Figure 1.--This artistic view of the 'Christianization of Poland A.D. 966' was painted by Jan Matejko in 1889. Polish historians tend to dte the foundation of Poland as a nation to this event. Presumably it depicts the personal baptism of Duke Mieszko I, the first ruler of a recogniziable Polish state, along with much of his court. Apprently Duke Mieszkov stands by the Cross, wprd in hand, while his court is baptized. Of course artistic depitions like this painted more than a millennium after the event can hardly be taken as a historical document, but they do mark a majpr event in European history and do accurately display how the Polish people view the event.

The Christianization of Poland began with the personal baptism of Duke Mieszko I, the first ruler of a recogniziable Polish state along with much of his court. Courtiers of course wanted to maintain their relationship with the poweful Duke. This was a standard practice in the spread of Christianity. Convert the ruler and the people would follow. Duke Mieszko I was a Piast and the first Polish leader for which historical documents exist. He married Dabrowka of Bohemia and converted to Christianity (966). Polish historians widely see this as the birth of the Polish nation. The Duke's conversion took place (April 14, 966), but the location is not well establlished. Historians believe that the cities of Poznań and Gniezno are the most likely sites. Mieszko's new wife, Dobrawa, is believed to be the principal influence on Mieszko's decision to convert. There were also powerful political considerations. Christianity brought Poland into the orbit of Western Christian civilization and converted powerful enemies into allies. Poznań became an Episcopal see. Duke Mieszko then allied himself with the most powerful man in Europe, German Emperor Otto I. And he placed his lands under the protection of the pope. Thus Poland located in Eastern Eyrope thus became aligned with Western Catholic rather than Eastern Orthodox Christinity. The spread of Christianity among the Polish people took about a century to accomplish and even longer for paganism to disappar. Conversion was well adavanced within only a few decades, especially among the elite. Poland was soon recognized by he pope as one of the and the the Holy Roman emperor as a Christian kingdom. It took some time, however, to finally convert the common people. The final event in the Christianization was the Pagan Reaction (1030s).

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Created: 11:36 PM 6/20/2016
Last updated: 11:36 PM 6/20/2016