1677
Lwów

Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska

| (1) Catherine Opalińska
2 children, including Marie, Queen of France | 23 February 1766
Lunéville
Aged 88

| Elected

His election sparked the War of the Polish Succession

Deposed by Augustus III of Poland in 1736

| Leszczyński

|- | King
Augustus III of Poland
Template:Langx
5 October 1733
–
5 October 1763
(30 years) | File:Louis de Silvestre - Portrait of Augustus III of Poland (after 1733) - Google Art Project.jpg | File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg

| 17 October 1696
Dresden

Son of Augustus II the Strong and Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth

| (1) Maria Josepha of Austria
16 children | 5 October 1763
Dresden
Aged 66

| Usurped

Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734

Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736

| Wettin

|- | King
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Template:Langx
7 September 1764
–
25 November 1795
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Stanisław II August Poniatowski in coronation clothes.PNG | File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Augustus as king of Poland.svg

| 17 January 1732
Wołczyn

Son of Stanisław Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska

| Officially unmarried;
(1) Elżbieta Szydłowska
(allegedly)
presumably several unacknowledged children | 1 February 1798
Saint Petersburg
Aged 66

| Elected

Born into nobility

Last King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, his reign ended in the Partitions of Poland

| Poniatowski |}

Duchy of Warsaw, 1807–1815

Main article: Duchy of Warsaw

After a long period of instability and anarchy, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was divided among its neighbours—Russia, Prussia and Austria. During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw from the lands of the Prussian partition. Some parts of the Austrian partition were later added to the Duchy. The Duchy had its own duke and government, but was fully dependent on France. After the fall of Napoleon, the duchy was divided between Russia and Prussia.

Template:Nobility table header

|- | Grand Duke
Frederick Augustus I of Saxony
Template:Langx
9 June 1807
–
22 May 1815
(Template:Age in years and days) | File:Frederick Augustus I of Saxony by Marcello Bacciarelli (ca 1808-1809).png | File:Grand Coat of Arms of Duchy of Warsaw.svg

| 23 December 1750
Dresden

Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria

| (1) Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
1 child | 5 May 1827
Dresden
Aged 76

| Treaties of Tilsit

Designated as a king of Poland by General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland, 1812.

| Wettin |}

Poland from 1815 to 1918

After the fall of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Polish lands were reorganised. Prussia annexed Greater Poland and created the Grand Duchy of Posen, Kraków became a free city and the rest of the former Duchy of Warsaw became part of the Russian Empire, as Congress Kingdom of Poland. In 1846, Kraków was annexed by Austria, as Grand Duchy of Kraków, and in 1848, the Grand Duchy of Posen was dissolved. In 1867, after the failed January Uprising, the remaining autonomy of Congress Poland was abolished. During World War I, in German occupied Congress Poland, the Regency Kingdom was formed and lasted from 1917 to 1918. After Poland regained independence in 1918, a republican system with the president as head of state was established.

See the list of rulers of partitioned Poland.

Family tree of the rulers of Poland

Part of this section is transcluded from Family tree of Polish monarchs. (edit | history)

Family tree of Polish monarchs

Pretenders to the Polish throne

Template:History of Poland

Modern

Not recognized royal elections

Main article: Royal elections in Poland

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Hereditary

References

  1. ↑ Henry Elliot Malden (4 July 2014). Salus Vienna Tua: The great siege of 1683. Soldiershop Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 978-88-96519-84-4.
  2. ↑ dated around 700 by Marcin Bielski
  3. ↑ Jasiński, Kazimierz (1992). Rodowód pierwszych Piastów. p. 46.
  4. ↑ Janusz Roszko (1980). Kolebka Siemowita. Iskry. p. 170. ISBN 978-83-207-0090-9. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  5. ↑ Quaestiones Medii Aevi Novae. Wydawn. DiG. 2000.
  6. ↑ Polski Indeks Biograficzny. Walter de Gruyter. 18 May 2012. ISBN 9783110947977.
  7. ↑ Lukowski, Jerzy; Hubert Zawadzki (2006). A Concise History of Poland. Cambridge University Press. pp. 3–4. ISBN 978-0-521-61857-1.
  8. ↑ "How prince Kiril could become king of Poland (in Bulgarian)". bulgarianhistory.org. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  9. ↑ Pia Lucchesi (20 August 2017). "Prinz Daniel hat Prioritäten: Lieber Gemeinderat als König von Polen". TAG24. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

Bibliography

Template:Monarchs of Poland Template:Poland topics

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