List of Polish monarchs

Monarchy of Poland
Royal coat of arms
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Final monarch of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Details
Style	Royal Majesty (HRM) Wasza Królewska Mość Serene Reigning Majesty Jaśnie Panujący Mości Grace (HG) Wasza Miłość Highness (HH) Wasza Wysokość
First monarch	Mieszko I (as Duke) Bolesław I the Brave (as King)
Last monarch	Stanisław August Poniatowski
Formation	c. 960 (Duchy of Poland)
Abolition	25 November 1795
Residence	Wawel Castle Warsaw Castle Wilanów Palace
Appointer	Hereditary (until 1399) Elective (1399–1795)

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, kings were elected by the nobility (14th to 18th centuries).

Duke Mieszko I 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 of Hungary as king of both Poland and Hungary. His daughter, Jadwiga, later married Jogaila, the pagan Grand Duke of Lithuania, who in 1386 was baptised and crowned as Władysław II Jagiełło. After Jadwiga had died in 1399 without surviving children, the Polish hereditary monarchy ended. Władysław remained on the throne as elected king. His descendants continued to be chosen as monarchs by noblemen, creating the Jagiellonian dynasty, and during this time, a personal union between Poland and Lithuania took place.

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 continued the policy of 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 Vasa dynasty, which descended from Jagiellons, initially expanded the Polish–Lithuanian 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, in the following years, the contested rule of the Wettin dynasty (Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III of Poland) 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 Stanisław August Poniatowski, yet another enlightened but ineffective monarch.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, ruled as Duke of Warsaw and attempted to rehabilitate the Polish state. After the Congress of Vienna, the territory of Poland was again divided by the Prussia (with the Prussian King as Grand Duke of Posen), Russia (Congress Poland was founded in 1815 with the Emperor of Russia as King of Poland) and Austria (with the Austrian Emperors as Kings of Galicia and Lodomeria). A 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	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
Lech I	Imaginary depiction of Lech in Chronica Polonorum	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Legendary founder of the Polish nation according to folktales, tribal leader	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus also Krak or Grakch – c. 8th century	Imaginary depiction of Krakus in Chronica Polonorum	c. 8th century	Unknown	c. 8th century	Legendary founder of Kraków	Lechites (Tribe)
Krakus II – c. 8th century	File:Monarch-emp.png	c. 8th century Son of Krakus	Unknown	c. 8th century	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Lech II – c. 8th century	Imaginary depiction of Lech II in Chronica Polonorum	c. 8th century Son of Krakus I, brother of Krakus II	Unknown	c. 8th century	Succession	Lechites (Tribe)
Wanda also Wąda – c. 8th century	Imaginary depiction of Wanda in Chronica Polonorum	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	Imaginary depiction of Leszko I in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	c. 7th centuries – c. 8th centuries	Unknown	c. 7th centuries – c. 8th centuries	Birth name Przemysław, defeated the Hungarians and was crowned Elected	Goplans and Polans (Tribes)
Duke Leszko II – c. 8th century	Imaginary depiction of Leszko II in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	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	Imaginary depiction of Leszko III in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	c. 8th centuries Presumed son of Leszko II	Unknown	c. 8th centuries	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel I – c. 8th century	Imaginary depiction of Popiel in Chronica Polonorum	c. 8th centuries Presumed son of Leszko III	Unknown	c. 8th centuries	Succession	Popielids
Duke Popiel II – c. 9th century	Imaginary depiction of Popiel in Sarmatiae Europeae descriptio by Alexander Guagnini	c. 9th century	(1) NN, A German Princess	c. 9th century	A legendary ruler was dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century Succession	Popielids
Piast the Wheelwright – c. 9th century	Imaginary depiction of Piast the Wheelwright by Walery Eljasz Radzikowski	c. 9th century Son of Chościsko	(1) Rzepicha 1 child	c. 9th century	Legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, from the early 12th century	Piast

House of Piast

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 as actually existing rulers.

Name	Portrait	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 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 – 10th century	Imaginary depiction of Lestek by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski	c. 870 – 880 Presumed son of Siemowit	Unknown	c. 930 – 950	Named Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast
Duke Siemomysł also Ziemomysł Latin: Zemomislaus 10th century – c. 950/960	Imaginary depiction of Siemomysł by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski	c. 900 Presumed son of Lestek	Unknown	c. 950 – 960	Named Duke of the Polans after succeeding his father Succession	Piast

Mieszko I started his reign as leader of the Polans, 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 descendants ruled the state as natural lords and Poland was seen as their hereditary property. Because of that, the state was often divided between the sons of the 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 the title of king, but the 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)	File:Mieszko I (274939) (cropped).jpg	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 Template:Langx 992 – 1025 (as duke) 18 April 1025 – 17 June 1025 (as king) (32–33 years)	File:Bolek.jpg	c. 967 Poznań Son of Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia	(1) Hunilda, daughter of Rikdag (2) Judith of Hungary 1 child (3) Emnilda of Lusatia 5 children (4) Oda of Meissen 1 child	17 June 1025 Kraków Aged about 58	First crowned king Succession	Piast
King Mieszko II Lambert 25 December 1025 – 1031 (5–6 years)	Mieszko II Lambert receiving a liturgical book from Matilda of Swabia	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)	File:Bezprym.jpeg	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)	File:Monarch-emp.png	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)	File:Monarch-emp.png	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)	Mieszko II Lambert	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 until 1033 Restored as duke	Piast
King Bolesław the Forgotten Template:Langx 1034 – 1038/1039 (4–5 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 1034/1040 – 1058 (17–18 years)	File:Casimir I the Restorer.jpg	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 Template:Langx 1058 – 1076 (as duke) 26 December 1076 – 1079 (as king) (20–21 years)	File:Boleslaus II of Poland (89920250).jpg	1042 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev	(1) Wyszesława of Kiev 1 child	2/3 April 1081 Hungary or Ossiach Aged about 39	Crowned king in 1076 Deposed and exiled in 1079 after slaying Stanislaus of Szczepanów	Piast
Duke Władysław I Herman 1079 – 4 June 1102 (22–23 years)	File:Władysław I Herman by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	1044 Son of Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev	(1) Unknown 1 child (2) Judith of Bohemia 1 child (3) Judith of Swabia 3 children	24 June 1102 Płock Aged about 58	Succeeded brother after his exile	Piast
Duke Zbigniew (duke of Poland) 1102 – 1107 (4–5 years)	File:Zbigniew (112832610).jpg	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 Template:Langx 1102 – 1138 (35–36 years)	File:Boleslaw Krzywousty (275002).jpg	20 August 1086 Płock Son of Władysław I Herman and Judith of Bohemia	(1) Zbyslava of Kiev 1 child (2) Salomea of Berg 12 children	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 a 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 a Senioral Province with the capital city Kraków. The testament established two principles on which the new order in Poland was based: principate and seniorate. One duke, the princeps (also called in English high duke), had supreme authority over other dukes and ruled the senioral province. This princeps should be the oldest member of the dynasty, not necessarily the son of the predecessor. During the time of fragmentation, both principles were abolished. Seniorate was formally abolished in 1180 during the assembly of dukes and bishops in Łęczyca, when Casimir II the Just was made hereditary high duke. The Principate was de facto ended in 1227 with the assassination of Leszek I the White, after which local dukes no longer respected suzerainty of the high duke.

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
High Duke Władysław II the Exile Template:Langx 1138 – 1146 (7–8 years)	File:Władysław II Wygnaniec by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	1105 Kraków Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Zbyslava of Kiev	(1) Agnes of Babenberg 5 children	30 May 1159 Altenburg Aged 54	Duke of Silesia Succession Deposed and exiled	Piast
High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly Template:Langx 1146 – 1173 (26–27 years)	File:Boleslaus IV of Poland (89920492).jpg	c. 1125 Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	(1) Viacheslava of Novgorod 3 children	5 January 1173 Aged about 51	Duke of Masovia 1138 Succeeded, exiled half-brother	Piast
High Duke Mieszko III of Poland Template:Langx 1173 – 1177 (3–4 years)	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	c. 1127 Son of Bolesław III Wrymouth and Salomea of Berg	(1) Elizabeth of Hungary, Duchess of Greater Poland (2) Eudoxia of Kiev	13 March 1202 Kalisz Aged about 75	Duke of Greater Poland 1138 Succession Deposed by his brother in 1177	Piast
High Duke Casimir II the Just Template:Langx 1177 – 1191 (13–14 years)	File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg	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	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Usurped	Piast
Casimir II the Just 1191 – 1194	File:Casimir II of Poland (89920659).jpg	–	–	–	Restoration	Piast
High Duke Leszek I the White Template:Langx 1194 – 1198 (3–4 years)	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	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	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Agreement with Leszek and his regents	Piast
Leszek I the White 1199 – 1199	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
Mieszko III 1199 – 1202	File:Mieszko III Stary (76852586) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Władysław III Spindleshanks Template:Langx 1202 – 1206 (3–4 years)	File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg	c. 1167 Son of Mieszko III of Poland 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	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored	Piast
High Duke Mieszko IV Tanglefoot Template:Langx 1210 – 1211 (0–1 years)	File:Mieszko IV.JPG	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)	File:Leszek Bialy (76844388) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Restored Murdered in 1227	Piast
Władysław III Spindleshanks 1228 – 1231	File:Wladyslaw III Laskonogi (76853776) (cropped).jpg	–	–	–	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry the Bearded Template:Langx 1231 – 1238 (6–7 years)	File:Henryk I Brodaty (76847868) (cropped).jpg	c. 1165/1188 Głogów Son of Bolesław I the Tall and Christina (?)	(1) Hedwig of Silesia 7 children	19 March 1238 Krosno Odrzańskie Aged about 73	Succession agreement with predecessor	Piast
High Duke Henry II the Pious Template:Langx 1238 – 1241 (2–3 years)	File:Henryk II Pobożny (Hedwig Codex).jpg	c. 1196 Głogów Son of Henry the Bearded and Hedwig of Silesia	(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 Template:Langx 1241 – 1241	File:Monarch-emp.png	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)	File:Konrad I mazowiecki (275073).jpg	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 Template:Langx 1243 – 1279 (35–36 years)	File:Boleslaw V Wstydliwy (76848244).jpg	21 June 1226 Stary Korczyn Son of Leszek I the White and Grzymisława of Luck	(1) Kinga of Poland	7 December 1279 Kraków Aged 52	Restored as the rightful Duke	Piast
High Duke Leszek II the Black Template:Langx 1279 – 1288 (8–9 years)	File:Leszek Czarny by Aleksander Lesser.PNG	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 Henry Probus English: Henry the Righteous Template:Langx 1288 – 1290 (8–9 years)	File:Henry IV of Silesia (89921214).jpg	c. 1257/1258 Son of Henry III the White and Judith of Masovia	(1) Constance, Duchess of Wodzisław (2) Matilda of Brandenburg	23 June 1290 Wrocław Aged about 32	Usurped	Piast

Attempt at restoration (1295–1296)

In the 13th century, the idea of the reunification of Poland under a single ruler started to gain popularity. It was often connected with the coronation and establishment of the hereditary kingdom. First attempts were made by Henry II the Pious and Henry Probus, but both of them died before they managed to achieve their goals. The first duke, who became king in this period, was Przemysł II. He ruled briefly as high duke but didn't manage to unite all Polish lands. He crowned himself when ruling in his hereditary province, Greater Poland, and in the province of Eastern Pomerania. His assassination in 1296 delayed the 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)	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	(1) Ludgarda of Mecklenburg (2) Richeza of Sweden 1 child (3) 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

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

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia Template:Langx 1291 – 1300 (as High Duke) 1300 – 1305 (as King) (4–5 years)	File:Vaclav2 trun.jpg	File:Insigne Cechicum.svg	27 September 1271 Prague Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Halych	(1) Judith of Habsburg 10 children (2) Elisabeth Richeza of Poland 1 child	21 June 1305 Prague Aged 33	Usurped Crowned himself King of Poland in 1300	Přemyslid
(Uncrowned) Wenceslaus III of Bohemia Template:Langx 1305 – 1306 (1 year)	File:Vaclav3 pecet.jpg	File:Insigne Cechicum.svg	6 October 1289 Prague Son of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and Judith of Habsburg	(1) 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 of Bohemia, his rule over Poland was undermined by the remaining polish dukes - especially by Władysław I the Elbow-high, who had been exiled by Wenceslaus and had a strong claim to inheritance of Przemysł II, and by Henry III, Duke of Głogów, who also was an heir of Przemysł. The assassination of Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, which led to the extinction of the Přemyslid dynasty and a succession crisis in Bohemia, left Poland to Wenceslaus's opponents. His successors in Bohemia called themselves kings of Poland until 1335. Eventually, Władysław I the Elbow-high managed to unite the 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 Władysław I the Elbow-high Template:Langx 1306 – 1320 (as High Duke) 20 January 1320 – 2 March 1333 (as King) (26 years, 183 days)	16th century portrait by Antoni Boys	File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg	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 Template:Langx 25 April 1333 – 5 November 1370 (37 years, 195 days)	Sarcophagus effigy at Wawel Cathedral, Kraków	File:POL Przemysł II ca. 1350 COA.svg	30 April 1310 Kowal Son of Władysław I Łokietek and Jadwiga of Kalisz	(1) Aldona of Lithuania 2 children (2) Adelaide of Hesse (3) Christina Rokiczana (4) 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 of Hungary, beginning the Polish-Hungarian personal union. After Louis death, his kingdoms were separated - his younger daughter, Jadwiga of Poland, became the female king of Poland after a brief interregnum. Mary, Queen of Hungary became queen of Hungary.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Louis I of Hungary Template:Langx 17 November 1370 – 10 September 1382 (11 years, 298 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, Queen of Hungary	(1) Margaret of Bohemia, Queen of Hungary (2) Elizabeth of Bosnia 4 children	10 September 1382 Nagyszombat (Trnava) Aged 56	Succeeded his uncle, Casimir III the Great, to the Polish throne	Anjou
Queen Jadwiga of Poland Template:Langx 16 October 1384 – 17 July 1399 (14 years, 275 days)	Portrait on seal	File:Coat of arms of Jadwiga of Poland.svg	3 October 1373–18 February 1374 Buda Daughter of Louis I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Bosnia	(1) William, Duke of Austria (disputed) (2) Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila) 1 child	17 July 1399 Kraków Aged 25	Succeeded her father in Poland. The last hereditary ruler of Poland. Her husband was crowned jure uxoris on 4 March 1386.	Anjou

House of Jagiellon

Female king Jadwiga of Poland 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 II Jagiełło after baptism. This event led to the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian personal union. After Jadwiga's 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 the succession of their children.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Władysław II Jagiełło Template:Langx 2 February 1386 – 1 June 1434 (48 years, 120 days)	File:Jogaila (Władysław II).jpg	File:Władysław jagiełło.png	c. 1352/1362 Vilnius Son of Algirdas and Uliana of Tver	(1) Jadwiga of Poland 1 child (2) Anna of Cilli 1 child (3) Elizabeth Granowska (4) Sophia of Halshany 3 children	1 June 1434 Gródek Aged 72–82	Born a pagan Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Crowned co-ruler as husband Jadwiga of Poland Longest-reigning Polish monarch	Jagiellon
King Władysław III of Poland English: Ladislaus III of Varna Template:Langx 25 July 1434 – 10 November 1444 (10 years, 109 days)	File:Toruń - Władysław III.(2).jpg	File:Warneńczyk.png	31 October 1424 Kraków Son of Władysław II Jagiełło 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 Jagiellon Template:Langx 25 June 1447 – 7 June 1492 (44 years, 349 days)	File:Kazimier Jagajłavič. Казімер Ягайлавіч (1645).jpg	File:Kazimierz jagiellończyk.png	30 November 1427 Kraków Son of Władysław II Jagiełło and Sophia of Halshany	Elizabeth of Austria 13 children	7 June 1492 Grodno Aged 64	Election Previously Grand Duke of Lithuania Divided the Polish–Lithuanian realm between John I Albert and Alexander Jagiellon	Jagiellon
King John I Albert Template:Langx 27 August 1492 – 17 June 1501 (8 years, 295 days)	File:PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.4 454a.jpg	File:Jan olbracht.png	27 December 1459 Kraków Son of Casimir IV Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria	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 Jagiellon Template:Langx 3 October 1501 – 19 August 1506 (4 years, 321 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 Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria	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 – 1 April 1548 (41 years, 116 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 Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria	(1) Barbara Zápolya 2 children (2) 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 – 7 July 1572 (42 years, 203 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 the Old and Bona Sforza	(1) Elizabeth of Austria (2) Barbara Radziwiłł (3) 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 a single entity — the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth — to ensure that after his death both nations would 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 the 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 III of France, 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 the death of every king, the primate of Poland became an interrex; a temporary head of state, until a new king was elected.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim	House
King Henry III of France Template:Langx 16 May 1573 – 12 May 1575 (1 year, 362 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 of France and Catherine de' Medici	(1) Louise of Lorraine	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 Jagiellon Template:Langx 15 December 1575 – 19 August 1587 (de facto) (11 years, 248 days) – 9 September 1596 (de jure) (20 years, 270 days)	File:Kober Anna Jagiellon as a widow.jpg	File:COA family pl Jagiellon.svg	18 October 1523 Kraków Daughter of Sigismund I the Old and Bona Sforza	(1) Stephen Báthory	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 – 12 December 1586 (10 years, 226 days)	File:Riehl Portrait of Stephen Bathory.jpg	File:Bathory coat of arms.svg	27 September 1533 Szilágysomlyó Son of Stephen VIII Báthory and Catherine Telegdi	(1) Anna Jagiellon	12 December 1586 Grodno Aged 53	Elected as co-monarch with Anna Jagiellon Prince of Transylvania.	Báthory
King Sigismund III Vasa Template:Langx 19 August 1587 – 30 April 1632 (44 years, 256 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	(1) Anne of Austria 5 children (2) 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 Vasa also Ladislaus IV Template:Langx 8 November 1632 – 20 May 1648 (15 years, 195 days)	File:Rubens Wladyslaw Vasa.jpg	File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg	9 June 1595 Łobzów Son of Sigismund III Vasa and Anne of Austria	(1) Cecilia Renata of Austria 3 children (2) Marie Louise Gonzaga	20 May 1648 Merkinė Aged 52	Elected after the death of his father 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 – 16 September 1668 (19 years, 302 days)	File:Schultz John II Casimir Vasa.jpg	File:Polish House of Vasa Coa.svg	22 March 1609 Kraków Son of Sigismund III Vasa and Constance of Austria	(1) Marie Louise Gonzaga 2 children (2) Claudine Françoise Mignot (allegedly) 1 child?	16 December 1672 Nevers Aged 63	Elected after the death of his half-brother Previously a cardinal Titular King of Sweden Abdicated.	Vasa
King Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki Template:Langx 19 June 1669 – 10 November 1673 (4 years, 145 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 Wiśniowiecka	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 – 17 June 1696 (22 years, 30 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 Sobieska	(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 the Strong Template:Langx 15 September 1697 – 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	(1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth 1 child	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 Stanisław Leszczyński Template:Langx 12 July 1704 – 8 July 1709 (1st reign, 4 years, 362 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 Leszczyńska	(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 the Strong Template:Langx 8 July 1709 – 1 February 1733 (2nd reign, 23 years, 209 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	(1) Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth 1 child	1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62	Restored	Wettin
King Stanisław Leszczyński Template:Langx 12 September 1733 – 26 January 1736 (2nd reign, 2 years, 137 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	(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 of Poland in 1736	Leszczyński
King Augustus III of Poland Template:Langx 5 October 1733 – 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 of Brandenburg-Bayreuth	(1) Maria Josepha of Austria 16 children	5 October 1763 Dresden Aged 66	Usurped Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734 Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736	Wettin
King Stanisław August Poniatowski Template:Langx 7 September 1764 – 25 November 1795 (31 years, 80 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	Officially unmarried; (1) Elżbieta Szydłowska (allegedly) presumably several unacknowledged children	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 a 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 the 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 of Saxony Template:Langx 9 June 1807 – 22 May 1815 (7 years, 348 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 Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria	(1) Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld 1 child	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 the 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 Kingdom of Poland. In 1846, Kraków was annexed by Austria, as Grand Duchy of Kraków, 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

{{#section::Family tree of Polish monarchs|FamilyTreeOfPolishMonarchs}}

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)
• William, Duke of Austria (1384–1406)
• Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria (1916–1918)
• Kiril, Prince of Preslav (1916–1918)

Modern

• Alexander Prinz von Sachsen (2012–present), disputed
• Rüdiger von Sachsen (2012–2022), disputed
• Daniel von Sachsen (2022–present), 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 Polsce, 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.
• Maciorowski, Mirosław; Maciejewska, Beata (2018). Władcy Polski. Historia na nowo opowiedziana (in polski). Warszawa: Agora. ISBN 978-83-268-2720-4.
• Morby J.E., Dynastie świata. Przewodnik chronologiczny i genealogiczny, Kraków 1995, pp. 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. 14 June 2009.