750.

interual factions. At length, Premislaus, a private soldier, placed himself at the A. D. head of the troops, and was raised to the throne in consequence of the victories he obtained over the Hungarians and Moravians. Though indebted to war for his exaltation, he studiously cultivated the arts of peace, and endeavoured to render his people happy. In electing a successor, the Poles declared they would acknowledge him as their prince, who, starting on horseback from a determined spot, should first reach an appointed goal. A Polish lord, thinking to secure the throne to himself, caused iron-spikes to be clandestinly planted in the ground, reserving only a path for his own horse. The fraud, however, was discovered by a young peasant, who was chosen in his stead.

774.

He assumed the name of Lech III. go- A. D. verned with great wisdom, and rendered his subjects happy. In order to prevent the effects of pride, he caused his rustic habit to be carried before him in all public ceremonies. Nor was this an act of empty ostentation: he was prudent and temperate, the patron of merit, and the protector of the injured. He transmitted his virtues to his two immediate descendants; but his great-grandson, Popiel, was a weak and voluptuous prince, who, too complaisant to his wife, a cruel and calumnious woman, administered poison to his three uncles. From their dead bodies, lying exposed to the open air, issued a swarm of rats, which devoured Popiel, his wife and children; and in him ended, about the year 860, the first race of the dukes, or kings, of Poland.

VOL. XXII,

Hitherto

Hitherto the princes had possessed only the title of duke, which totally ceased under Popiel's successor Piastus. This man had been originally a wainright, and for his elevation to the supreme dignity was indebted to a miracle similar to that of the widow of Sarepta. Like her, he had received from two heavenly messengers an inexhaustible vessel of oil, which he liberally distributed in a season of general scarcity. The people, astonished at the miracle, conferred on him the crown. On the throne he proved himself the father of his subjects: he was the comforter of the widow, the guardian of the orphan, and the tutelar angel of the poor and the unfortunate. Though neither a statesman nor a warrior, his virtues supplied the place of talents. During his reign, several intestine commotions arose, all of which he appeased by mildness and clemency; and the nobility were afraid openly to revolt against a prince, who seemed to live for the sole benefit of his people. He associated with him in the government his son Ziemowit, who was a magnanimous, warlike, and temperate prince. The grand children also of Piastus inherited his virtues, and one of them, who died in 964, was called the "Eye of Christianity." His successor, Micezlaus, endeavoured to obtain from the court of Rome the title of king, which, however, he unsuccessfully solicited; but the pope conferred it on his son.

A. D.

Boleslaus, surnamed Chrobry, was a prince of great courage, and is chiefly 999. famous for his warlike atchievements. He conquered Bohemia and Moravia, and afterwards subjugated Pomerania, Saxony, Prussia, and Russia. It was now his care to enjoy with

his people the fruits of so many victories, and to render happy those whom he had rendered powerful. He, therefore, applied himself to the internal government of his dominions; but, the conquered princes again rising in arms, the aged and venerable sovereign was obliged to cover his hoary locks with a helmet. In his last expedition, he exhibited great clemency, and dismissed the prisoner without ransom, penetrated with esteem for his virtues.

A. D.

On the death of Boleslaus, the assembly of the nation unanimously elected his 1025. son, Micezlaus II. as successor to his crown and dominions. This prince, however, was scarcely established in the sovereignty, when a general revolt broke out in Russia, Bohemia, Prussia, Moravia, and Saxony, which Micezlaus suppressed. Having restored peace to his dominions, he indulged in debauchery, which terminated his existence; but his reign was not undistinguished by martial glory.

The states assembled to elect a succes

A. D.

sor to the throne, and having made choice 1034. of his son Casimir, yet in the years of adolescency, vested his mother Rixa with the power of administration, and declared her regent of the kingdom. She, however, soon dis played her arbitrary disposition; and the Poles, incensed at her conduct, took up arms, and expelled her the kingdom. She had previously sent before her into Germany the immense treasures which Boleslaus had amassed, and which procured her the protection of the emperor. Young Casimir also was compelled to fly; and the people fell into anarchy and confusion. The prince took refuge in France, and

02

became

became a monk in the abbey of Cluni. At length, the calamities under which the Poles laboured, induced them to recal Casimir, and reinstate him on the throne. The pope

.A. D. discharged the prince from his monastic 1040. vows; but he obliged entire Poland to establish the tax called Peter-pence, which was an annual tribute paid to the sovereign pontiff, and which was imposed on most of the nations of Europe. During the reign of this prince, the arts and sciences, which had been hitherto unknown, began to be cultivated. Casimir practised the pacific virtues, and died honoured and esteemed by his subjects, whom he had endeavoured to render happy.

- 1056.

He left three sons, of whom the eldest Boleslaus II. was immediately after the death of his father crowned king of Poland. He atA D. tacked Bohemia, defeated the Hungarians, and marched an army into Russia, of which he determined to atchieve the conquest. He advanced rapidly into the dutchy of Kiow, but was suddenly stopped by Kiow, at that time the strongest fortress in the north, and the richest city in the Russian dominions. This place he besieged, and after a long resistance, took it; but, instead of punishing the obstinacy of its inhabitants, he applauded their courage, and granted them favourable terms, on account of the valour they had displayed. Unfortunately, however, Boleslaus suffered himself to be subdued by the pleasures of luxury; and his army degenerated into a mob of effeminate debauchees.

The prince, as well as his soldiers, seemed to have forgotten his native country, and remained seven years in Kiow. This long absence occa

sioned great confusion in Poland; and the Polish women, irritated by the indifference of their husbands, and by their preference of the ladies of Kiow, resolved to take signal vengeance, and unanimously admitted their slaves to all the privileges of husbands. At the news of this resolution, the soldiers attributed their dishonour to the king, whom they accused as a weak and voluptuous prince. Almost the whole army, impatient of revenge, returned to Poland, and left their sovereign in Russia.

The women, however, had armed their servile paramours, and, actuated by despair, fought beside their gallants, sought out their husbands in the heat of the battle, and fancied they could obliterate their crime by plunging their swords into the breasts of those who attempted to avenge it. While the combatants were thus engaged, Boleslaus arrived with a numerous army of Russians, and indiscriminately assailed the women, their gallants, and the soldiers, who had deserted his standard. This sudden attack united the women, their husbands and slaves; several obstinate battles were fought; and Poland was inundated with the blood of her inhabitants.

To add to the calamities of this unfortunate country, the schisms, which had for some time rent the church of Rome, caused also a division in this kingdom. There arose, likewise, a contest for power and riches between the king and the clergy; and Gregory VII. who at that time occupied the papal throne, excommunicated the monarch, and released his subjects from their allegiance. In vain did Boleslaus oppose his authority: superstition clouded the minds of the people, 0 3 who