List of Polish monarchs

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.

Monarchy of Poland

Royal coat of arms

Stanislaus II Augustus

Details
Style|

* Royal Majesty (HRM)[1]
Wasza Królewska Mość
* Serene Reigning Majesty
Jaśnie Panujący Mości[2]
* Grace (HG)
Wasza Miłość
* Highness (HH)
Wasza Wysokość

First monarch|

* Mieszko I (as Duke)
* Bolesław I the Brave (as King)

Last monarch| Stanislaus II Augustus
Formation| c. 960 (Duchy of Poland)
Abolition| 25 November 1795
Residence|

* Wawel Castle
* Warsaw Castle
* Wilanów Palace

Appointer| Hereditary[a]
Elective
Pretender(s)|

* none
* Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (disputed)
* Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (disputed)

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, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th to 18th centuries).

The first Polish ruler whose existence is not debatable was Duke Mieszko I, who 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 as king of both Poland and Hungary. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania, who in 1386 was baptized and crowned as Władysław II Jagiełło, thus creating the Jagiellonian dynasty and a personal union between Poland and Lithuania.

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 became an 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 meaningful rule of the Vasa dynasty initially expanded the 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. However, the years that followed were not as successful.[3] The long and ineffective rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III) 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 Stanislaus II Augustus, yet another enlightened, but ineffective monarch. The last true sovereign of Poland was Frederick Augustus I as Duke of Warsaw, who throughout his political career attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, many sovereigns claimed the title of Polish king, duke or ruler, notably German (the King of Prussia was also the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Posen 1815-1918), Russian (the Congress Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1815 with the widely unrecognized title of King of Poland to the Emperor of Russia until 1915) and Austrian emperors (the Emperor of Austria was sovereign of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria between 1772 and 1918, and the Grand Duchy of Kraków between 1846 and 1918). The 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

[edit]

Further information: 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.

Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

|
|
|
|
|
|

Lech |  | Unknown  | Unknown  | Unknown  | Legendary founder of the Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader  | Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus I
also Krak or Grakch
c. 8th century |  | c. 8th century | Unknown  | c. 8th century | Legendary founder of Kraków | Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus II
c. 8th century |  | c. 8th century
Son of Krakus I | Unknown  | c. 8th century | Succession  | Lechites (Tribe)
Lech II

c. 8th century |  | c. 8th century
Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II | Unknown  | c. 8th century | Succession  | Lechites (Tribe)
Wanda
also Wąda
c. 8th century |  | 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 |  | c. 7th centuries

c. 8th centuries | Unknown  | c. 7th centuries[4]

c. 8th centuries | Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned

* * *

Elected  | Goplans and Polans (Tribes)
Duke
Leszko II
c. 8th century |  | 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 |  | c. 8th centuries
Presumed son of Leszko II | Unknown  | c. 8th centuries | Succession  | Popielids
Duke
Popiel I
c. 8th century |  | c. 8th centuries
Presumed son of Leszko III | Unknown  | c. 8th centuries | Succession  | Popielids
Duke
Popiel II
c. 9th century |  | c. 9th century
Presumed son of Popiel I | (1) NN, A German Princess  | c. 9th century | A legendary ruler 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 |  | c. 9th century
Son of Chościsko | (1) Rzepicha | 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

## Debatable rulers

[edit]

Further information: Polans (western) and Greater Poland

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 actually existing rulers.[5]

Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Duke
Siemowit
also Ziemowit

9th century  |  | 9th century
Presumed son of Piast the Wheelwright
and Rzepicha | Unknown  | 9th century  | Named the Duke of the Polans after his father, Piast the Wheelwright, refused to take the place of legendary Duke Popiel

* * *

Elected  | Piast | [6]
Duke
Lestek
also Leszek or Lestko
9th century

10th century  |  | c. 870–880
Presumed son of Siemowit | Unknown  | c. 930–950  | Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father

* * *

Succession  | Piast | [7][8]
Duke
Siemomysł
also Ziemomysł
Latin: Zemomislaus
10th century

c. 950/960  |  | c. 900
Presumed son of Lestek | Unknown  | c. 950–960  | Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father

* * *

Succession  | Piast | [9]

## House of Piast

[edit]

See also: History of Poland during the Piast dynasty

Mieszko I started his reign as leader of Polans tribe, 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 descendents ruled the state as natural lords and Poland was seen as their hereditary property. Because of that, the state was often divided between sons of 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 title of king, but effects of those efforts were short lived.

Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

|
|
|
|
|
|

Duke
Mieszko I
Latin: Misico, dux Wandalorum
c. 960

25 May 992
(31–32 years) |  | 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
Polish: Bolesław I Chrobry (Wielki)
992–1025 (as duke)

* * *

18 April 1025–17 June 1025 (as king)
(32–33 years) |  | c. 967
Poznań

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Judith of Hungary

* * *

(3) Emnilda of Lusatia

* * *

(4) Oda of Meissen | 17 June 1025
Kraków
Aged about 58  | First crowned king

* * *

Succession  | Piast
King
Mieszko II Lambert
25 December 1025–1031
(5–6 years) |  | 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 (0–1 years) |  | c. 986

* * *

Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Judith of Hungary | Unknown  | c. 1032
Aged about 46  | Usurped  | Piast
Duke
Otto
1032–1033 (0–1 years) |  | 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 (0–1 years) |  | 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
(1–2 years) |  | 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
Polish: Bolesław Zapomniany
1034–1038/1039
(4–5 years) |  | before 1016

* * *

Presumed son of Mieszko II Lambert | Unknown  | 1038/1039  | Semi-legendary, existence disputed  | Piast
Duke
Casimir I the Restorer
Polish: Kazimierz I Odnowiciel
1034/1040–1058
(17–18 years) |  | 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
Polish: Bolesław II Szczodry (Śmiały)
1058–1076 (as duke)
26 December 1076–1079 (as king)
(20–21 years) |  | 1042

* * *

Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega | (1) Wyszesława, 1 son  | 2/3 April 1081
Hungary or Ossiach
Aged about 39  | Crowned king in 1076

* * *

Deposed and exiled in 1079 after slaying Saint Stanislaus | Piast
Duke
Władysław I Herman
1079–4 June 1102
(22–23 years) |  | 1044

* * *

Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega | (1) Przecława

* * *

(2) Judith of Bohemia

* * *

(3) Judith of Swabia | 24 June 1102
Płock
Aged about 58  | Succeeded brother after his exile  | Piast
Duke
Zbigniew
1102–1107
(4–5 years) |  | 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
Polish: Bolesław III Krzywousty
1102–1138
(35–36 years) |  | 20 August 1086
Płock

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Salomea of Berg | 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)

[edit]

See also: Fragmentation of the realm and Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth

After 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 Senioral Province with capital city – Kraków. The testament established two principles on which new order in Poland was based - principate and seniorate. According to principate one duke - princeps (also called in English high duke) had supreme authority over other dukes and ruled in senioral province. According to seniorate princeps should be the oldest member of the dynasty, not necessarily son of the predecessor. During time of feudal fragmentation, as this period is called, both principles were abolished. Seniorate was formally abolished in 1180 during assembly of dukes and bishops in Łęczyca, where Casimir II the Just was made hereditary high duke. Principate was de facto abolished in 1227 with assassination of Leszek the White, after which local dukes no longer respected suzereinity of high duke, whose title became only prestigious.

Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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|
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High Duke
Władysław II the Exile
Polish: Władysław II Wygnaniec
1138–1146
(7–8 years) |  | 1105
Kraków

* * *

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Zbyslava of Kiev | (1) Agnes of Babenberg, 5 children  | 30 May 1159
Altenburg
Aged 54  | Succession

* * *

Deposed and exiled  | Piast
High Duke
Bolesław IV the Curly
Polish: Bolesław IV Kędzierzawy
1146–1173
(26–27 years) |  | c. 1125

* * *

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg | (1) Viacheslava of Novgorod, 3 children  | 5 January 1173
Aged about 51  | Succeeded exiled half-brother  | Piast
High Duke
Mieszko III
Polish: Mieszko III Stary
1173–1177
(3–4 years) |  | c. 1127

* * *

Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg | (1) Elisabeth of Hungary

* * *

(2) Eudoxia of Kiev | 13 March 1202
Kalisz
Aged about 75  | Succession

* * *

Deposed by brother in 1177  | Piast
High Duke
Casimir II the Just
Polish: Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy
1177–1191
(13–14 years) |  | 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  |  | –  | –  | –  | Usurped  | Piast
Casimir II the Just
1191–1194  |  | –  | –  | –  | Restoration  | Piast
High Duke
Leszek I the White
Polish: Leszek Biały
1194–1198
(3–4 years) |  | 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  |  | –  | –  | –  | Agreement with Leszek and his regents  | Piast
Leszek I the White
1199–1199  |  | –  | –  | –  | Restored  | Piast
Mieszko III
1199–1202  |  | –  | –  | –  | Restored  | Piast
High Duke
Władysław III Spindleshanks
Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi
1202–1206
(3–4 years) |  | c. 1167

* * *

Son of Mieszko III 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  |  | –  | –  | –  | Restored  | Piast
High Duke
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
Polish: Mieszko IV Plątonogi
1210–1211
(0–1 years) |  | 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
(15–16 years) |  | –  | –  | –  | Restored

* * *

Murdered in 1227  | Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks
1228–1231  |  | –  | –  | –  | Succession agreement with predecessor  | Piast
High Duke
Henry I the Bearded
Polish: Henryk I Brodaty
1231–1238
(6–7 years) |  | c. 1165/1188
Głogów

* * *

Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?)  | (1) Hedwig of Andechs, 7 children  | 19 March 1238
Krosno Odrzańskie
Aged about 73  | Succession agreement with predecessor  | Piast
High Duke
Henry II the Pious
Polish: Henryk II Pobożny
1238–1241
(2–3 years) |  | c. 1196
Głogów

* * *

Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Andechs | (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
Polish: Bolesław II Rogatka
1241–1241  |  | 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
(1–2 years) |  | 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
Polish: Bolesław V Wstydliwy
1243–1279
(35–36 years) |  | 21 June 1226
Stary Korczyn

* * *

Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck | (1) Kinga of Poland, no children  | 7 December 1279
Kraków
Aged 52  | Restored as rightful Duke  | Piast
High Duke
Leszek II the Black
Polish: Leszek Czarny
1279–1288
(8–9 years) |  | 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
Henryk IV Probus
English: Henry the Righteous
Polish: Henryk IV Prawy
1288–1290
(8–9 years) |  | c. 1257/1258

* * *

Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia  | (1) Constance of Opole

* * *

(2) Matilda of Brandenburg | 23 June 1290
Wrocław
Aged about 32  | Usurped  | Piast

### Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

[edit]

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

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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

* * *

1295–1296 (as King)
(1 year) |  |  | 14 October 1257
Poznań

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Richeza of Sweden

* * *

(3) Margaret of Brandenburg | 8 February 1296
Rogoźno
Aged 38  | Named an heir in predecessors testament

* * *

Crowned king in 1295

* * *

Granted Poland its coat of arms

* * *

Assassinated  | Piast

## Přemyslid House

[edit]

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

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

|
|
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King
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
Polish: Wacław II Czeski
1291–1300 (as High Duke)

* * *

1300–1305 (as King)
(4–5 years) |  |  | 27 September 1271
Prague

* * *

Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia | (1) Judith of Habsburg

* * *

(2) Elisabeth Richeza of Poland | 21 June 1305
Prague
Aged 33  | Usurped

* * *

Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300  | Přemyslid
(Uncrowned)
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
Polish: Wacław III Czeski
1305–1306
(1 year) |  |  | 6 October 1289
Prague

* * *

Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg | (1) Viola of Teschen | 4 August 1306
Olomouc
Aged 16  | Succession

* * *

Uncrowned and assassinated  | Přemyslid

## House of Piast (restored)

[edit]

See also: Reunited Kingdom of Poland

Near the end of the reign of Wenceslaus II his rule over Poland was undermined by remaining polish dukes - especially by Ladislaus the Short, who was exiled by Wenceslauss and had strong claim to inheritance of Przemysł II, and by Henry III of Głogów, who also was successor of Przemysł. Assassination of Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, which led to extinction of Přemyslid dynasty and succession crisis in Bohemia, left Poland for Wenceslaus opponents. His successors in Bohemia called themselves kings of Poland until Congress of Visegrád in 1335. Eventually Ladislaus the Short managed to unite two main provinces of Poland - Greater Poland and Lesser Poland and crowned himself king in 1320 ending the period of feudal fragmentation.

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

|
|
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|

King
Ladislaus the Short
Polish: Władysław I Łokietek
1306–1320
(as High Duke)

* * *

20 January 1320

2 March 1333
(as King)
(26 years, 183 days) |  |  | 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
Polish: Kazimierz III Wielki
25 April 1333

5 November 1370
(37 years, 195 days) |  |  | 30 April 1310
Kowal

* * *

Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high 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

[edit]

See also: 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, beginning Polish-Hungarian personal union. After Louis death his kingdoms were separated - his younger daughter, Hedwig became king of Poland after brief interregnum (she is called king because in Poland title "queen" is reserved only for kings wife, not for sole ruler) and older daughter, Mary became queen of Hungary.

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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|

King
Louis
Polish: Ludwik Węgierski
17 November 1370

10 September 1382
(11 years, 298 days) |  |  | 5 March 1326
Visegrád

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Elizabeth of Bosnia, 4 children  | 10 September 1382
Nagyszombat (Trnava)
Aged 56  | Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III, to the Polish throne  | Anjou
King
Hedwig
Polish: Jadwiga
16 October 1384

17 July 1399
(14 years, 275 days) |  |  | 3 October 1373–18 February 1374
Buda

* * *

Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia | Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila), 1 child  | 17 July 1399
Kraków
Aged 25  | Succeeded her father in Poland. The last hereditary ruler of Poland.[a]

* * *

Her husband was crowned jure uxoris on 4 March 1386.  | Anjou

## House of Jagiellon

[edit]

See also: History of Poland during the Jagiellonian dynasty

Female king Hedwig 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 after baptism. This event led to the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian personal union. After Hedwigs 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 succession of their children.

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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King
Władysław II Jagiełło
Lithuanian: Jogaila
4 March 1386

1 June 1434
(48 years, 90 days) |  |  | c. 1352/1362
Vilnius

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Anna of Cilli, 1 child

* * *

(3) Elisabeth of Pilica

* * *

(4) Sophia of Halshany, 3 children  | 1 June 1434
Gródek
Aged 72–82  | Born a pagan

* * *

Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania

* * *

Crowned co-ruler with wife Hedwig

* * *

Longest-reigning Polish monarch  | Jagiellon
King
Władysław III
English: Ladislaus III of Varna
Polish: Władysław III Warneńczyk
25 July 1434

10 November 1444
(10 years, 109 days) |  |  | 31 October 1424
Kraków

* * *

Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany | Unmarried and childless  | 10 November 1444
Varna
Aged 20  | Elected as his father successor in Poland

* * *

Killed at the Battle of Varna

* * *

Interregnum until 1447  | Jagiellon
King
Casimir IV
Polish: Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk
25 June 1447

7 June 1492
(44 years, 349 days) |  |  | 30 November 1427
Kraków

* * *

Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany | Elizabeth of Habsburg, 13 children  | 7 June 1492
Grodno
Aged 64  | Election

* * *

Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania

* * *

Divided the Polish-Lithuanian realm between John and Alexander | Jagiellon
King
John I Albert
Polish: Jan I Olbracht
23 September 1492

17 June 1501
(8 years, 268 days) |  |  | 27 December 1459
Kraków

* * *

Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg | 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
Polish: Aleksander Jagiellończyk
12 December 1501

19 August 1506
(4 years, 251 days) |  |  | 5 August 1461
Kraków

* * *

Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg |  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
Polish: Zygmunt I Stary
8 December 1506

1 April 1548
(41 years, 116 days) |  |  | 1 January 1467
Kozienice

* * *

Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg | (1) Barbara Zápolya, 2 children

* * *

(2) Bona Sforza, 6 children  | 1 April 1548
Kraków
Aged 81  | Succeeded his brother Lithuania, elected as his successor in Poland.  | Jagiellon
King
Sigismund II Augustus
Polish: Zygmunt II August
18 December 1529

7 July 1572
(42 years, 203 days) |  |  | 1 August 1520
Kraków

* * *

Son of Sigismund I 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

[edit]

See also: Rzeczpospolita, History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1648), History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1648–1764), and History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1764–95)

In 1569, king Sigismund II Augustus, knowing that he had no heir, united Poland and Lithuania into single entity - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, to ensure that after his death both nations will remain under the same monarch. He also declared that after his death, the nobility would elect his successor, beginning the elective monarchy. He also ensured, that all nobles would decide the next king, not only the richest and most powerful ones. The first elective king - Henry of Valois 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 death of every king, an interregnum would be announced and the primate of Poland became an interrex; a temporary head of state, until a new king was elected.

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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King
Henry
Polish: Henryk Walezy
16 May 1573

12 May 1575
(1 year, 362 days) |  |  | 19 September 1551
Fontainebleau

* * *

Son of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici | (1) Louise of Lorraine, no children  | 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
Polish: Anna Jagiellonka
15 December 1575

19 August 1587
(de facto)
(11 years, 248 days)

9 September 1596
(de jure)
(20 years, 270 days) |  |  | 18 October 1523
Kraków

* * *

Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza | (1) Stephen Báthory, no children  | 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
Polish: Stefan Batory
1 May 1576

12 December 1586
(10 years, 226 days) |  |  | 27 September 1533
Szilágysomlyó

* * *

Son of Stephen Báthory of Somlyó and Catherine Telegdi | (1) Anna Jagiellon, no children  | 12 December 1586
Grodno
Aged 53  | Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon

* * *

Prince of Transylvania | Báthory
King
Sigismund III
Polish: Zygmunt III Waza
19 August 1587

30 April 1632
(44 years, 256 days) |  |  | 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
also Ladislaus IV
Polish: Władysław IV Waza
8 November 1632

20 May 1648
(15 years, 195 days) |  |  | 9 June 1595
Łobzów

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Marie Louise Gonzaga | 20 May 1648
Merkinė
Aged 52  | Elective succession

* * *

Also titular King of Sweden and elected Tsar of Russia (1610–1613) when the Polish army captured Moscow | Vasa
King
John II Casimir
Polish: Jan II Kazimierz
20 November 1648

16 September 1668
(19 years, 302 days) |  |  | 22 March 1609
Kraków

* * *

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

* * *

(2) Claudine Françoise Mignot (morganatic marriage)  | 16 December 1672
Nevers
Aged 63  | Elective succession, succeeded half-brother

* * *

Previously a cardinal

* * *

Titular King of Sweden

* * *

Abdicated | Vasa
King
Michael I
Polish: Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki
19 June 1669

10 November 1673
(4 years, 145 days) |  |  | 31 May 1640
Biały Kamień

* * *

Son of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska |  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
Polish: Jan III Sobieski
19 May 1674

17 June 1696
(22 years, 30 days) |  |  | 17 August 1629
Olesko

* * *

Son of Jakub Sobieski and Teofila Zofia | (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
Polish: August II Mocny
15 September 1697

1706
(1st reign, 9 years) |  |  | 12 May 1670
Dresden

* * *

Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark | (1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife  | 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
Stanislaus I
Polish: Stanisław I Leszczyński
12 July 1704

8 July 1709
(1st reign, 4 years, 362 days) |  |  | 20 October 1677
Lwów

* * *

Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska | (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
Polish: August II Mocny
8 July 1709

1 February 1733
(2nd reign, 23 years, 209 days) |  |  | 12 May 1670
Dresden

* * *

Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark | (1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife  | 1 February 1733
Warsaw
Aged 62  | Restored  | Wettin
King
Stanislaus I
Polish: Stanisław I Leszczyński
12 September 1733

26 January 1736
(2nd reign, 2 years, 137 days) |  |  | 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 in 1736  | Leszczyński
King
Augustus III
Polish: August III Sas
5 October 1733

5 October 1763
(30 years) |  |  | 17 October 1696
Dresden

* * *

Son of Augustus II the Strong and Christiane Eberhardine | (1) Maria Josepha of Austria, 16 children, including Maria Josepha, Dauphine of France | 5 October 1763
Dresden
Aged 66  | Usurped

* * *

Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734

* * *

Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736  | Wettin
King
Stanislaus II Augustus
Polish: Stanisław II August
7 September 1764

25 November 1795
(31 years, 80 days) |  |  | 17 January 1732
Wołczyn

* * *

Son of Stanisław Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska | Unmarried, had illegitimate children including with Empress Catherine II of Russia | 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

[edit]

See also: Duchy of Warsaw

After 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 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.

Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House

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Grand Duke
Frederick Augustus I
Polish: Fryderyk August I
9 June 1807

22 May 1815
(7 years, 348 days) |  |  | 23 December 1750
Dresden

* * *

Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Maria Antonia of Bavaria | (1) Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld,
1 daughter  | 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

[edit]

After 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 Poland. In 1846, Kraków was annexed by Austria 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

[edit]

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

This is a family tree of the Kings of Poland.

king of Poland
high duke
duke

| | | | | | | Chościsko| | | | | | | | | | | | |

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| | | | | | | Piast the Wheelwright| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Siemowit| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Lestek| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Siemomysł
died ca. 950–960| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Mieszko I
930–960–992| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Judith of Hungary
969–988| |
Bolesław I Chrobry
967–992–1025| | Emnilda of Lusatia
975–1017| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Bezprym
986–1031–1032| |
Mieszko II Lambert
990–1034
r. 1025–1031,1032–1034| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | |
Bolesław the Forgotten
r. 1034–1039| |
Casimir I the Restorer
1016–1038–1058| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Bolesław II the Generous
1041–1081
r. 1058–1079| | Przecława| |
Władysław I Herman
1044–1079–1102| | Judith of Bohemia
1058–1086| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | Mieszko Bolesławowic
1069–1089| |
Zbigniew
1073–1113
r. 1102–1107| | Zbyslava of Kiev
1090–1112| |
Bolesław III Wrymouth
1086–1102–1138| | Salomea of Berg
1101–1144| | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Władysław II the Exile
1105–1159
r. 1138–1146| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Bolesław I the Tall
1127–1201| |
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
1130–1210–1211| |
Mieszko III the Old
1126–1202
r. 1173–1177, 1191, 1198–1199, 1202| |
Bolesław IV the Curly
1125–1146–1173| |
Casimir II the Just
1138–1194
r. 1177–1191, 1191–1194| | | | | | Agnes of Poland
1137–>1182| | Mstislav II of Kiev
?–1172
r. 1167–1169, 1170

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Odon of Poznań
1149–1194| | | | | |
Henry I the Bearded
1165–1238
r. 1225, 1232–1238| | Casimir I of Opole
r. 1211 – 1230| |
Władysław III Spindleshanks
1161–1231
r. 1202–1206, 1227–1229| |
Leszek I the White
1186–1227
r. 1194–1198, 1199–1202, 1206–1210, 1211–1225, 1225–1227| |
Konrad I of Masovia
1187–1247
r. 1229–1232, 1241–1243| | Anastasia
(Maria)
of Poland| | Vsevolod IV of Kiev
r. 1203, 1206, 1207,
1208–1212| | Roman the Great
of Halych
1152–1205
r. 1189, 1198–1205

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Władysław Odonic
1190–1239| | | | | |
Henry II the Pious
1196–1238–1241| | | | | | | | | |
Bolesław V the Chaste
1226–1243–1279| | | | | | | | | | | | Michael of Chernigov r. 1223–1235, 1242–1246| | Daniel of Galicia
1201–1264
r. 1213–1264
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Bolesław the Pious 1224/27 – 1279| | Przemysł I of Greater Poland
1221–1257| | Elisabeth of Wrocław
1232–1265| |
Bolesław II Rogatka
1225–1278
r. 1241| | Henry III the White
1230–1266| | Constance of Wrocław
1227–1257| | Casimir I of Kuyavia
1211–1267| | Euphrosyne of Opole
1228–1292| | Rostislav of Macsó r. 1248–1262| | Leo I of Galicia
c. 1228 – c. 1301
1264–1301
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| | | | | | | | |
Przemysł II
1257–1290–1296| | | | | | | |
Henryk IV Probus
1258–1288–1290| | | | |
Leszek II the Black
1241–1279–1288| | | Ottokar II of Bohemia c. 1233 – 1253 – 1278| | | | | Kunigunda of Halych 1245 – 1261 – 1285| | | |
| | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Rudolf I of Bohemia
titular king
1281–1306–1307| | Elisabeth Richeza of Poland
1286–1335| |
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
1271–1296–1305| | Judith of Habsburg
1271–1297| | | | | | Hedwig of Kalisz
1266 – 1339| |
Władysław I the Elbow-high
1261–1306–1333| | | | Euphemia of Kuyavia
1265–1308| | | | Yuri I of Galicia
1252–1308
| | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | John of Bohemia
titular king
1296–1346
r. 1310–1335| | Elisabeth of Bohemia
1292–1330| |
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
1289–1305–1306| | Anne of Bohemia
1290–1313| | Henry of Bohemia
titular king
1265–1335
r. 1307–1310| |
Casimir III the Great
1310–1333–1370| | Elisabeth of Poland
1305–1380| | Charles I of Hungary
1286–1342| | Anastasia of Halych| | Alexander
prince of Tver
1301–1339|
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| | | | | | | | | | |
| John II of France
1319–1364| | Bonne of Luxembourg
1315–1349| | | | | | | | | | | | William, Count of Celje
1361–1392| | Anna of Poland
1366–1425| | | |
Louis I of Hungary
1342–1370–1382| | Elisabeth of Poland
1326–1361| | Uliana of Tver
1325–1391
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Charles V of France
1338–1380| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Anna of Cilli
1381–1416| |
Władysław II Jagiełło
1362–1386–1434| |
Jadwiga of Poland
1373–1384–1399| | Elizabeth of Pomerania
1347–1393

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Louis I, Duke of Orléans
1372–1407| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
1368–1437
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| John, Count of Angoulême
1399–1467| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sophia of Halshany
1405–1461| | | | | | | | | | | Elizabeth of Luxembourg
1409–1442
| |
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| | | | |
| Charles, Count of Angoulême
1459–1496| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Władysław III
1424–1434–1444| |
Casimir IV
1427–1447–1492| | | | | | Elizabeth of Austria
1436–1505
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Francis I of France
1494–1547| | | | | | | | | | Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary
1456–1516| |
John I Albert
1459–1492–1501| |
Alexander I
1461–1501–1506| |
Sigismund I the Old
1467–1506–1548| | | | | | | | | | Anna of Poland
1476–1503|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Henry II of France
1519–1559| | | | | | Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
1503–1564| | Anne of Bohemia and Hungary
1503–1547| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sophie of Pomerania
1498–1568|

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Henry III
1551–1589
r. 1574–1575| | Maximilian I
1527–1576
elected 1575| | Charles II, Archduke of Austria
1540–1590| | Elisabeth of Austria
1526–1545| |
Sigismund II Augustus
1520–1529–1572| | John III of Sweden
1537–1592| | Catherine Jagellon
1526–1583| |
Anna Jagiellon
1523–1596
r. 1575–1586| |
Stephen Báthory
1533–1575–1586| | Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp
1526–1586|
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Maximilian II
1558–1618
elected 1587| | Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1578–1637| | | | | | | | Constance of Austria
1558–1631| |
Sigismund III Vasa
1566–1587–1632| | | | | | | | | | | | John Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
1575–1616|

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Maria Anna of Austria
1610–1665)| | Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1608–1657| | Cecilia Renata of Austria
1611–1644| |
Władysław IV
1595–1632–1648| |
John II Casimir
1609–1672
r. 1648–1668| | | | | | | | | | | | Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
1597–1659|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | |
John III Sobieski
1629–1674–1696| | Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria
1636–1679| | Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1640–1705| | Eleanor of Austria
1653–1697| |
Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki
1640–1669–1673| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
1641–1695|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | Theresa Kunegunda Sobieska
1676–1730| | Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria
1662–1726| | Maria Antonia of Austria
1669–1692| | Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
1678–1711| |
Augustus II the Strong
1670–1733
r. 1697–1704, 1709–1733| |
Stanisław Leszczyński
1677–1766
r. 1704–1709, 1733–1734| | | | François Louis, Prince of Conti
1664–1709
elected 1697| | Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin
1673–1726| | Frederick IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
1671–1702
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
1697–1745| | Maria Amalia of Austria
1701–1756| | Maria Josepha of Austria
1699–1757| |
Augustus III
1696–1734–1763| | Marie Leszczyńska
1703–1768| | Louis XV of France
1710–1774| | | | Joanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp
1712–1760| | Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
1700–1739
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Maria Antonia of Bavaria
1724–1780| | Frederick Christian
elector of Saxony| | Francis Xavier of Saxony
1730–1806| | Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony
1731–1767| | Louis, Dauphin of France
1729–1765| |
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1732–1798
r. 1764–1795| | Catherine the Great
1729–1795–1796| | Peter III of Russia
1728–1762|
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Frederick August
duke of Warsaw| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Paul I of Russia
1754–1796–1801
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Maria Augusta of Saxony
1782–1863| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alexander I
1777–1801–1825| | Nicholas I
1796–1825–1855| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alexander II
1818–1858–1881| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alexander III
1845–1881–1894| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nicholas II
1868–1918
r. 1894–1917| | |

## Pretenders to the Polish throne

[edit]

Part of a series on the

History of Poland

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* Polonophile
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Prehistory and protohistory

* Stone Age
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Middle Ages

* Early Middle Ages
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| Piast period| 10th century-1385

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Jagiellonian period| 1385-1572

Early modern

| Early elective monarchy| 1572-1648

|

Deluge and decline| 1648-1764
Three partitions| 1764-1795

Modern

| Partitioned Poland| 1795-1918

|

World War I| 1914-1918
Second Republic| 1918-1939
World War II| 1939-1945
Communist Poland| 1945-1989

Contemporary

| Third Republic| 1989-present

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Timeline of Polish history
Bibliography of the history of Poland

* Poland portal
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* v
* t
* e

* Vratislaus II of Bohemia (1085–1092)
* Rudolf I of Bohemia (1306–1307)
* Henry of Bohemia (1307–1310)
* John of Bohemia (1310–1335)
* Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria (1916–1918)
* Kiril, Prince of Preslav (1916–1918)[10]

### Modern

[edit]

* Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (2012–), disputed[citation needed]
* Rüdiger, Margrave of Meissen (2012–2022), disputed
* Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (2022–), disputed.[11] Son of Rüdiger

### Not recognized royal elections

[edit]

See also: Royal elections in Poland

* Maxmilian II Habsburg (1575–1576), See: 1576 Free election
* Maxmilian III Habsburg (1587–1589), See: 1587 Free election
* François Louis de Bourbon (1697), See: 1697 Free election

## See also

[edit]

* Monarchism in Poland
* Coronations in Poland
* Dukes of Greater Poland
* Dukes of Masovia
* Dukes of Pomerania
* Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca
* Dukes of Silesia
* Kings of Poland family tree
* List of rulers of Partitioned Poland
* List of Galician rulers
* List of heads of state of Poland
* List of Poles
* List of Polish consorts
* List of prime ministers of Poland
* Princely Houses of Poland
* List of Lithuanian monarchs

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b Throne of Poland was hereditary until 1399; Jadwiga was the last hereditary monarch, see Borkowska, Urszula (2012). Dynastia Jagiellonów w Polsce. PWN. ISBN 9788301205331. pp. 79, 481. "Jadwiga Anjou was considered the last 'naturally-enthroned Lady' of Kingdom of Poland. In Jagiellonian times in the politics of Corona Regni Poloniae persona of monarch became separated from country they were ruling. Throne became elective, although choice of the next ruler was restricted to the members of the [Jagiellonian] dynasty, until it had heirs." "Jadwiga (...) became a wife of Jagiełło, who was crown the King (...), as co-ruler alongside Jadwiga, the last hereditary monarch of Poland."

## References

[edit]

1. ^ It was not allowed to use abbreviations and acronyms
2. ^ In the 17th century and later Poland was usually known as the Most Serene Republic of Poland (Polish: Najjaśniejsza Rzeczpospolita Polska, Latin: Serenissima Res Publica Poloniae).
3. ^ Henry Elliot Malden (4 July 2014). Salus Vienna Tua: The great siege of 1683. Soldiershop Publishing. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-88-96519-84-4.
4. ^ dated around 700 by Marcin Bielski
5. ^ Jasiński, Kazimierz (1992). Rodowód pierwszych Piastów. Wrocław-Warszawa. p. 46.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
6. ^ Janusz Roszko (1980). Kolebka Siemowita. Iskry. p. 170\. ISBN 978-83-207-0090-9. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
7. ^ Quaestiones Medii Aevi Novae. Wydawn. DiG. 2000.
8. ^ Polski Indeks Biograficzny. Walter de Gruyter. 18 May 2012. ISBN 9783110947977.
9. ^ Lukowski, Jerzy; Hubert Zawadzki (2006). A Concise History of Poland. Cambridge University Press. pp. 3–4. ISBN 978-0-521-61857-1.
10. ^ "How prince Kiril could become king of Poland (in bulgarian)". bulgarianhistory.org. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
11. ^ Pia Lucchesi (20 August 2017). "Prinz Daniel hat Prioritäten: Lieber Gemeinderat als König von Polen". TAG24. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Borkowska U., Dynastia Jagiellonów w Poslce, Warszawa 2012, ISBN 978-83-01-16692-2
* Duczmal M., Jagiellonowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1996.
* Dybkowska A., Żaryn J., Żaryn M., Polskie dzieje. Od czasów najdawniejszych po współczesność, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1995. ISBN 83-01-11870-9
* Gierowski J.A., Rzeczpospolita w dobie złotej wolności (1648–1763), Kraków 2001. ISBN 83-85719-56-3
* Grodziski S., Polska w czasach przełomu (1764–1815), Kraków 2001. ISBN 83-85719-45-8
* Grodziski S., Porównawcza historia ustrojów państwowych, Kraków 1998. ISBN 83-7052-840-6
* Grzybowski S., Dzieje Polski i Litwy (1506–1648), Kraków 2000. ISBN 83-85719-48-2
* Maciorowski, Mirosław; Maciejewska, Beata (2018). Władcy Polski. Historia na nowo opowiedziana (in Polish). Warszawa: Agora. ISBN 978-83-268-2720-4.
* Morby J.E., Dynastie świata. Przewodnik chronologiczny i genealogiczny, Kraków 1995, s. 261–263. ISBN 83-7006-263-6
* Wyrozumski J., Dzieje Polski piastowskiej (VIII w.-1370), Kraków 1999. ISBN 83-85719-38-5
* Zientara B., Henryk Brodaty i jego czasy, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1997.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kings and dukes of Poland.

* Górczyk, Wojciech. "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" (in Polish). Histmag.org. June 14, 2009.

* v
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Monarchs of Poland

Legendary|

* Lech I
* Krakus I
* Krakus II
* Lech II
* Wanda
* Leszko I
* Leszko II
* Leszko III
* Popiel I
* Popiel II
* Chościsko
* Piast the Wheelwright

Proto-historic (before 966)|

* Siemowit
* Lestek
* Siemomysł

Piast dynasty (966–1138)|

* Mieszko I
* Bolesław I the Brave
* Bezprym
* Mieszko II Lambert
* Bolesław the Forgotten
* Casimir I the Restorer
* Bolesław II the Bold
* Władysław I Herman
* Zbigniew
* Bolesław III Wrymouth

Fragmentation
period (1138–1320)|

Senior or Supreme Princes

* Władysław II the Exile
* Bolesław IV the Curly
* Mieszko III the Old
* Casimir II the Just
* Leszek the White
* Władysław III Spindleshanks
* Władysław Odonic
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* Bolesław the Horned
* Bolesław V the Chaste
* Leszek II the Black
* Henryk IV Probus
* Przemysł II

* See also: Dukes of Silesia
* Dukes of Greater Poland
* Dukes of Little Poland
* Dukes of Masovia
* Dukes of Kuyavia
* Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca
* Dukes of Gdańsk Pomerania
* Dukes of Pomerania

Přemyslid dynasty (1296–1306)|

* Wenceslaus II
* Wenceslaus III

Restored Piast dynasty (1320–1370)|

* Władysław I Łokietek
* Casimir III the Great

Capet-Anjou dynasty (1370-1399)|

* Louis I the Hungarian
* Jadwiga

Jagiellonian dynasty (1386–1572)|

* Władysław II Jagiełło
* Władysław III of Varna
* Casimir IV
* John I Albert
* Alexander I
* Sigismund I the Old
* Sigismund II Augustus

Elective monarchy (1572–1795)|

* Henry of Valois
* Anna Jagiellon
* Stephen Báthory
* Sigismund III Vasa
* Władysław IV Vasa
* John II Casimir Vasa
* Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki
* John III Sobieski
* Augustus II the Strong
* Stanisław I
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* Stanisław August Poniatowski

Duchy of Warsaw (1807–1815)|

Frederick Augustus I

Romanov dynasty (1815–1917)|

* Alexander II
* Nicholas I
* Alexander III
* Alexander IV
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Kingdom of Poland (1917–1918)|

* Regency Council (transformed into Second Polish Republic)

* Italics indicates monarch of questioned historicity

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