Mieszko

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Mieszko
PronunciationPolish: [ˈmjɛʂkɔ]
Gendermale
Origin
Word/name Slavic
Meaningmiecz ("sword")
Other names
Related names Mieczysław
[1]

Mieszko is a Slavic given name of uncertain origin.

Contents

Onomastics

There are three major theories concerning the origin and meaning of the name of Duke Mieszko I of Poland. The most popular theory, proposed by Jan Długosz, explains that Mieszko is a diminutive of Mieczysław, a combination of two elements or lexemes: Miecz meaning sword and Sław meaning famous. Today, this theory is rejected by the majority of Polish historians, who consider the name Mieczysław to have been invented by Długosz to explain the origin of the name Mieszko. It is known today that ancient Slavs never formed their names using either animal names or weapon names[ citation needed ]. Ancient Slavic names were abstract in nature[ citation needed ]. The same explanation rules out another theory about the origin of the name Mieszko, which links the name with the Polish word miś or miśko meaning bear, as no animal names were used to form honorable Polish names among Polish nobility. [2]

The second most popular theory about the origin and sense of Mieszko's name can be traced to the very old legend, firstly described by Gallus Anonymus, according to which Mesco (the Latinized form used by the earliest sources) was blind during his first seven years of life. The chronicler related this story (a typical medieval allegory) as follows:

At that time (after Mieszko recovered his eyesight) Prince Siemomysł urgently asked the elderly people of his country whether his son's blindness conveyed some miraculous meaning. They explained that this blindness meant that Poland was blind back then, but from now was going to be illuminated by Mieszko and elevated over the neighboring nations.

This interpretation was a clear reference to the later baptism of the duke:

Poland was indeed blind before, knowing nothing about the true God or the principles of the Catholic faith, but thanks to the enlightenment of Mieszko the country also had become enlightened, because when he adopted the faith, the Polish nation was saved from death and destruction. [3]

In addition, it is known that the Slavic word "mzec" can be interpreted as "having his eyes closed" or "be blind". Yet again, today it is almost certain that this legend was used as a metaphor, in allusion to the old Slavic pagan ceremony known as the "postrzyżyny": During that ceremony hair cutting was performed to every boy at the age of seven. In that symbolic rite a child became a man. That explains that Mieszko wasn't blind in fact. He was blind only metaphorically. Besides his son's name was also Mieszko and it is hard to believe that he was also blind. In addition, early medieval Slavs used only abstract names among nobility. [2]

List of people named Mieszko

Related Research Articles

Mieszko I was Duke of Poland from 960 until his death in 992 and the founder of the first unified Polish state, the Civitas Schinesghe. A member of the Piast dynasty, he was the first Christian ruler of Poland and continued the policies of both his father Siemomysł and grandfather Lestek, who initiated a process of unification among the Polish tribes and the creation of statehood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piast dynasty</span> First ruling dynasty of Poland (960–1370)

The House of Piast was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. The first documented Polish monarch was Duke Mieszko I. The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of King Casimir III the Great.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racibórz</span> Place in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Racibórz is a city in Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland. It is the administrative seat of Racibórz County.

Lestek was the second duke of Polans, and son of Siemowit, born c. 870–880, mentioned in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum by Gallus Anonimus. The dukes of Polans were the foundation of the Piast dynasty, the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mieszko IV Tanglefoot</span> Duke of Kraków

Mieszko IV Tanglefoot was Duke of Kraków and High Duke of Poland from 9 June 1210 until his death one year later. He was also Duke of Silesia from 1163 to 1173, Duke of Racibórz from 1173, and Duke of Opole from 1202.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lechites</span> Speakers of Lechitic West Slavic languages in the region of Poland

Lechites, also known as the Lechitic tribes, is a name given to certain West Slavic tribes who inhabited modern-day Poland and eastern Germany, and were speakers of the Lechitic languages. Distinct from the Czech–Slovak subgroup, they are the closest ancestors of ethnic Poles and of Pomeranians, Lusatians and Polabians.

The most important phenomenon that took place within the lands of Poland in the Early Middle Ages, as well as other parts of Central Europe was the arrival and permanent settlement of the West Slavic or Lechitic peoples. The Slavic migrations to the area of contemporary Poland started in the second half of the 5th century AD, about a half century after these territories were vacated by Germanic tribes fleeing from the Huns. The first waves of the incoming Slavs settled the vicinity of the upper Vistula River and elsewhere in the lands of present southeastern Poland and southern Masovia. Coming from the east, from the upper and middle regions of the Dnieper River, the immigrants would have had come primarily from the western branch of the early Slavs known as Sclaveni, and since their arrival are classified as West Slavs and Lechites, who are the closest ancestors of Poles.[a]

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The Silesian Piasts were the elder of four lines of the Polish Piast dynasty beginning with Władysław II the Exile (1105–1159), eldest son of Duke Bolesław III of Poland. By Bolesław's testament, Władysław was granted Silesia as his hereditary province and also the Lesser Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków according to the principle of agnatic seniority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn</span>

Mieszko I of Cieszyn (Polish: Mieszko cieszyński, Czech: Měšek I. Těšínský, German: Mesko I (Teschen); also known as Mieszko I of Opole; 1252/56 – by 27 June 1315), was a Duke of Racibórz during 1282–1290 (with his brother as co-ruler) and the first Duke of Cieszyn since 1290 until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duchy of Racibórz</span> Polish Duchy from 1172-1202 and 1281-1521

Duchy of Racibórz was one of the duchies of Silesia, formed during the medieval fragmentation of Poland into provincial duchies. Its capital was Racibórz in Upper Silesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duchy of Opole</span> Silesian duchy (1172–1202; 1281–1532)

Duchy of Opole was one of the duchies of Silesia ruled by the branch of Polish Piast dynasty, formed during the medieval fragmentation of Poland into provincial duchies. Its capital was Opole in Upper Silesia.

Mieszko Bolesławowic was the only son of Bolesław II the Generous, King of Poland. Mieszko was Prince of Kraków from 1086 until his death in 1089.

Emnilda, was a Slavic noblewoman and Duchess of Poland from 992 by her marriage with the Piast ruler Bolesław I the Brave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casimir I of Opole</span> Silesian duke of Opole and Racibórz

Casimir I of Opole, a member of the Piast dynasty, was a Silesian duke of Opole and Racibórz from 1211 until his death.

Viola, Duchess of Opole, also known as Veleslava, Polish: Wencisława-Wiola; was a Duchess consort of Opole-Racibórz through her marriage to Casimir I.

Casimir of Bytom was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolesław II the Bold</span> Duke of Poland (1058–76); King of Poland (1076–79)

Bolesław II the Bold, also known as the Generous was Duke of Poland from 1058 to 1076 and King of Poland from 1076 to 1079. He was the eldest son of Duke Casimir I the Restorer and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolesław (given name)</span> Name list

Bolesław, Boleslaw, Boleslav or Boleslaus in Latin, is a male given name of Slavic origin meaning great glory. Feminine forms: Bolesława / Boleslava.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duchy of Opole and Racibórz</span>

The Duchy of Opole and Racibórz was one of the numerous Duchies of Silesia ruled by the Silesian branch of the royal Polish Piast dynasty. It was formed in 1202 from the union of the Upper Silesian duchies of Opole and the Racibórz, in a rare exception to the continuing feudal fragmentation of the original Duchy of Silesia.

The history of Christianity in Poland started in the reign of Mieszko I of Poland, who was baptised in 966.

References

  1. http://www.behindthename.com/name/mieszko
  2. 1 2 Włodzimierz K. Krzyżanowski, "Arystokracja rodowa w Polsce", Warszawa, 2007
  3. Gallus Anonymus, Kronika polska, vol. I, chap. 4