Historical calendar: December 25, 1025 – coronation ceremony Lives II

Historical calendar – the anniversary of coronation of the second king of Poland – Lives II Lambert. This ruler continued his father’s political line, leading to his defeat.

Today in our calendar we will look at the past of Poland just after the death of Bolesław Chrobry.

The last large success of Chrobry was obtaining the papal consent for the coronation, which was most likely held around Easter 1025. Shortly after that act, the king died. His successor was Mieszko II, who was crowned in the same year, on December 25.

The fresh ruler, with a character and skill very akin to his father, full continued the policy of the predecessor. He maintained a strong team, expanded the ecclesiastical organization, and led an offensive abroad policy. Along with Hungary, he supported the anti-CEsar opposition in Germany and traveled respective times to Saxony, where he earned crucial spoils. But the first successes rapidly became a disaster.

Another agreement between the Empire and the Kiev Rusi led to an attack on Poland from 2 sides. The 3rd attacker was the Czechs. As a result, by 1031 Mieszko II lost control of all his father's acquisitions (Milsko, Lusatia, Red Castles, Moravia), but it was not the end of misfortune. Against the ruler, he supported any of his mighty brother Bezprim, who had stayed in the monastery so far.

He was most likely the 1 who helped assemble the coalition of the Empire and Russia against Poland. He took possession of the country briefly, and Lives forced him to flee abroad, from where he returned in the winning campaign, but shortly thereafter died (1034). The unprime proved to be a thoughtless, cruel despot, and he satisfied himself with the title of Prince and sent the royal insignia back to the German emperor. His panic was so unbearable that little than a year after he took over, he was murdered by his own entourage.

It is possible that his despotic practices were the direct origin of the open revolt of the population. The large uprising, which since around 1032 has been taking over more and more parts of the state and whose head was undoubtedly ambitious, led to the demolition of a already weakened country.

The boy of Mieszko II – Kazimierz, was incapable to control the situation and was forced to flee to Hungary. The scale of the collapse of the state was completed by the invasion of the Duke of large Poland CastislavWho utilized the situation to avenge the harm suffered in the days of Chrobry. Meanwhile, Mieclav, who, with a large deal of probability, contributed to the population's rebellion, declared himself an independent prince in Mazowsze. He shortly began further plotting against Kazimierz, hoping to establish a fresh dynasty.

The emergence of the population is frequently called a pagan reaction in historiography, though his blade was primarily directed against the economical oppression of the prince and government officials alternatively than Christianity. The fresh religion was very attractive; not only for the court and state dignitaries, but besides for craftsmen, merchants, and tiny landowners who saw the applicable benefits of it.

The Russian sources say that "people rose up and killed bishops and priests and their masters, and there was a large uprising." In contrast, the chronicles of the Czech days of the invasion of Brestislav describe this somewhat differently. According to them, intact temples were encountered on the way of the invasion, which were plundered and destroyed only by the Czechs.

Thus, the murderous governments of Chrobry and Lives II, who clashed with all their neighbours, led to the collapse of the Polish statehood.

Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.