List of Polish monarchs

Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th to 18th centuries).

The first Polish ruler whose existence is not debatable was Duke Mieszko I, who adopted Christianity under the authority of Rome in the year 966. He was succeeded by his son, Bolesław I the Brave, who greatly expanded the boundaries of the Polish state and ruled as the first king in 1025. The following centuries gave rise to the mighty Piast dynasty, consisting of both kings such as Mieszko II Lambert, Przemysł II or Władysław I the Elbow-high and dukes like Bolesław III Wrymouth. The dynasty's rule over Poland ceased with the death of Casimir III the Great in 1370. In the same year, the Capetian House of Anjou became the ruling house with Louis I as king of both Poland and Hungary. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania, who in 1386 was baptized and crowned as Władysław II Jagiełło, thus creating the Jagiellonian dynasty and a personal union between Poland and Lithuania.

During the reign of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Sigismund I the Old, culture flourished and cities developed. This era of progress, also known as the Polish Renaissance, continued until the Union of Lublin under Sigismund II Augustus, which unofficially marked the end of the Polish Golden Age. After the death of the last Jagiellonian king, the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth became an elective monarchy with mostly foreigners elected as monarchs such as Henry III of France, who witnessed the introduction of the Golden Liberty system and Stephen Báthory, a capable military commander who strengthened the nation. The meaningful rule of the Vasa dynasty initially expanded the Commonwealth as the arts and crafts developed, as well as trade and commerce. King Sigismund III Vasa, a talented but somewhat despotic ruler, involved the country in many wars, which subsequently resulted in the successful capture of Moscow and the loss of Livonia to Sweden. His son, Władysław IV Vasa, fiercely defended the Commonwealth's borders and continued the policy of his father until his death, unlike John II Casimir whose tragic rule resulted in his abdication.

The election of John III Sobieski to the Polish throne proved to be beneficial for the Commonwealth. A brilliant military tactician, John III led the coalition forces to victory at Vienna in 1683 and he partially recaptured land from the Ottoman Empire. However, the years that followed were not as successful. The long and ineffective rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III) placed the Commonwealth under the influence of Saxony and the Russian Empire. Additional feuds with rebel nobility (szlachta) and most notably Stanislaus I Leszczyński and France diminished the influence of Poland–Lithuania in the region, which led to the partitions that occurred under King Stanislaus II Augustus, yet another enlightened, but ineffective monarch. The last true sovereign of Poland was Frederick Augustus I as Duke of Warsaw, who throughout his political career attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, many sovereigns claimed the title of Polish king, duke or ruler, notably German (the King of Prussia was also the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Posen 1815-1918), Russian (the Congress Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1815 with the widely unrecognized title of King of Poland to the Emperor of Russia until 1915) and Austrian emperors (the Emperor of Austria was sovereign of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria between 1772 and 1918, and the Grand Duchy of Kraków between 1846 and 1918). The new Kingdom of Poland was proclaimed as an independent state in 1916 with a Regency Council but the monarchy was abolished and a parliamentary republican authority was established when Poland was re-constituted as a sovereign state in 1918.

Legendary

Most of the legendary Polish rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century and their existence has not been determined.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Lech	Imaginary depiction of Lech in Chronica Polonorum	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Legendary founder of the Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus I also Krak or Grakch Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Krakus in Chronica Polonorum	Template:C.	Unknown	Template:C.	Legendary founder of Kraków	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus II Template:C.	File:Monarch-emp.png	Template:C. Son of Krakus I	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Lech II Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Lech II in Chronica Polonorum	Template:C. Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Wanda also Wąda Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Wanda in Chronica Polonorum	Template:C. Daughter of Krakus, sister of Krakus II and Lech II	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Duke Leszko I also Leszek Template:C. Template:Ndash Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Leszko I in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	Template:C. Template:Ndash Template:C.	Unknown	Template:C. Template:Ndash Template:C.	Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned Elected	Goplans and Polans (Tribes)
Duke Leszko II Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Leszko II in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	Template:C. Presumed son of Leszko I, Alleged progenitor of the Popielids dynasty	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Popielids
Duke Leszko III Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Leszko III in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	Template:C. Presumed son of Leszko II	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel I Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Popiel I in Chronica Polonorum	Template:C. Presumed son of Leszko III	Unknown	Template:C.	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel II Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Popiel II in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	Template:C. Presumed son of Popiel I	Template:Grey NN, A German Princess	Template:C.	A legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century Succession	Popielids
Piast the Wheelwright Template:C.	Imaginary depiction of Piast the Wheelwright by Walery Eljasz Radzikowski	Template:C. Son of Chościsko	Template:Grey Rzepicha	Template:C.	Legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century	Piast

Debatable rulers

The three direct predecessors of Mieszko I are known only from the account of Gallus Anonymus, who wrote the oldest Polish chronicle, at the beginning of the 12th century. Though their historicity was once debatable, now historians tend to consider them actually existing rulers.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House	Ref.
Duke Siemowit also Ziemowit 9th century	Imaginary depiction of Siemowit by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski	9th century Presumed son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha	Unknown	9th century	Named the Duke of the Polans after his father, Piast the Wheelwright, refused to take the place of legendary Duke Popiel Elected	Piast
Duke Lestek also Leszek or Lestko 9th century Template:Ndash 10th century	Imaginary depiction of Lestek by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski	Template:C.Template:Ndash880 Presumed son of Siemowit	Unknown	Template:C.Template:Ndash950	Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast
Duke Siemomysł also Ziemomysł Latin: Zemomislaus 10th century Template:Ndash Template:C./960	Imaginary depiction of Siemomysł by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski	Template:C. Presumed son of Lestek	Unknown	Template:C.Template:Ndash960	Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast

House of Piast

Mieszko I started his reign as leader of Polans tribe, while other parts of future Poland were settled by other tribes, such as Masovians, Vistulans, Lendians, Silesians or Pomeranians. During his reign Mieszko united polish lands and adopted Christianity connecting Poland with western Europe. His descendents ruled the state as natural lords and Poland was seen as their hereditary property. Because of that, the state was often divided between sons of deceased ruler and eventually united by one of them. Early polish rulers were not considered equal to western European kings, so their title is translated as a duke. Some of them managed to prepare a coronation and adopted title of king, but effects of those efforts were short lived.Template:Sticky header

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Duke Mieszko I Latin: Misico, dux Wandalorum Template:C. Template:Ndash 25 May 992 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Mieszko I (274939) (cropped).jpg	Template:C. Son of semi-legendary Siemomysł	Template:Grey Doubravka of Bohemia Template:C. 1 child Template:Grey Oda of Haldensleben Template:C. 3 or 4 children	25 May 992 Poznań Aged about 62	First Christian ruler of Poland Succession	Piast
King Bolesław I the Brave also Boleslaus I the Great Template:Langx 992Template:Ndash1025 (as duke) 18 April 1025Template:Ndash17 June 1025 (as king) (Template:Age in years years)	File:Bolek.jpg	Template:C. Poznań Son of Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia	Template:Grey Hunilda, daughter of Rikdag Template:Grey Judith of Hungary Template:Grey Emnilda of Lusatia Template:Grey Oda of Meissen	17 June 1025 Kraków Aged about 58	First crowned king Succession	Piast
King Mieszko II Lambert 25 December 1025Template:Ndash1031 (Template:Age in years years)	Mieszko II Lambert receiving a liturgical book from Matilda of Swabia	Template:C. Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	Template:Grey Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children	10/11 May 1034 Poznań Aged about 44	Crowned king Succession Deposed by Bezprym	Piast
Duke Bezprym 1031Template:Ndash1032 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Bezprym.jpeg	Template:C. Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Judith of Hungary	Unknown	Template:C. Aged about 46	Usurped	Piast
Duke Otto 1032Template:Ndash1033 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Monarch-emp.png	Template:C. Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	Unknown	Template:C. Aged about 33	Country divided, ruler of a Duchy	Piast
Duke Dytryk also Dietrich and Theoderick 1032Template:Ndash1033 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Monarch-emp.png	Template:C. Son of Lambert Mieszkowic or Mieszko Mieszkowic	Unknown	Template:C. Aged about 41	Country divided, ruler of a Duchy	Piast
Duke Mieszko II Lambert 1032Template:Ndash1034 (Template:Age in years years)	Mieszko II Lambert	Template:C. Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	Template:Grey Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children	10/11 May 1034 Poznań Aged about 44	Country divided until 1033 Restored as duke	Piast
King Bolesław the Forgotten Template:Langx 1034Template:Ndash1038/1039 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Monarch-emp.png	before 1016 Presumed son of Mieszko II Lambert	Unknown	1038/1039	Semi-legendary, existence disputed	Piast
Duke Casimir I the Restorer Template:Langx 1034/1040Template:Ndash1058 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Casimir I the Restorer.jpg	25 July 1016 Son of Mieszko II Lambert and Richeza of Lotharingia	Template:Grey Maria Dobroniega, 5 children	19 March 1058 Poznań Aged 41	Made prince in 1034, returned from abroad in 1040 Restoration	Piast
King Bolesław II the Generous Template:Langx 1058Template:Ndash1076 (as duke) 26 December 1076Template:Ndash1079 (as king) (Template:Age in years years)	File:Boleslaus II of Poland (89920250).jpg	1042 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega	Template:Grey Wyszesława, 1 son	2/3 April 1081 Hungary or Ossiach Aged about 39	Crowned king in 1076 Deposed and exiled in 1079 after slaying Saint Stanislaus	Piast
Duke Władysław I Herman 1079Template:Ndash4 June 1102 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Władysław I Herman by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	1044 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega	Template:Grey Przecława Template:Grey Judith of Bohemia Template:Grey Judith of Swabia	24 June 1102 Płock Aged about 58	Succeeded brother after his exile	Piast
Duke Zbigniew 1102Template:Ndash1107 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Zbigniew (112832610).jpg	Template:C. Son of Władysław I Herman and Przecława (?)	Unknown	8 July 1113 Aged about 40	Country divided, ruler of a Duchy Succession	Piast
Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth also Boleslaus III Template:Langx 1102Template:Ndash1138 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Boleslaw Krzywousty (275002).jpg	20 August 1086 Płock Son of Władysław I Herman and Judith of Bohemia	Template:Grey Zbyslava of Kiev Template:Grey Salomea of Berg	28 October 1138 Sochaczew Aged 52	Country divided until 1107 Succession His death led to the fragmentation of Poland	Piast

Fragmentation of Poland (1138–1320)

After period of fights between brothers and unstable inheritance Bolesław III Wrymouth decided to formalize succession. According to his testament the state was divided into provinces - one for every son and Senioral Province with capital city – Kraków. The testament established two principles on which new order in Poland was based - principate and seniorate. According to principate one duke - princeps (also called in English high duke) had supreme authority over other dukes and ruled in senioral province. According to seniorate princeps should be the oldest member of the dynasty, not necessarily son of the predecessor. During time of feudal fragmentation, as this period is called, both principles were abolished. Seniorate was formally abolished in 1180 during assembly of dukes and bishops in Łęczyca, where Casimir II the Just was made hereditary high duke. Principate was de facto abolished in 1227 with assassination of Leszek the White, after which local dukes no longer respected suzereinity of high duke, whose title became only prestigious.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
High Duke Władysław II the Exile Template:Langx 1138Template:Ndash1146 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Władysław II Wygnaniec by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	1105 Kraków Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Zbyslava of Kiev	Template:Grey Agnes of Babenberg, 5 children	30 May 1159 Altenburg Aged 54	Succession Deposed and exiled	Piast
High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly Template:Langx 1146Template:Ndash1173 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Boleslaus IV of Poland (89920492).jpg	Template:C. Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	Template:Grey Viacheslava of Novgorod, 3 children	5 January 1173 Aged about 51	Succeeded exiled half-brother	Piast
High Duke Mieszko III Template:Langx 1173Template:Ndash1177 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	Template:C. Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	Template:Grey Elisabeth of Hungary Template:Grey Eudoxia of Kiev	13 March 1202 Kalisz Aged about 75	Succession Deposed by brother in 1177	Piast
High Duke Casimir II the Just Template:Langx 1177Template:Ndash1191 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg	Template:C. Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	Template:Grey Helen of Znojmo, 7 children	5 May 1194 Kraków Aged about 56	Usurped power from brother	Piast
Mieszko III 1191Template:Ndash1191	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Usurped	Piast
Casimir II the Just 1191Template:Ndash1194	File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg	–	–	–	Restoration	Piast
High Duke Leszek I the White Template:Langx 1194Template:Ndash1198 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	Template:C./1185 Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo	Template:Grey Grzymisława of Luck, 2 children	24 November 1227 Marcinkowo Górne Aged about 43	Succession	Piast
Mieszko III 1198Template:Ndash1199	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Agreement with Leszek and his regents	Piast
Leszek I the White 1199Template:Ndash1199	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
Mieszko III 1199Template:Ndash1202	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Władysław III Spindleshanks Template:Langx 1202Template:Ndash1206 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg	Template:C. Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev	Template:Grey Lucia of Rügen, 2 children	3 November 1231 Aged about 64	Invited to rule by voivode Mikołaj Gryfita	Piast
Leszek I the White 1206Template:Ndash1210	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Mieszko IV Tanglefoot Template:Langx 1210Template:Ndash1211 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Mieszko IV.JPG	Template:C. Son of Władysław II the Exile and Agnes of Babenberg	Template:Grey Ludmila, 5 children	16 May 1211 Aged about 81	Usurped	Piast
Leszek I the White 1211Template:Ndash1227 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored Murdered in 1227	Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks 1228Template:Ndash1231	File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry I the Bearded Template:Langx 1231Template:Ndash1238 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Henryk I Brodaty (76847868) (cropped).jpg	Template:C./1188 Głogów Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?)	Template:Grey Hedwig of Andechs, 7 children	19 March 1238 Krosno Odrzańskie Aged about 73	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry II the Pious Template:Langx 1238Template:Ndash1241 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Henryk II Pobożny (Hedwig Codex).jpg	Template:C. Głogów Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Andechs	Template:Grey Anne of Bohemia, 10 children	9 April 1241 Legnickie Pole Aged about 45	Succession Killed at the Battle of Legnica	Piast
High Duke Bolesław II the Horned Template:Langx 1241Template:Ndash1241	File:Monarch-emp.png	Template:C./1225 Głogów Son of Henry II the Pious and Anne of Bohemia	Template:Grey Hedwig of Anhalt, 7 children Template:Grey Euphemia of Pomerania Template:Grey Sophia of Dyhrn	26 December 1278 Legnica	Succession Deposed	Piast
High Duke Konrad I of Masovia 1241Template:Ndash1243 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Konrad I mazowiecki (275073).jpg	Template:C./1188 Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo	Template:Grey Agafia of Rus, 10 children	31 August 1247 Aged about 60	Usurped	Piast
High Duke Bolesław V the Chaste Template:Langx 1243Template:Ndash1279 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Boleslaw V Wstydliwy (76848244).jpg	21 June 1226 Stary Korczyn Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck	Template:Grey Kinga of Poland, no children	7 December 1279 Kraków Aged 52	Restored as rightful Duke	Piast
High Duke Leszek II the Black Template:Langx 1279Template:Ndash1288 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Leszek Czarny by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	Template:C. Brześć Kujawski Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław	Template:Grey Gryfina of Halych	30 September 1288 Kraków Aged about 47	Adopted by predecessor Succession	Piast
High Duke Henryk IV Probus English: Henry the Righteous Template:Langx 1288Template:Ndash1290 (Template:Age in years years)	File:Henry IV of Silesia (89921214).jpg	Template:C./1258 Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia	Template:Grey Constance of Opole Template:Grey Matilda of Brandenburg	23 June 1290 Wrocław Aged about 32	Usurped	Piast

Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

In XIII c. the idea of reunification of Poland under single ruler started to gain popularity. It was often connected with coronation and establishment of hereditary kingdom. First attempts were made by Henry II the Pious and Henry Probus but both of them died before they manage to achieve their goals. First duke, who became king in this period was Przemysł II. He ruled briefly as high duke but didn't manage to unite polish lands. He crowned himself when ruling in his hereditary province - Greater Poland and in province of Eastern Pomerania. His assassination in 1296 prolonged unification of Poland by 20 years.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Przemysł II English: Premislaus II 1290Template:Ndash1291 (as High Duke) 1295Template:Ndash1296 (as King) (1 year)	File:Przemysl II (76843358) (cropped).jpg	File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg	14 October 1257 Poznań Son of Przemysł I of Greater Poland and Elisabeth of Wrocław	Template:Grey Ludgarda of Mecklenburg Template:Grey Richeza of Sweden Template:Grey Margaret of Brandenburg	8 February 1296 Rogoźno Aged 38	Named an heir in predecessor's testament Crowned king in 1295 Granted Poland its coat of arms Assassinated	Piast

Přemyslid House

House of Přemyslid were natural lords of Bohemia and had many family connections with Piast dynasty. In 1291], Wenceslaus II of Bohemia exploited the weakness of internally divided Poland and conquered Kraków, basing his claim on loose family connection with one of the previous high dukes. He later legitimize his rule by marrying daughter of Przemysł II, which also gave him claims to Polish Kingdom.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia Template:Langx 1291Template:Ndash1300 (as High Duke) 1300Template:Ndash1305 (as King) (Template:Age in years years)	File:Vaclav2 trun.jpg	File:Insigne Cechicum.svg	27 September 1271 Prague Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia	Template:Grey Judith of Habsburg Template:Grey Elisabeth Richeza of Poland	21 June 1305 Prague Aged 33	Usurped Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300	Přemyslid
(Uncrowned) Wenceslaus III of Bohemia Template:Langx 1305Template:Ndash1306 (1 year)	File:Vaclav3 pecet.jpg	File:Insigne Cechicum.svg	6 October 1289 Prague Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg	Template:Grey Viola of Teschen	4 August 1306 Olomouc Aged 16	Succession Uncrowned and assassinated	Přemyslid

House of Piast (restored)

Near the end of the reign of Wenceslaus II his rule over Poland was undermined by remaining polish dukes - especially by Ladislaus the Short, who was exiled by Wenceslauss and had strong claim to inheritance of Przemysł II, and by Henry III of Głogów, who also was successor of Przemysł. Assassination of Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, which led to extinction of Přemyslid dynasty and succession crisis in Bohemia, left Poland for Wenceslaus opponents. His successors in Bohemia called themselves kings of Poland until Congress of Visegrád in 1335. Eventually Ladislaus the Short managed to unite two main provinces of Poland - Greater Poland and Lesser Poland and crowned himself king in 1320 ending the period of feudal fragmentation.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Ladislaus the Short Template:Langx 1306Template:Ndash1320 (as High Duke) 20 January 1320 Template:Ndash 2 March 1333 (as King) (Template:Age in years and days)	16th Century Portrait by Antoni Boys	File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg	Template:C. Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Euphrosyne of Opole	Template:Grey Jadwiga of Kalisz, 6 children	2 March 1333 Kraków Aged about 73	Rebellion against Přemyslid rule Reunited the Kingdom of Poland after fragmentation Crowned King in 1320	Piast
King Casimir III the Great Template:Langx 25 April 1333 Template:Ndash 5 November 1370 (Template:Age in years and days)	Sarcophagus effigy at Wawel Cathedral, Kraków	File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg	30 April 1310 Kowal Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz	Template:Grey Aldona of Lithuania, 2 children Template:Grey Adelaide of Hesse Template:Grey Christina Rokiczana Template:Grey Hedwig of Sagan, 3 children	5 November 1370 Kraków Aged 60	Succession Strengthened Poland's position in Europe Died without a male heir Last monarch from the Piast Dynasty	Piast

House of Anjou

Casimir III the Great died without male heir. According to previous agreements his successor became his nephew, king of Hungary Louis I, beginning Polish-Hungarian personal union. After Louis death his kingdoms were separated - his younger daughter, Hedwig became king of Poland after brief interregnum (she is called king because in Poland title "queen" is reserved only for kings wife, not for sole ruler) and older daughter, Mary became queen of Hungary.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Louis Template:Langx 17 November 1370 Template:Ndash 10 September 1382 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Louis I (Chronica Hungarorum).jpg	File:Coa Hungary Country History Lajos I (1370).svg	5 March 1326 Visegrád Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland	Template:Grey Margaret of Bohemia Template:Grey Elizabeth of Bosnia, 4 children	10 September 1382 Nagyszombat (Trnava) Aged 56	Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III, to the Polish throne	Anjou
King Hedwig Template:Langx 16 October 1384 Template:Ndash 17 July 1399 (Template:Age in years and days)	Portrait on seal	File:Coat of arms of Jadwiga of Poland.svg	3 October 1373Template:Ndash18 February 1374 Buda Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia	Template:Grey William, Duke of Austria (disputed), no children Template:Grey Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila), 1 child	17 July 1399 Kraków Aged 25	Succeeded her father in Poland. The last hereditary ruler of Poland.Template:Efn Her husband was crowned jure uxoris on 4 March 1386.	Anjou

House of Jagiellon

Female king Hedwig started her reign young and unmarried, which gave Poland a huge opportunity. She eventually married the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila, who adopted the name Władysław after baptism. This event led to the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian personal union. After Hedwigs death, Władysław remained king of Poland, but he and his successors were no longer considered natural lords of Poland and often had to give privileges to nobility in exchange for support of succession of their children.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Władysław II Jagiełło Template:Langx 4 March 1386 Template:Ndash 1 June 1434 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Jogaila (Władysław II).jpg	File:Władysław jagiełło.png	Template:C./1362 Vilnius Son of Algirdas and Uliana of Tver	Template:Grey Hedwig of Poland (Jadwiga), 1 child Template:Grey Anna of Cilli, 1 child Template:Grey Elisabeth of Pilica Template:Grey Sophia of Halshany, 3 children	1 June 1434 Gródek Aged 72–82	Born a pagan Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Crowned co-ruler with wife Hedwig Longest-reigning Polish monarch	Jagiellon
King Władysław III English: Ladislaus III of Varna Template:Langx 25 July 1434 Template:Ndash 10 November 1444 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Toruń - Władysław III.(2).jpg	File:Warneńczyk.png	31 October 1424 Kraków Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany	Unmarried and childless	10 November 1444 Varna Aged 20 (presumed)	Elected as his father's successor in Poland Presumed to be killed at the Battle of Varna Interregnum until 1447	Jagiellon
King Casimir IV Template:Langx 25 June 1447 Template:Ndash 7 June 1492 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Kazimier Jagajłavič. Казімер Ягайлавіч (1645).jpg	File:Kazimierz jagiellończyk.png	30 November 1427 Kraków Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany	Elizabeth of Habsburg, 13 children	7 June 1492 Grodno Aged 64	Election Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Divided the Polish–Lithuanian realm between John and Alexander	Jagiellon
King John I Albert Template:Langx 23 September 1492 Template:Ndash 17 June 1501 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.4 454a.jpg	File:Jan olbracht.png	27 December 1459 Kraków Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	Unmarried and childless	17 June 1501 Toruń Aged 41	Elected as his father's successor in Poland Laid foundation for the Sejm and Senate (Polish Parliament)	Jagiellon
King Alexander Template:Langx 12 December 1501 Template:Ndash 19 August 1506 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Goraj Miracle of Saint Simeon Stylites (detail).jpg	File:POL COA under the rule of Alexander Jagiellon.svg	5 August 1461 Kraków Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	Template:Grey Helena of Moscow	19 August 1506 Vilnius Aged 45	Succeeded his brother in Poland as elective monarch Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Buried in Lithuania	Jagiellon
King Sigismund I the Old Template:Langx 8 December 1506 Template:Ndash 1 April 1548 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Kulmbach Sigismund I the Old.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Sigismund I of Poland (Order of the Golden Fleece).svg	1 January 1467 Kozienice Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	Template:Grey Barbara Zápolya, 2 children Template:Grey Bona Sforza, 6 children	1 April 1548 Kraków Aged 81	Succeeded his brother in Lithuania, elected as his successor in Poland.	Jagiellon
King Sigismund II Augustus Template:Langx 18 December 1529 Template:Ndash 7 July 1572 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Cranach the Younger Sigismund II Augustus.jpg	File:Fictional heraldic coat of arms of Žygimantas Augustas (based on a design from a 16th century tapestry) with Lithuanian coat of arms Vytis, Polish Eagle and coats of arms of Volhynia, Smolensk, Kyiv voivodeships.png	1 August 1520 Kraków Son of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza	Template:Grey Elizabeth of Austria Template:Grey Barbara Radziwiłł Template:Grey Catherine of Austria	7 July 1572 Knyszyn Aged 51	Election vivente rege Formation of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth with an elective monarchy Last male member of the Jagiellonian Dynasty, died heirless	Jagiellon

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1569–1795

In 1569, king Sigismund II Augustus, knowing that he had no heir, united Poland and Lithuania into single entity—the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth—to ensure that after his death both nations will remain under the same monarch. He also declared that after his death, the nobility would elect his successor, beginning the elective monarchy not constricted to members of one dynasty, like during Jagiellons. He also ensured, that all nobles would decide the next king, not only the richest and most powerful ones. The first post-Jagiellonic elective king, Henry of Valois, signed the Henrician Articles, which guaranteed free elections and the rule of the nobility over the state. He, and every ruler after him, had to sign a 'pacta conventa'—a document of policies that the king promised to implement. After death of every king, an interregnum would be announced and the primate of Poland became an interrex; a temporary head of state, until a new king was elected.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Henry Template:Langx 16 May 1573 Template:Ndash 12 May 1575 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Henri III - portrait after Jean Decourt - Musée Condé.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Henry III of France.svg	19 September 1551 Fontainebleau Son of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici	Template:Grey Louise of Lorraine, no children	2 August 1589 Saint-Cloud Aged 37	Elected Left Poland in June 1574 to succeed his brother in France Interregnum until 1575	Valois
Queen Anna Template:Langx 15 December 1575 Template:Ndash 19 August 1587 (de facto) (Template:Age in years and days) Template:Ndash 9 September 1596 (de jure) (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Kober Anna Jagiellon as a widow.jpg	File:COA family pl Jagiellon.svg	18 October 1523 Kraków Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza	Template:Grey Stephen Báthory, no children	9 September 1596 Warsaw Aged 72	Elected co-monarch with Stephen Báthory Ruled only formally Sole ruler until Báthory's arrival and coronation in May 1576 Ruled after husband's death until her nephew was elected	Jagiellon
King Stephen Báthory Template:Langx 1 May 1576 Template:Ndash 12 December 1586 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Riehl Portrait of Stephen Bathory.jpg	File:Bathory coat of arms.svg	27 September 1533 Szilágysomlyó Son of Stephen Báthory of Somlyó and Catherine Telegdi	Template:Grey Anna Jagiellon, no children	12 December 1586 Grodno Aged 53	Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon Prince of Transylvania	Báthory
King Sigismund III Template:Langx 19 August 1587 Template:Ndash 30 April 1632 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Soutman Sigismund III Vasa in coronation robes.jpg	File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg	20 June 1566 Gripsholm Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon	Template:Grey Anne of Austria, 5 children Template:Grey Constance of Austria, 7 children	30 April 1632 Warsaw Aged 65	Elected, nephew of Anna Jagiellon Transferred capital from Kraków to Warsaw Hereditary King of Sweden until deposition in 1599	Vasa
King Władysław IV also Ladislaus IV Template:Langx 8 November 1632 Template:Ndash 20 May 1648 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Rubens Wladyslaw Vasa.jpg	File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg	9 June 1595 Łobzów Son of Sigismund III and Anne of Austria	Template:Grey Cecilia Renata of Austria, 3 children Template:Grey Marie Louise Gonzaga	20 May 1648 Merkinė Aged 52	Elective succession Also titular King of Sweden and elected Tsar of Russia (1610–1613) when the Polish army captured Moscow	Vasa
King John II Casimir Template:Langx 20 November 1648 Template:Ndash 16 September 1668 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Schultz John II Casimir Vasa.jpg	File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg	22 March 1609 Kraków Son of Sigismund III and Constance of Austria	Template:Grey Marie Louise Gonzaga, 2 children Template:Grey Claudine Françoise Mignot (morganatic marriage)	16 December 1672 Nevers Aged 63	Elective succession, succeeded half-brother Previously a cardinal Titular King of Sweden Abdicated	Vasa
King Michael I Template:Langx 19 June 1669 Template:Ndash 10 November 1673 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:King Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Michal Korybut Wisniowiecki as king of Poland.svg	31 May 1640 Biały Kamień Son of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska	Template:Grey Eleonora Maria of Austria, 1 child	10 November 1673 Lwów Aged 33	Elected Born into nobility of mixed heritage, the son of a military commander and governor	Wiśniowiecki
King John III Sobieski Template:Langx 19 May 1674 Template:Ndash 17 June 1696 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Schultz John III Sobieski.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Jan Sobieski as king of Poland.svg	17 August 1629 Olesko Son of Jakub Sobieski and Teofila Zofia	Template:Grey Marie Casimire d'Arquien, 13 children	17 June 1696 Wilanów Aged 66	Elected Born into nobility A successful military commander	Sobieski
King Augustus II Template:Langx 15 September 1697 Template:Ndash 1706 (1st reign, 9 years)	File:August II the Strong.PNG	File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg	12 May 1670 Dresden Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark	Template:Grey Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife	1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62	Elected Previously Elector and ruler of Saxony Dethroned by Stanislaus I in 1706 during the Great Northern War	Wettin
King Stanislaus I Template:Langx 12 July 1704 Template:Ndash 8 July 1709 (1st reign, Template:Age in years and days)	File:Mányoki Stanislaus Leszczyński.png	File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Leszczynski as king of Poland.svg	20 October 1677 Lwów Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska	Template:Grey Catherine Opalińska, 2 children	23 February 1766 Lunéville Aged 88	Usurped Nominated as ruler in 1704, crowned in 1705 and deposed predecessor in 1706 Exiled in 1709	Leszczyński
King Augustus II Template:Langx 8 July 1709 Template:Ndash 1 February 1733 (2nd reign, Template:Age in years and days)	File:August II (1670-1733).jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg	12 May 1670 Dresden Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark	Template:Grey Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife	1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62	Restored	Wettin
King Stanislaus I Template:Langx 12 September 1733 Template:Ndash 26 January 1736 (2nd reign, Template:Age in years and days)	File:Attribué à Jean Girardet - Portrait de Stanislas en costume d’apparat.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Leszczynski as king of Poland.svg	20 October 1677 Lwów Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska	Template:Grey Catherine Opalińska, 2 children, including Marie, Queen of France	23 February 1766 Lunéville Aged 88	Elected His election sparked the War of the Polish Succession Deposed by Augustus III in 1736	Leszczyński
King Augustus III Template:Langx 5 October 1733 Template:Ndash 5 October 1763 (30 years)	File:Louis de Silvestre - Portrait of Augustus III of Poland (after 1733) - Google Art Project.jpg	File:Coat of Arms of Wettin kings of Poland.svg	17 October 1696 Dresden Son of Augustus II the Strong and Christiane Eberhardine	Template:Grey Maria Josepha of Austria, 16 children, including Maria Josepha, Dauphine of France	5 October 1763 Dresden Aged 66	Usurped Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734 Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736	Wettin
King Stanislaus II Augustus Template:Langx 7 September 1764 Template:Ndash 25 November 1795 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Stanisław II August Poniatowski in coronation clothes.PNG	File:Coat of Arms of Stanislaus Augustus as king of Poland.svg	17 January 1732 Wołczyn Son of Stanisław Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska	Unmarried, had illegitimate children including with Empress Catherine II of Russia	1 February 1798 Saint Petersburg Aged 66	Elected Born into nobility Last King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, his reign ended in the Partitions of Poland	Poniatowski

Duchy of Warsaw, 1807–1815

After long period of instability and anarchy, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was divided among its neighbours—Russia, Prussia and Austria. During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw from the lands of the Prussian partition. Some parts of Austrian partition were later added to the Duchy. The Duchy had its own duke and government, but was fully dependent on France. After the fall of Napoleon, the duchy was divided between Russia and Prussia.

Name	Portrait Template:Yesno	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Grand Duke Frederick Augustus I Template:Langx 9 June 1807 Template:Ndash 22 May 1815 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Frederick Augustus I of Saxony by Marcello Bacciarelli (ca 1808-1809).png	File:Grand Coat of Arms of Duchy of Warsaw.svg	23 December 1750 Dresden Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Maria Antonia of Bavaria	Template:Grey Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld, 1 daughter	5 May 1827 Dresden Aged 76	Treaties of Tilsit Designated as a king of Poland by General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland, 1812.	Wettin

Poland from 1815 to 1918

After fall of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Polish lands were reorganised. Prussia annexed Greater Poland and created the Grand Duchy of Posen, Kraków became a free city and the rest of the former Duchy of Warsaw became part of the Russian Empire, as Congress Poland. In 1846, Kraków was annexed by Austria and in 1848, the Grand Duchy of Posen was dissolved. In 1867, after the failed January Uprising, the remaining autonomy of Congress Poland was abolished. During World War I, in German occupied Congress Poland, the Regency Kingdom was formed and lasted from 1917 to 1918. After Poland regained independence in 1918, a republican system with the president as head of state was established.

See the list of rulers of partitioned Poland.

Pretenders to the Polish throne

• Vratislaus II of Bohemia (1085–1092)
• Rudolf I of Bohemia (1306–1307)
• Henry of Bohemia (1307–1310)
• John of Bohemia (1310–1335)
• Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria (1916–1918)
• Kiril, Prince of Preslav (1916–1918)

Modern

• Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (2012–), disputed
• Rüdiger, Margrave of Meissen (2012–2022), disputed
• Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (2022–), disputed. Son of Rüdiger

Not recognized royal elections

• Maxmilian II Habsburg (1575–1576), See: 1576 Free election
• Maxmilian III Habsburg (1587–1589), See: 1587 Free election
• François Louis de Bourbon (1697), See: 1697 Free election

See also

• Monarchism in Poland
• Coronations in Poland
• Dukes of Greater Poland
• Dukes of Masovia
• Dukes of Pomerania
• Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca
• Dukes of Silesia
• Kings of Poland family tree
• List of rulers of Partitioned Poland
• List of Galician rulers
• List of heads of state of Poland
• List of Poles
• List of Polish consorts
• List of prime ministers of Poland
• Princely Houses of Poland
• List of Lithuanian monarchs

Bibliography

• Borkowska U., Dynastia Jagiellonów w Poslce, Warszawa 2012, Template:ISBN
• Duczmal M., Jagiellonowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1996.
• Dybkowska A., Żaryn J., Żaryn M., Polskie dzieje. Od czasów najdawniejszych po współczesność, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1995. Template:ISBN
• Gierowski J.A., Rzeczpospolita w dobie złotej wolności (1648–1763), Kraków 2001. Template:ISBN
• Grodziski S., Polska w czasach przełomu (1764–1815), Kraków 2001. Template:ISBN
• Grodziski S., Porównawcza historia ustrojów państwowych, Kraków 1998. Template:ISBN
• Grzybowski S., Dzieje Polski i Litwy (1506–1648), Kraków 2000. Template:ISBN
• Morby J.E., Dynastie świata. Przewodnik chronologiczny i genealogiczny, Kraków 1995, s. 261–263. Template:ISBN
• Wyrozumski J., Dzieje Polski piastowskiej (VIII w.-1370), Kraków 1999. Template:ISBN
• Zientara B., Henryk Brodaty i jego czasy, wyd. 2, Warszawa 1997.

External links

• Górczyk, Wojciech. "Półksiężyc, orzeł, lew i smok. Uwagi o godłach napieczętnych Piastów" Template:In lang. Histmag.org. June 14, 2009.