24 Facts About Mieszko I

For most of his reign, Mieszko I waged war for control of Western Pomerania.

Mieszko I eventually annexed it to the vicinity of the lower Oder River.

In foreign policy, Mieszko I placed the interests of his country foremost and entered into agreements with his former foes.

Mieszko I successfully used diplomacy by concluding alliances with Bohemia, Sweden and the Holy Roman Empire.

Mieszko I enigmatically appeared as "Dagome" in a papal document dating to about 1085, called Dagome iudex, which mentions a gift or dedication of Mieszko's land to the Pope almost a hundred years earlier.

The term possibly refers to Mieszko I's adopted Christian name, Dagobert, which often features in historical writing.

The homage is then a separate issue, since, according to the chronicle of Thietmar, Mieszko I actually paid tribute to the Emperor from the lands usque in Vurta fluvium.

Probably in 964 Mieszko I began negotiations with Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia.

At the time of the baptism of Mieszko I the existing Bohemian church establishment was a part of the Regensburg diocese.

The exact result of Mieszko I's fighting in the west of Pomerania is not known.

In one version of the legend of Saint Adalbert of Prague it is written that Mieszko I had his daughter married to a Pomeranian prince, who previously voluntarily "was washed with the holy water of the baptism" in Poland.

Mieszko I's conflict with Odo I was a surprising event because, according to Thietmar, Mieszko I respected the Margrave highly.

However, Widukind in the 10th century mentions Mieszko I ruled over the Sclavi tribe of Licicaviki, which is identified with the Lendians.

The marriage with Oda considerably affected the position and prestige of Mieszko I, who entered the world of Saxon aristocracy.

Probably in the early 980s Mieszko I allied his country with Sweden against Denmark.

Mieszko I decided on the alliance with Sweden probably in order to help protect his possessions in Pomerania from the Danish King Harald Bluetooth and his son Sweyn.

Mieszko I's regency was claimed by Henry II of Bavaria.

One year later, the Polish ruler had a personal meeting with the Emperor, an event mentioned in the Annals of Hersfeld, which reported that "Otto the boy-king ravaged Bohemia, but received Mieszko I who arrived with gifts".

Bohemia resumed its earlier alliance with the Lutici, which, in 990, resulted in a war with Mieszko I, who was supported by Empress Theophanu.

Possibly Mieszko I took the region before 990, which is indicated by the vague remark of Thietmar, who wrote of a country taken by Mieszko I from Boleslaus.

Mieszko I's state was the first state that could be called Poland.

Mieszko I is often considered the founder, the principal creator and builder of the Polish state.

Mieszko I was the first ruler to conduct efficient foreign policy, which included agreements with Germany, Bohemia and Sweden, and prudently used his military resources.

Mieszko I was abducted by her future husband from the monastery of Kalbe.