The last few days have been a bit of a blur for me, as any good Englishman would do, I celebrated the Royal wedding with beer, good food and DIY.
But now, I live in a republic and I am happy to be in this republic, but Poland once had a monarchy and early this morning with the aid of Wikipedia and Norman Davies, I set about finding the three most Kick-ass Polish Monarchs.
1- Bolesław I Chrobry
Born in 967, Bolesław is the kind of guy you either rate or hate. Many people think he liked to fight a little too much and this overzealous battle nutter of a king caused nothing but serious fiscal problems for the Polish people. However, I disagree. Bolesław was the sort of king no one messed with, Bolesław wasn't afraid to fight both the Germans and the Russians at the same time. Bolesław even sent crack troops to help his nephew Canute in his conquest of England. Look at the map and appreciate the extent of his kick-ass abilities. As for his poor financial abilities, in 967 what else are you going to spend your money on? if not on battling and general war-mongery?
2 - Władysław I the elbow-high / the short arse
In 1138, the not so bright Polish king Bolesław III Wrymouth left Poland divided up into principalities. Władysław was born in 1260, inherited some land and through a little good fortune inherited some more and in 1304, decided to take upon the arduous task of re-uniting Poland. To do so he would need to fight a few Germans, please some nobles and twist the arm of the pope. However by 1320, Władysław had returned Poland to the point in left off in 1138 and left the basis and foundations for future Kings to build Poland into one of the greatest European empires.
3- Jan III Sobieski -
A few hundred years later and Poland, through the help of a union with Lituania had become one of the most powerful countries in Europe, but it desperately needed stability and Sobieski gave it just that. Sobieski rocks because he was a more than good military commander who beat the Turks black and blue in the 1683 Battle of Vienna. He was such an able military commander that he controlled not only Polish forces in the battles but also German and Austrian troops. He was so impressive, other European monarchs nicknamed him 'The saviour of western civilization' - what a nick name! - oh and Sobieski Vodka is named after him.
Of course, these are just my opinions but I do love reading about Polish kings and Polish history in general. For anybody who would like to know more about Polish history I'm sure any British Council libraries will have copies of Norman Davies' work about Poland - I specifically recommend 'Heart of Europe' because it's more easy going than the immense two tome 'God's Playground'
But now, I live in a republic and I am happy to be in this republic, but Poland once had a monarchy and early this morning with the aid of Wikipedia and Norman Davies, I set about finding the three most Kick-ass Polish Monarchs.
1- Bolesław I ChrobryBorn in 967, Bolesław is the kind of guy you either rate or hate. Many people think he liked to fight a little too much and this overzealous battle nutter of a king caused nothing but serious fiscal problems for the Polish people. However, I disagree. Bolesław was the sort of king no one messed with, Bolesław wasn't afraid to fight both the Germans and the Russians at the same time. Bolesław even sent crack troops to help his nephew Canute in his conquest of England. Look at the map and appreciate the extent of his kick-ass abilities. As for his poor financial abilities, in 967 what else are you going to spend your money on? if not on battling and general war-mongery?
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| Small man syndrome? |
2 - Władysław I the elbow-high / the short arse
In 1138, the not so bright Polish king Bolesław III Wrymouth left Poland divided up into principalities. Władysław was born in 1260, inherited some land and through a little good fortune inherited some more and in 1304, decided to take upon the arduous task of re-uniting Poland. To do so he would need to fight a few Germans, please some nobles and twist the arm of the pope. However by 1320, Władysław had returned Poland to the point in left off in 1138 and left the basis and foundations for future Kings to build Poland into one of the greatest European empires.
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| Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth 1686 |
A few hundred years later and Poland, through the help of a union with Lituania had become one of the most powerful countries in Europe, but it desperately needed stability and Sobieski gave it just that. Sobieski rocks because he was a more than good military commander who beat the Turks black and blue in the 1683 Battle of Vienna. He was such an able military commander that he controlled not only Polish forces in the battles but also German and Austrian troops. He was so impressive, other European monarchs nicknamed him 'The saviour of western civilization' - what a nick name! - oh and Sobieski Vodka is named after him.
Of course, these are just my opinions but I do love reading about Polish kings and Polish history in general. For anybody who would like to know more about Polish history I'm sure any British Council libraries will have copies of Norman Davies' work about Poland - I specifically recommend 'Heart of Europe' because it's more easy going than the immense two tome 'God's Playground'
No Mieszko?
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and informative read; thanks.
ReplyDeletesawasdee ka!!
ReplyDeleteI come to visit naka...
Good text, but I'd add Stefan Batory here. He also rocks, and for me is one of the two best elected kings of Poland (second is Sobieski) ^^. It's only a pity, that he died before he came with his campaign to conquer Russia. What it would be if he lived... I may only suspect. :) Besides of his army leading abilities he also cared about education in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth -statued first university in Lithuania (in Vilnius of course).
ReplyDeleteAnd again I say it's such a pity that he died after only ten years of ruling...
Greetings from east-northern Poland! ^^
I will read up on Stefan Batory, I don't really know much about him which is a pity because he definitely sounds kick ass!
ReplyDeleteGreetings and good luck with your blog too :)