A thousand years is almost twice as long as it has been since the first books in Europe came off Gutenberg's printing press. When Christopher Columbus sailed to America, the Kingdom of Poland was already almost 500 years old.
The beginnings of Polish statehood are inextricably linked to the father of Bolesław the Brave, Mieszko I, who accepted Christian baptism and brought Poland into the circle of Latin civilization. Mieszko's state was relatively strong and well-organized, but it was not fully sovereign and independent. The Piast prince paid tribute to the German emperor - the first of the secular European rulers. In the realities of that time, only a kingdom gained the rank of a political entity, which today we could call an independent state. For this reason, the royal coronation of Bolesław the Brave has such a significant and groundbreaking meaning.
Bolesław the Brave in the coronation crown of Polish kings – a painting by Marcello Bacciarelli painted around 1770. (Source: Wikipedia)
Why is it worth remembering today? Looking back at Poland's geopolitical situation, we can see that the challenges faced by the first Piasts were not at all that far from those we face today. Using modern terminology, Bolesław the Brave fought for most of his life for his monarchy to enter the premier league of European states. To do this, it was necessary to gain the consent of the Pope and the Emperor for a royal coronation, and this was only possible by multiplying the power and significance of the Piast state.
The path to the crown led through decades of struggles for Bolesław's position among the rulers of Central and Eastern Europe. An extremely important point on the journey of the Piast prince was the Congress of Gniezno in 1000. At that time, Poland was visited by Emperor Otto III, who wanted to win Bolesław over to the innovative project of a united Europe. Its equal parts were to be Gaul, Germania, Italy and Sclavenia (the kingdom of Slavs). Some call Otto's idea the first attempt to create the European Union. Wanting to put his plan into practice, in 1000 the emperor supported the royal aspirations of Bolesław the Brave and in a symbolic gesture placed his imperial diadem on his head. However, the prince's coronation did not take place until a quarter of a century later. Otto III died in 1002, and his successor was Henry II, who was hostile towards Bolesław, and, unlike his predecessor, did not want partnership relations with the Slavic countries. Instead, he wanted to subordinate them to the German center.
However, Bolesław the Brave did not submit to his more powerful rival. He entered into competition with Henry II, and the series of Polish-German wars ended in 1018 with the famous Peace of Bautzen. Goliath had to acknowledge David's superiority. In the times of Mieszko I, defeating Germany was a pipe dream. During the reign of Bolesław the Brave, it became a fact.
Until his death, Henry II refused to consent to the royal coronation of his rival. He died in 1024. At the same time, there was a change on the papal throne – Benedict VIII was replaced by John XIX. A new window of opportunity opened up for Bolesław, and the skillful ruler knew how to take advantage of it. On 18 or 23 April – around Easter – he was crowned the first king of Poland. The status of his monarchy increased significantly. Poland, both formally and in fact, was the leader of Central and Eastern Europe, with whom the German Empire had to reckon.
Coronation of the first king, Jan Matejko, 1889 (according to the historiography of the time, Bolesław the Brave was crowned by Otto III during the Congress of Gniezno). (Source: Wikipedia)
The memory of the coronation of Bolesław the Brave allows us to realize that Poland has been part of European civilization and an important point on the political map of the continent for over 1,000 years. In the 18th century, it lost independence for 123 years and regained it in 1918. However, the Polish tradition of independence is not one century old, but ten. It was initiated by Bolesław the Brave, and the Fathers of Independence, led by Piłsudski and Dmowski, were its continuators.
Bolesław Chrobry was also the first to nominate Poland for the role of leader of Central and Eastern Europe. In his era, politics was mainly conducted through conquest. Today, Poland, with the help of economic development, support of new technologies, efficient diplomacy, wise alliances and a strong, modern arsenal of deterrence that will help ensure its security, can refer to the legacy of its first king. Adversities can be overcome thanks to a good and consistently implemented strategy, rejection of complexes, courage in action and determination. We have 1000 years of experience in this area. It is time to start using it.
