Casimir I, Duke of Teschen

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Kazimierz I (Czech: Kazimír I., German: Kasimir I.) (1280/1290 - 1358) was the second Duke of Cieszyn. He was the son of Mieszko I, founder of Cieszyn Piast dynasty. Name of his mother is unknown.

After death of his father around 1315 he gained the southwestern part of the duchy, centered around the town of Cieszyn. In 1321 Kazimierz married Eufemia, founding a tradition of relationships of Cieszyn Piast with Masovian Piasts. Eufemia gave birth to nine children in this relationship, five sons and four daughters.

Kazimierz initially had good relations with Władysław Łokietek, who became the King of Poland in 1320. But when in 1326 Lithuanian forces supporting Łokietek invaded Duchy of Oświęcim, Kazimierz broke up with Polish king. He then became a closer ally of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia and swore a homage to him on 8 February 1327 in Opava. On 23 February 1327 he received duchy as a hereditary possession, maintaining a large internal sovereignty.

Kazimierz wanted to maintain territorial unity of the duchy, so he picked only one of his sons to rule - Przemysław Noszak. For remaining sons he chose a career in clergy. Kazimierz also aspired for other possessions and in 1337 gained Siewierz Land from Dukes of Bytom.

It is presumed that it was Kazimierz, who rebuilt castle in Cieszyn and surrounded the town with walls. He also supported economic development of the duchy, mostly towns.

[edit] References

• Panic, Idzi (2002). Poczet Piastów i Piastówien cieszyńskich. Cieszyn: Urząd Miejski. ISBN 83-917095-4-X. 

Regnal titles
Preceded by Mieszko I	Duke of Cieszyn 1315 – 1358	Succeeded by Przemysław I Noszak