Mieszko de Cieszyn

Mieszko de Cieszyn (in Polish Mieszko Cieszyński ), called sometimes Mieszko Ier de Cieszyn ( Mieszko I Cieszyński ) or Mieszko III of Cieszyn ( Mieszko III Cieszyński ), from the Dynasty of the Piasts, was born in 1251 or 1252, and deceased towards 1315. He is the oldest son of Ladislas d' Opole and Euphémie of Large-Poland, the girl of Ladislas Odonic.

Starting from 1280/1281, it is Duc of Cieszyn, Oświęcim and Racibórz, in company of his/her brother Przemyslaw de Racibórz. In 1290, the two brothers share the territory and he becomes duke of Cieszyn and Oświęcim. Of 1291 with 1305, it is Vassal king de Bohême Venceslas II.

Duke of Cieszyn and Oświęcim

Mieszko appears for the first time in the history in 1258, when in company of his father, it gives his agreement for the foundation of a Abbaye Cistercien to Rudy Raciborskie. When his/her father dies towards 1281, although it is the elder one, it receives only more the small portion of the Duché of Opole (Cieszyn, Oświęcim and Racibórz) which it must control with his brother Przemyslaw. It is Bolko, the second wire of Ladislas, which obtains most of the duchy, with Opole. The last division goes back to 1290, when Mieszko and Przemyslaw divide their territory. Mieszko keeps Cieszyn and Oświęcim and carries the title of duke of Cieszyn and lord of Oświęcim.

Conflict relations with Henri IV the Juste

In 1285, Mieszko supports the bishop Wrocław Thomas II Zaremba, in the conflict which opposes it to Henri IV the Juste. It offers asylum with Racibórz to him. In reprisals, Henri drives out his first wife who is the sister of Mieszko. In 1287, it launches an attack against Racibórz and besieges the city, obliging the bishop to subject itself.

Interior policy

Mieszko Ier encourages the intensive colonization of its duchy. Many localities receive Droit S urban and Privilège S commercial, in particular Cieszyn, Oświęcim, Zator, Bielsko, Skoczów and Frysztat. Mieszko is generous with respect to the Église, while helping with the construction of buildings and by supporting the religious communities financially.

Vassal of Bohemia

Adversary of a Centralization of the to be able, forever constant Mieszko the successive applicants with the throne of Cracow (Henri IV the Juste, Przemysl II and Ladislas Ier the Brief), who were however of Piasts.

On the contrary, it caused the anger of Henri IV the Juste, then of Ladislas Ier the Brief, while becoming the Vassal of the sovereign of Bohemia Venceslas II. The January 17th 1291, with Olomouc, with its brothers Bolko Ier d' Opole, Przemyslaw de Racibórz and Casimir de Bytom, it concludes an agreement from alliance with the sovereign of Bohemia. Thereafter, it will become its vassal. Mieszko helps Venceslas to seize the throne of Cracow in 1292. It also takes part in the victory of Venceslas against Ladislas Ier the Brief.

Vassal devoted, Mieszko supports Venceslas to control the Poland. In 1300, in Gniezno, it takes part in the crowning of Venceslas as a king de Pologne. The two men become even closer in 1305, when the son of Venceslas II (Venceslas III) wife Viola, the girl of Mieszko. This marriage made of Mieszko one of the most important men of Poland, which if the circumstances are favorable for him, could one day claim with the crown of Poland.

When Venceslas II dies in 1305, the son-in-law of Mieszko becomes king de Pologne. The August 4th 1306, Venceslas III is assassinated with Olomouc, without heir, which ends the dynasty of the Premyslides and at the political career of Mieszko.

End of reign

Starting from 1306, the political activity of Mieszko is reduced, its sons (Ladislas d' Oświęcim and Casimir Ier de Cieszyn) taking an increasingly important place in the control of the businesses of the duchy. Always faithful to Bohemia, it offers the town of Kęty to the bishop of Cracow Jan Muskata which is opposed to the new duke of Cracow Ladislas Ier the Brief. In 1311, contrary to his/her brother Bolko, it does not support the mutiny against Ladislas Ier the Brief fomented by the middle-class German of Cracow and Sandomierz.

Death and descent

Mieszko Ier de Cieszyn is deceased towards 1315 and was buried in the church of the Dominicains of Cieszyn. It leaves two wire (Ladislas d' Oświęcim and Casimir Ier de Cieszyn) which divide its duchy and a girl.

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