Mieszko I–ruler of Pagans, Duke of Chrisans Mieszko I–ruler of Pagans, Duke of Chrisans Lesson plan (Polish) Lesson plan (English) Bibliografia: Anonim zwany Gallem, Kronika polska, tłum. Roman Grodecki, M. Plezia, Wrocław 1982, s. 15–16. Kronika Thietmara, red. z poprawkami P. Wiszewskiego, tłum. M.Z. Jedlicki, Poznań 1953, s. 218–222. Słowiańszczyzna starożytna i wczesnośredniowieczna: antologia tekstów źródłowych, red. ze zmianami P. Wiszewskiego, tłum. G. Labuda, Poznań 1999, s. 159–161. Mieszko I–ruler of Pagans, Duke of Chrisans Introducon of Chrisanity on 965, a painng of Jan Matejko of 1889 from the cycle History of Civilizaon in Poland Source: Wikimedia Commons, domena publiczna. Link to the lesson You will learn who Mieszko I was and what his achievements were; how the Piast dynasty managed to create a strong country; what were the achievements of Mieszko I in foreign affairs; why the baptism was so important for a young country. Nagranie dostępne na portalu epodreczniki.pl Nagranie abstraktu Mieszko I is considered to be the first historical ruler of Poland. Unfortunately, we do not have much information about his predecessors and their country. It is widely accepted that the country of the Polans – the tribe from which Mieszko was, was one of many countries that functioned in this area in those times. It is hard to say whether the people of those countries cooperated with each other and if they had common goals. The only thing that is accepted as fact is that before 10th century on the territory of Poland there was no political community which would have a larger territory. This situation changed in the 10th century, when the country lead by the Piasts began to grow stronger and stronger. The Polans conquered Polish lands, taking over the entire Wielkopolska area around the middle of the 10th century. The success was achieved thanks to incredible leadership skills and the ruler having the support of a team of warriors. This can be attested by a relation of a Jewish merchant, Ibrahim ibn Yaqub, from the 2nd half of the 10th century. He had first news about a developing country lead by Duke Mieszko, who ruled over extensive lands. A turning point in the history of the land of Mieszko I was the alliance he formed in 965 with Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia of the Přemyslid dynasty. As a result, he married the daughter of the duke, Doubravka, who most probably influenced him to accept baptism in 966. The reason for this decision can be noticed in the interior policy – higher authority and position of the Duke, as well as foreign affairs – it made the ruler of Polan tribe an equal partner among Christian rulers. The baptism of the ruler, and also of the country ruled by Mieszko, entered the world of Latin culture. Thanks to the numerous endeavours of the ruler, it was possible to have relations with the Christian world and to create a missionary bishopric in Poznań, subjected directly to the Pope. The head of that bishopric was bishop Jordan. It was a great political success, as it allowed to retain independence from the German church hierarchy that laid claim to the authority over the Christianized Slavs and it was probably caused by the fact that the country was given to the Holy See as a St. Peter’s gift. The circumstances of that event are unclear. Accepting Christianity and alliances with Christian rulers allowed for a stronger expansion. Thanks to the support of the Emperor, he won against the Veleti who lived in the Pomerania region, then he won against the Margrave Odo I, Margrave of the Saxon Ostmark in Battle of Cedynia in 972. During that time, he had connections with German aristocracy, which resulted in his marriage to Oda of Haldensleben, a relative of the Emperor. He had numerous victories in the south of the country, after breaking the alliance with the dukes of Bohemia, he took control of Wrocław and took Silesia away from them. The ruler died in 992 and was probably buried in the Cathedral of Poznań. Exercise 1 Read a fragment of the Chronicle of the Gallus Anonymus regarding the legendary events from the childhood of Mieszko I. Pay aenon to the explanaon of the Chronicle writer of the meaning of the miracle the young Mieszko was the protagonist of. What was the significance of regaining the eyesight by the future Duke, according to the 12th century Chronicle writer? Remember that the Chronicle writer presented in this way the most important achievement of the ruler. Find the correct fragment in the text. Anonim zwany Gallem “ Kronika polska [...] So this Siemomysł begot a great and famous Mieszko, who [...] was blind for seven years aer birth. So when the seventh anniversary of his birth came, his father [...] gave a lavish and joyous feast; and during the repast, he sighed secretly in his heart of hearts over the boy's blindness [...]. And when others enjoyed themselves and clapped their hands according to custom, the joy reached the zenith at the news that the blind boy had regained his vision. [...] Siemomysł diligently quesoned the older and wiser of those present if the boy's blindness and restoraon of eyesight did not constute some miraculous sign. So they explained that the blindness meant that Poland before had acted as if blind but from now on-they prophesied it-was to be enlightened by Mieszko and elevated above neighboring naons. [...] Indeed Poland had been blind before, knowing neither the reverence of true God, nor any principles of faith, but through the miraculously enlightened Mieszko, it also became enlightened, because when he accepted the faith, the Polish naon was saved from death in paganism. Source: Anonim zwany Gallem, Kronika polska, tłum. Roman Grodecki, M. Plezia, Wrocław 1982, s. 15–16. Complete the following sentences by selecng the correct answer. The fact that Mieszko regained his sight was supposed to symbolize future events, that is: the baptism of Poland. the fact that Polish people noticed their true enemy. the improvement of Polish people’s health. Exercise 2 In the Chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg, wrien in 11th century, there is a descripon of the circumstances of Mieszko’s bapsm. Read the text and complete the following task. “ Kronika Thietmara [Mieszko] W czeskiej krainie pojął za żonę szlachetną siostrę Bolesława Starszego [...]. Nazywała się po słowiańsku Dobrawa [...]. Owa wyznawczyni Chrystusa, widząc swego małżonka pogrążonego w wielorakich błędach pogaństwa, zastanawiała się usilnie nad tym, w jaki sposób mogłaby go pozyskać dla swojej wiary. Starała się go zjednać na wszelkie sposoby [...]. Umyślnie postępowała przez jakiś czas źle, aby później móc długo działać dobrze. Kiedy mianowicie po zawarciu wspomnianego małżeństwa nadszedł okres wielkiego postu i Dobrawa starała się złożyć Bogu dobrowolną ofiarę przez wstrzymywanie się od jedzenia mięsa i umartwianie swego ciała, jej małżonek namawiał ją słodkimi obietnicami do złamania postanowienia. Ona zaś zgodziła się w tym celu, by z kolei móc tym łatwiej zyskać u niego posłuch w innych sprawach. [...] [Mieszko] pozbył się na ustawiczne namowy swej ukochanej małżonki jadu przyrodzonego pogaństwa, chrztem świętym zmywając plamę grzechu pierworodnego. I natychmiast w ślad za głową i swoim umiłowanym władcą poszły ułomne dotąd członki spośród ludu i w szatę godową przyodziane w poczet synów Chrystusowych zostały zaliczone. Ich pierwszy biskup Jordan ciężką miał z nimi pracę [...]. Source: Kronika Thietmara, red. z poprawkami P. Wiszewskiego, tłum. M.Z. Jedlicki, Poznań 1953, s. 218–222. Based on the above fragment of the chronicles, select the events connected with the bapsm of Mieszko I and his people and arrange them in chronological order in the table. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Mieszko is convinced to get bapzed by bishop Jordan., The subjects rebel against their Chrisan duke., Doubravka is pregnant with Mieszko the pagan. Order Event 1 2 3 4 5 Exercise 3 Read the descripon of the circumstances of Mieszko’s bapsm as presented by Gallus Anonymus. [Mieszko] w takich pogrążony był błędach pogaństwa, że według swego “ zwyczaju siedmiu żon zażywał. W końcu zażądał w małżeństwo jednej, bardzo dobrej chrześcijanki z Czech imieniem Dobrawa. Lecz ona odmówiła poślubienia go, jeśli nie zarzuci swego zdrożnego obyczaju i nie przyrzeknie zostać chrześcijaninem. Gdy zaś on się zgodził, że zarzuci pogańskie zwyczaje i przyjmie chrześcijańską wiarę, pani owa przybyła do Polski z wielką liczbą cennych rzeczy świeckich i duchowych, ale nie podzieliła z nim łoża, aż powoli i pilnie zaznajamiając się z chrześcijańskim obyczajem i prawami kościelnymi, wyrzekł się błędów pogaństwa i przeszedł na łono matki Kościoła. Arrange the stages which lead to the christening of Mieszko in the table in chronological order (from the first to the last). Mieszko wants to marry a Christian woman. Mieszko learns about Christianity and is baptized. Doubravka arrives in Mieszko’s land. Mieszko follows pagan traditions. Mieszko agrees to Doubravka’s condition - he must convert to Christianity. Mieszko and Doubravka get married. Compare this message with the previous ones by bishop Thietmar of Merseburg. What connects them? Complete the following sentences. Both messages of Thietmar of Merseburg and Gallus Anonymus are connected by... the conviction that Mieszko’s christening was a scam. the conviction that the christening was a political decision. the conviction that Mieszko’s decision to become a Christian was influenced by his wife, Doubravka. Exercise 4 Read the text and establish what were the main points of the border of Mieszko’s territory. Słowiańszczyzna