Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn

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Mieszko I (Czech: Měšek I., German: Mesko I.) (1252/1256 - before 27 August 1315) was a founder of Cieszyn Piast dynasty and the first Duke of Cieszyn. He was the oldest son of Władysław Opolski and his wife Eufemia.

He had three brothers and their father decided during the fragmentation of Poland to give him one quarter of the Duchy of Opole, the Duchy of Cieszyn. Mieszko ruled over Cieszyn, Oświęcim and Racibórz since 1281/1282 together with his brother Przemysław of Racibórz, and since 1290 - after fragmentation - became the only ruler of Cieszyn and Oświęcim.

He rejected to support any of Piasts aspiring to the Polish throne. Instead he allied on 17 January 1291 with Václav II, King of Bohemia. Mieszko eventually swore homage to him and supported Václav with his aspirations for the Polish throne. He took part in Václav's campaign against Władysław Łokietek in 1292 and took part in the battle of Siewierz. Mieszko was also present at the coronation of Václav II as King of Poland in Gniezno in 1300. After death of Václav II, Mieszko continued to support Bohemian rulers and supported Václav III, son of Václav II.

In internal politics he pursued vigorous policies. Mieszko carried intensive colonizing policies and founded many settlements. He also gave city rights to several towns: Cieszyn, Oświęcim, Zator, Bielsko, Skoczów and Frysztat.

After his death he divided the duchy into two sections: Cieszyn, which was ruled by Kazimierz and Oświęcim, ruled by Władysław.

[edit] References

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

Regnal titles
Preceded by -	Duke of Cieszyn 1290 – 1315	Succeeded by Kazimierz I