List of Polish monarchs

This article is about the historical monarchs of Poland, from the Middle Ages to 1795. For heads of state of republican Poland since 1919, see List of heads of state of Poland.

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).

Monarchy of Poland
Royal coat of arms
Stanislaus II Augustus
Details
Style	Royal Majesty (HRM)[1] Wasza Królewska Mość Serene Reigning Majesty Jaśnie Panujący Mości[2] Grace (HG) Wasza Miłość Highness (HH) Wasza Wysokość
First monarch	Mieszko I (as Duke) Bolesław I the Brave (as King)
Last monarch	Stanislaus II Augustus
Formation	c. 960 (Duchy of Poland)
Abolition	25 November 1795
Residence	Wawel Castle Warsaw Castle Wilanów Palace
Appointer	Hereditary Elective[3]
Pretender(s)	none Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (disputed) Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (disputed)

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.^[4] 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

Further information: Poland in the Early Middle Ages

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	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Lech		Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Legendary founder of the Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus I also Krak or Grakch c. 8th century		c. 8th century	Unknown	c. 8th century	Legendary founder of Kraków	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus II c. 8th century		c. 8th century Son of Krakus I	Unknown	c. 8th century	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Lech II c. 8th century		c. 8th century Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II	Unknown	c. 8th century	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Wanda also Wąda c. 8th century		c. 8th century Daughter of Krakus, sister of Krakus II and Lech II	Unknown	c. 8th century	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Duke Leszko I also Leszek c. 7th centuries – c. 8th centuries		c. 7th centuries – c. 8th centuries	Unknown	c. 7th centuries[5] – c. 8th centuries	Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned Elected	Goplans and Polans (Tribes)
Duke Leszko II c. 8th century		c. 8th centuries Presumed son of Leszko I, Alleged progenitor of the Popielids dynasty	Unknown	c. 8th centuries	Succession	Popielids
Duke Leszko III c. 8th century		c. 8th centuries Presumed son of Leszko II	Unknown	c. 8th centuries	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel I c. 8th century		c. 8th centuries Presumed son of Leszko III	Unknown	c. 8th centuries	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel II c. 9th century		c. 9th century Presumed son of Popiel I	(1) NN, A German Princess	c. 9th century	A legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century Succession	Popielids
Piast the Wheelwright c. 9th century		c. 9th century Son of Chościsko	(1) Rzepicha	c. 9th century	Legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century	Piast

Debatable rulers

Further information: Polans (western) and Greater Poland

The three direct predecessors of Mieszko I are known only from the account of Gallus Anonymus, who wrote the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum at the beginning of the 12th century. Though their historicity was once debatable, now historians tend to consider them actually existing rulers.^[6]

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House	Ref.
Duke Siemowit also Ziemowit 9th century		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	[7]
Duke Lestek also Leszek or Lestko 9th century – 10th century		c. 870–880 Presumed son of Siemowit	Unknown	c. 930–950	Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast	[8][9]
Duke Siemomysł also Ziemomysł Latin: Zemomislaus 10th century – c. 950/960		c. 900 Presumed son of Lestek	Unknown	c. 950–960	Named the Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast	[10]

House of Piast

See also: History of Poland during the Piast dynasty

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.

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Duke Mieszko I Latin: Misico, dux Wandalorum c. 960 – 25 May 992 (31–32 years)		c. 930 Son of semi-legendary Siemomysł	(1) Doubravka of Bohemia c. 965 1 child (2) Oda of Haldensleben c. 980 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 Polish: Bolesław I Chrobry (Wielki) 992–1025 (as duke) 18 April 1025–17 June 1025 (as king) (32–33 years)		c. 967 Poznań Son of Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia	(1) Hunilda, daughter of Rikdag (2) Judith of Hungary (3) Emnilda of Lusatia (4) Oda of Meissen	17 June 1025 Kraków Aged about 58	First crowned king Succession	Piast
King Mieszko II Lambert 25 December 1025–1031 (5–6 years)		c. 990 Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	(1) Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children	10/11 May 1034 Poznań Aged about 44	Crowned king Succession Deposed by Bezprym	Piast
Duke Bezprym 1031–1032 (0–1 years)		c. 986 Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Judith of Hungary	Unknown	c. 1032 Aged about 46	Usurped	Piast
Duke Otto 1032–1033 (0–1 years)		c. 1000 Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	Unknown	c. 1033 Aged about 33	Country divided, ruler of a Duchy	Piast
Duke Dytryk also Dietrich and Theoderick 1032–1033 (0–1 years)		c. 992 Son of Lambert Mieszkowic or Mieszko Mieszkowic	Unknown	c. 1033 Aged about 41	Country divided, ruler of a Duchy	Piast
Duke Mieszko II Lambert 1032–1034 (1–2 years)		c. 990 Son of Bolesław I the Brave and Emnilda of Lusatia	(1) Richeza of Lotharingia, 4 children	10/11 May 1034 Poznań Aged about 44	Country divided untill 1033 Restored as duke	Piast
King Bolesław the Forgotten Polish: Bolesław Zapomniany 1034–1038/1039 (4–5 years)		before 1016 Presumed son of Mieszko II Lambert	Unknown	1038/1039	Semi-legendary, existence disputed	Piast
Duke Casimir I the Restorer Polish: Kazimierz I Odnowiciel 1034/1040–1058 (17–18 years)		25 July 1016 Son of Mieszko II Lambert and Richeza of Lotharingia	(1) 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 Polish: Bolesław II Szczodry (Śmiały) 1058–1076 (as duke) 26 December 1076–1079 (as king) (20–21 years)		1042 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega	(1) 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 1079–4 June 1102 (22–23 years)		1044 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega	(1) Przecława (2) Judith of Bohemia (3) Judith of Swabia	24 June 1102 Płock Aged about 58	Succeeded brother after his exile	Piast
Duke Zbigniew 1102–1107 (4–5 years)		c. 1073 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 Polish: Bolesław III Krzywousty 1102–1138 (35–36 years)		20 August 1086 Płock Son of Władysław I Herman and Judith of Bohemia	(1) Zbyslava of Kiev (2) 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)

See also: Fragmentation of the realm and Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth

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 - Cracow. 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 assasination of Leszek the White, after which local dukes no longer respected suzereinity of high duke, whose title became only prestigeous.

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
High Duke Władysław II the Exile Polish: Władysław II Wygnaniec 1138–1146 (7–8 years)		1105 Kraków Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Zbyslava of Kiev	(1) Agnes of Babenberg, 5 children	30 May 1159 Altenburg Aged 54	Succession Deposed and exiled	Piast
High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly Polish: Bolesław IV Kędzierzawy 1146–1173 (26–27 years)		c. 1125 Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	(1) Viacheslava of Novgorod, 3 children	5 January 1173 Aged about 51	Succeeded exiled half-brother	Piast
High Duke Mieszko III Polish: Mieszko III Stary 1173–1177 (3–4 years)		c. 1127 Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	(1) Elisabeth of Hungary (2) Eudoxia of Kiev	13 March 1202 Kalisz Aged about 75	Succession Deposed by brother in 1177	Piast
High Duke Casimir II the Just Polish: Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy 1177–1191 (13–14 years)		c. 1138 Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	(1) Helen of Znojmo, 7 children	5 May 1194 Kraków Aged about 56	Usurped power from brother	Piast
Mieszko III 1191–1191		–	–	–	Usurped	Piast
Casimir II the Just 1191–1194		–	–	–	Restoration	Piast
High Duke Leszek I the White Polish: Leszek Biały 1194–1198 (3–4 years)		c. 1184/1185 Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo	(1) Grzymisława of Luck, 2 children	24 November 1227 Marcinkowo Górne Aged about 43	Succession	Piast
Mieszko III 1198–1199		–	–	–	Agreement with Leszek and his regents	Piast
Leszek I the White 1199–1199		–	–	–	Restored	Piast
Mieszko III 1199–1202		–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Władysław III Spindleshanks Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi 1202–1206 (3–4 years)		c. 1167 Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev	(1) Lucia of Rügen, 2 children	3 November 1231 Aged about 64	Invited to rule by voivode Mikołaj Gryfita	Piast
Leszek I the White 1206–1210		–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Mieszko IV Tanglefoot Polish: Mieszko IV Plątonogi 1210–1211 (0–1 years)		c. 1130 Son of Władysław II the Exile and Agnes of Babenberg	(1) Ludmila, 5 children	16 May 1211 Aged about 81	Usurped	Piast
Leszek I the White 1211–1227 (15–16 years)		–	–	–	Restored Murdered in 1227	Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks 1228–1231		–	–	–	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry I the Bearded Polish: Henryk I Brodaty 1231–1238 (6–7 years)		c. 1165/1188 Głogów Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?)	(1) Hedwig of Andechs, 7 children	19 March 1238 Krosno Odrzańskie Aged about 73	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry II the Pious Polish: Henryk II Pobożny 1238–1241 (2–3 years)		c. 1196 Głogów Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Andechs	(1) 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 Polish: Bolesław II Rogatka 1241–1241		c. 1220/1225 Głogów Son of Henry II the Pious and Anne of Bohemia	(1) Hedwig of Anhalt, 7 children (2) Euphemia of Pomerania (3) Sophia of Dyhrn	26 December 1278 Legnica	Succession Deposed	Piast
High Duke Konrad I of Masovia 1241–1243 (1–2 years)		c. 1187/1188 Son of Casimir II the Just and Helen of Znojmo	(1) Agafia of Rus, 10 children	31 August 1247 Aged about 60	Usurped	Piast
High Duke Bolesław V the Chaste Polish: Bolesław V Wstydliwy 1243–1279 (35–36 years)		21 June 1226 Stary Korczyn Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck	(1) Kinga of Poland, no children	7 December 1279 Kraków Aged 52	Restored as rightful Duke	Piast
High Duke Leszek II the Black Polish: Leszek Czarny 1279–1288 (8–9 years)		c. 1241 Brześć Kujawski Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław	(1) Gryfina of Halych	30 September 1288 Kraków Aged about 47	Adopted by predecessor Succession	Piast
High Duke Henryk IV Probus English: Henry the Righteous Polish: Henryk IV Prawy 1288–1290 (8–9 years)		c. 1257/1258 Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia	(1) Constance of Opole (2) 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 succesfully 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 assasination in 1296 prolonged unification of Poland by 20 years.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Przemysł II English: Premislaus II 1290–1291 (as High Duke) 1295–1296 (as King) (1 year)			14 October 1257 Poznań Son of Przemysł I of Greater Poland and Elisabeth of Wrocław	(1) Ludgarda of Mecklenburg (2) Richeza of Sweden (3) Margaret of Brandenburg	8 February 1296 Rogoźno Aged 38	Named an heir in predecessors 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 Cracow, 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	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia Polish: Wacław II Czeski 1291–1300 (as High Duke) 1300–1305 (as King) (4–5 years)			27 September 1271 Prague Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia	(1) Judith of Habsburg (2) Elisabeth Richeza of Poland	21 June 1305 Prague Aged 33	Usurped Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300	Přemyslid
(Uncrowned) Wenceslaus III of Bohemia Polish: Wacław III Czeski 1305–1306 (1 year)			6 October 1289 Prague Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg	(1) Viola of Teschen	4 August 1306 Olomouc Aged 16	Succession Uncrowned and assassinated	Přemyslid

House of Piast (restored)

See also: Reunited Kingdom of Poland

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. Assasination 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	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Ladislaus the Short Polish: Władysław I Łokietek 1306–1320 (as High Duke) 20 January 1320 – 2 March 1333 (as King) (26 years, 183 days)			c. 1260 Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Euphrosyne of Opole	(1) 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 Polish: Kazimierz III Wielki 25 April 1333 – 5 November 1370 (37 years, 195 days)			30 April 1310 Kowal Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz	(1) Aldona of Lithuania (2) Adelaide of Hesse (3) Christina Rokiczana (4) Hedwig of Sagan	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

See also: Louis I and Jadwiga of the Anjou dynasty (1370–1399)

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 seperated - 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	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Louis Polish: Ludwik Węgierski 17 November 1370 – 10 September 1382 (11 years, 298 days)			5 March 1326 Visegrád Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland	(1) Margaret of Bohemia (2) Elizabeth of Bosnia	10 September 1382 Nagyszombat (Trnava) Aged 56	Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III, to the Polish throne	Anjou
King Hedwig Polish: Jadwiga 16 October 1384 – 17 July 1399 (14 years, 275 days)			3 October 1373–18 February 1374 Buda Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia	(1) Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila)	17 July 1399 Kraków Aged 25	Succeeded her father in Poland Her husband was crowned jure uxoris on 4 March 1386	Anjou

House of Jagiellon

See also: History of Poland during the Jagiellonian dynasty

Female king Hedwig started her reign young and unmarried, which gave Poland huge oportunity. She eventually married pagan grand duke of Lithuania Jogaila, who adopted name Władysław after baptism. This event led to creation of 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 very often had to give priviledges to nobility in exchange for support of succession of their children.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Władysław II Jagiełło Lithuanian: Jogaila 4 March 1386 – 1 June 1434 (48 years, 90 days)			c. 1352/1362 Vilnius Son of Algirdas and Uliana of Tver	(1) Hedwig of Poland (Jadwiga) (2) Anna of Cilli (3) Elisabeth of Pilica (4) Sophia of Halshany	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 Polish: Władysław III Warneńczyk 25 July 1434 – 10 November 1444 (10 years, 109 days)			31 October 1424 Kraków Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany	Unmarried and childless	10 November 1444 Varna Aged 20	Succeeded his father in Poland Killed at the Battle of Varna Interregnum until 1447	Jagiellon
King Casimir IV Polish: Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk 25 June 1447 – 7 June 1492 (44 years, 349 days)			30 November 1427 Kraków Son of Jogaila and Sophia of Halshany	Elizabeth of Habsburg, 13 children	7 June 1492 Grodno Aged 64	Succession Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Divided the Polish-Lithuanian realm between John and Alexander	Jagiellon
King John I Albert Polish: Jan I Olbracht 23 September 1492 – 17 June 1501 (8 years, 268 days)			27 December 1459 Kraków Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	Unmarried and childless	17 June 1501 Toruń Aged 41	Succeeded his father in Poland Laid foundation for the Sejm and Senate (Polish Parliament)	Jagiellon
King Alexander Polish: Aleksander Jagiellończyk 12 December 1501 – 19 August 1506 (4 years, 251 days)			5 August 1461 Kraków Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	(1) Helena of Moscow, childless	19 August 1506 Vilnius Aged 45	Succeeded his brother in Poland Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Buried in Lithuania	Jagiellon
King Sigismund I the Old Polish: Zygmunt I Stary 8 December 1506 – 1 April 1548 (41 years, 116 days)			1 January 1467 Kozienice Son of Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Habsburg	(1) Barbara Zápolya (2) Bona Sforza of Milan	1 April 1548 Kraków Aged 81	Succeeded his brother in Poland and Lithuania	Jagiellon
King Sigismund II Augustus Polish: Zygmunt II August 18 December 1529 – 7 July 1572 (42 years, 203 days)			1 August 1520 Kraków Son of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza	(1) Elizabeth of Austria (2) Barbara Radziwiłł (3) Catherine of Austria	7 July 1572 Knyszyn Aged 51	Succession 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

See also: Rzeczpospolita, History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1648), History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1648–1764), and History of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1764–95)

In 1569 king Sigismund II Augustus, knowing that he has no heir united Poland and Lithuania into single entity - Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, to ensure that after his death both nations will remain under the same monarch. He also declared that after his death nobility will elect his successor, beging elective monarchy. He also ensure, that all nobile born will decide the next king, not only the richest and most powerfull ones. The first elective king - Henry of Valois have signed Henrician Articles, which guaranteed free election and nobilitys rule over the state. He, and every ruler after him, had to sign pacta conventa - document with policies, that king was promissing to implement. After death of every king interregnum was announced and primate of Poland became interrex - temporary head of state until new king was elected.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Henry Polish: Henryk Walezy 16 May 1573 – 12 May 1575 (1 year, 362 days)			19 September 1551 Fontainebleau Son of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici	(1) 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 Polish: Anna Jagiellonka 15 December 1575 – 19 August 1587 (de facto) (11 years, 248 days) – 9 September 1596 (de jure) (20 years, 270 days)			18 October 1523 Kraków Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza	(1) 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 Polish: Stefan Batory 1 May 1576 – 12 December 1586 (10 years, 226 days)			27 September 1533 Szilágysomlyó Son of Stephen Báthory of Somlyó and Catherine Telegdi	(1) Anna Jagiellon, no children	12 December 1586 Grodno Aged 53	Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon Prince of Transylvania	Báthory
King Sigismund III Polish: Zygmunt III Waza 19 August 1587 – 30 April 1632 (44 years, 256 days)			20 June 1566 Gripsholm Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon	(1) Anne of Austria (2) Constance of Austria	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 Polish: Władysław IV Waza 8 November 1632 – 20 May 1648 (15 years, 195 days)			9 June 1595 Łobzów Son of Sigismund III and Anne of Austria	(1) Cecilia Renata of Austria (2) 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 Polish: Jan II Kazimierz 20 November 1648 – 16 September 1668 (19 years, 302 days)			22 March 1609 Kraków Son of Sigismund III and Constance of Austria	(1) Marie Louise Gonzaga (2) 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 Polish: Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki 19 June 1669 – 10 November 1673 (4 years, 145 days)			31 May 1640 Biały Kamień Son of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska	(1) Eleonora Maria of Austria, no children	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 Polish: Jan III Sobieski 19 May 1674 – 17 June 1696 (22 years, 30 days)			17 August 1629 Olesko Son of Jakub Sobieski and Teofila Zofia	(1) Marie Casimire d'Arquien, 13 children	17 June 1696 Wilanów Aged 66	Elected Born into nobility A successful military commander	Sobieski
King Augustus II Polish: August II Mocny 15 September 1697 – 1706 (1st reign, 9 years)			12 May 1670 Dresden Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark	(1) 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 Polish: Stanisław I Leszczyński 12 July 1704 – 8 July 1709 (1st reign, 4 years, 362 days)			20 October 1677 Lwów Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska	(1) 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 Polish: August II Mocny 8 July 1709 – 1 February 1733 (2nd reign, 23 years, 209 days)			12 May 1670 Dresden Son of John George III and Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark	(1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife	1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62	Restored	Wettin
King Stanislaus I Polish: Stanisław I Leszczyński 12 September 1733 – 26 January 1736 (2nd reign, 2 years, 137 days)			20 October 1677 Lwów Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska	(1) 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 Polish: August III Sas 5 October 1733 – 5 October 1763 (30 years)			17 October 1696 Dresden Son of Augustus II the Strong and Christiane Eberhardine	(1) 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 Polish: Stanisław II August 7 September 1764 – 25 November 1795 (31 years, 80 days)			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

See also: Duchy of Warsaw

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	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Grand Duke Frederick Augustus I Polish: Fryderyk August I 9 June 1807 – 22 May 1815 (7 years, 348 days)			23 December 1750 Dresden Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Maria Antonia of Bavaria	(1) 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 1815-1918

After fall of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Polish lands were reorganised. Prussia annexed Greater Poland and created the Grand Duchy of Posen, Cracow became a free city and the rest of the former Duchy of Warsaw became part of the Russian Empire, as Congress Poland. In 1846, Cracow 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.

Family tree of the rulers of Poland

Part of this section is transcluded from Family tree of Polish monarchs. (edit | history)

This is a family tree of the Kings of Poland.

king of Poland
high duke
duke

Chościsko

Piast the Wheelwright

Siemowit

Lestek

Siemomysł died ca. 950–960

Mieszko I 930–960–992

Judith of Hungary 969–988

Bolesław I Chrobry 967–992–1025

Emnilda of Lusatia 975–1017

Bezprym 986–1031–1032

Mieszko II Lambert 990–1034 r. 1025–1031,1032–1034

Bolesław the Forgotten r. 1034–1039

Casimir I the Restorer 1016–1038–1058

Bolesław II the Generous 1041–1081 r. 1058–1079

Przecława

Władysław I Herman 1044–1079–1102

Judith of Bohemia 1058–1086

Mieszko Bolesławowic 1069–1089

Zbigniew 1073–1113 r. 1102–1107

Zbyslava of Kiev 1090–1112

Bolesław III Wrymouth 1086–1102–1138

Salomea of Berg 1101–1144

Władysław II the Exile 1105–1159 r. 1138–1146

Bolesław I the Tall 1127–1201

Mieszko IV Tanglefoot 1130–1210–1211

Mieszko III the Old 1126–1202 r. 1173–1177, 1191, 1198–1199, 1202

Bolesław IV the Curly 1125–1146–1173

Casimir II the Just 1138–1194 r. 1177–1191, 1191–1194

Agnes of Poland 1137–>1182

Mstislav II of Kiev ?–1172 r. 1167–1169, 1170

Odon of Poznań 1149–1194

Henry I the Bearded 1165–1238 r. 1225, 1232–1238

Casimir I of Opole r. 1211 – 1230

Władysław III Spindleshanks 1161–1231 r. 1202–1206, 1227–1229

Leszek I the White 1186–1227 r. 1194–1198, 1199–1202, 1206–1210, 1211–1225, 1225–1227

Konrad I of Masovia 1187–1247 r. 1229–1232, 1241–1243

Anastasia (Maria) of Poland

Vsevolod IV of Kiev r. 1203, 1206, 1207, 1208–1212

Roman the Great of Halych 1152–1205 r. 1189, 1198–1205

Władysław Odonic 1190–1239

Henry II the Pious 1196–1238–1241

Bolesław V the Chaste 1226–1243–1279

Michael of Chernigov r. 1223–1235, 1242–1246

Daniel of Galicia 1201–1264 r. 1213–1264

Bolesław the Pious 1224/27 – 1279

Przemysł I of Greater Poland 1221–1257

Elisabeth of Wrocław 1232–1265

Bolesław II Rogatka 1225–1278 r. 1241

Henry III the White 1230–1266

Constance of Wrocław 1227–1257

Casimir I of Kuyavia 1211–1267

Euphrosyne of Opole 1228–1292

Rostislav of Macsó r. 1248–1262

Leo I of Galicia c. 1228 – c. 1301 1264–1301

Przemysł II 1257–1290–1296

Henryk IV Probus 1258–1288–1290

Leszek II the Black 1241–1279–1288

Ottokar II of Bohemia c. 1233 – 1253 – 1278

Kunigunda of Halych 1245 – 1261 – 1285

Rudolf I of Bohemia titular king 1281–1306–1307

Elisabeth Richeza of Poland 1286–1335

Wenceslaus II of Bohemia 1271–1296–1305

Judith of Habsburg 1271–1297

Hedwig of Kalisz 1266 – 1339

Władysław I the Elbow-high 1261–1306–1333

Euphemia of Kuyavia 1265–1308

Yuri I of Galicia 1252–1308

John of Bohemia titular king 1296–1346 r. 1310–1335

Elisabeth of Bohemia 1292–1330

Wenceslaus III of Bohemia 1289–1305–1306

Anne of Bohemia 1290–1313

Henry of Bohemia titular king 1265–1335 r. 1307–1310

Casimir III the Great 1310–1333–1370

Elisabeth of Poland 1305–1380

Charles I of Hungary 1286–1342

Anastasia of Halych

Alexander prince of Tver 1301–1339

John II of France 1319–1364

Bonne of Luxembourg 1315–1349

William, Count of Celje 1361–1392

Anna of Poland 1366–1425

Louis I of Hungary 1342–1370–1382

Elisabeth of Poland 1326–1361

Uliana of Tver 1325–1391

Charles V of France 1338–1380

Anna of Cilli 1381–1416

Władysław II Jagiełło 1362–1386–1434

Jadwiga of Poland 1373–1384–1399

Elizabeth of Pomerania 1347–1393

Louis I, Duke of Orléans 1372–1407

Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor 1368–1437

John, Count of Angoulême 1399–1467

Sophia of Halshany 1405–1461

Elizabeth of Luxembourg 1409–1442

Charles, Count of Angoulême 1459–1496

Władysław III 1424–1434–1444

Casimir IV 1427–1447–1492

Elizabeth of Austria 1436–1505

Francis I of France 1494–1547

Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary 1456–1516

John I Albert 1459–1492–1501

Alexander I 1461–1501–1506

Sigismund I the Old 1467–1506–1548

Anna of Poland 1476–1503

Henry II of France 1519–1559

Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor 1503–1564

Anne of Bohemia and Hungary 1503–1547

Sophie of Pomerania 1498–1568

Henry III 1551–1589 r. 1574–1575

Maximilian I 1527–1576 elected 1575

Charles II, Archduke of Austria 1540–1590

Elisabeth of Austria 1526–1545

Sigismund II Augustus 1520–1548–1572

John III of Sweden 1537–1592

Catherine Jagellon 1526–1583

Anna Jagiellon 1523–1596 r. 1575–1586

Stephen Báthory 1533–1575–1586

Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp 1526–1586

Maximilian II 1558–1618 elected 1587

Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor 1578–1637

Constance of Austria 1558–1631

Sigismund III Vasa 1566–1587–1632

John Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp 1575–1616

Maria Anna of Austria 1610–1665)

Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor 1608–1657

Cecilia Renata of Austria 1611–1644

Władysław IV 1595–1632–1648

John II Casimir 1609–1672 r. 1648–1668

Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp 1597–1659

John III Sobieski 1629–1674–1696

Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria 1636–1679

Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor 1640–1705

Eleanor of Austria 1653–1697

Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki 1640–1669–1673

Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp 1641–1695

Theresa Kunegunda Sobieska 1676–1730

Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria 1662–1726

Maria Antonia of Austria 1669–1692

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor 1678–1711

Augustus II the Strong 1670–1733 r. 1697–1704, 1709–1733

Stanisław Leszczyński 1677–1766 r. 1704–1709, 1733–1734

François Louis, Prince of Conti 1664–1709 elected 1697

Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin 1673–1726

Frederick IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp 1671–1702

Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor 1697–1745

Maria Amalia of Austria 1701–1756

Maria Josepha of Austria 1699–1757

Augustus III 1696–1734–1763

Marie Leszczyńska 1703–1768

Louis XV of France 1710–1774

Joanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp 1712–1760

Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp 1700–1739

Maria Antonia of Bavaria 1724–1780

Frederick Christian elector of Saxony

Francis Xavier of Saxony 1730–1806

Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony 1731–1767

Louis, Dauphin of France 1729–1765

Stanisław August Poniatowski 1732–1798 r. 1764–1795

Catherine the Great 1729–1795–1796

Peter III of Russia 1728–1762

Frederick August duke of Warsaw

Paul I of Russia 1754–1796–1801

Maria Augusta of Saxony 1782–1863

Alexander I 1777–1801–1825

Nicholas I 1796–1825–1855

Alexander II 1818–1858–1881

Alexander III 1845–1881–1894

Nicholas II 1868–1918 r. 1894–1917

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)^[11]

Modern

• Alexander, Margrave of Meissen (2012–), disputed^{[citation needed]}
• Rüdiger, Margrave of Meissen (2012–2022), disputed
• Daniel, Margrave of Meissen (2022–), disputed.^[12] Son of Rüdiger

Not recognized royal elections

See also: Royal elections in Poland

• 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

• 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
• Poles
• List of Lithuanian monarchs