destruction of him and his whole army. The massacre was already begun when Boleslaus received the intelligence; and, having already assembled part of his army, fell upon the traitors with such fury that they were obliged to fly, and he got safe to Poland. But in the mean time Jarislaus, having assembled fresh forces, pursued the Poles; and having come up with them just as one-half had crossed the river Boristhenes attacked them with the utmost fury. Boleslaus defended himself with resolution; the Russians were entirely put to the rout, and a terrible carnage ensued. The vistory, however, though complete, was not decisive; for which reason Boleslaus continued his retreat, without attempting to conquer a country too extensive for him to keep in subjection. He next led his army into Saxony, plundered the country, and fixed the boundaries of his empire at the Elbe; where he erected two iron columns. He afterwards conquered Prussia and Pomerania; and then applied himself wholly to the enacting of wholesome laws. But in the midst of this tranquillity Jarislaus assembled the most numerous army that had ever been heard of in Russia, with which he appeared on the frontier of Poland. Boleslaus, though now advanced in years, marched out against his adversaries, and met them on the banks of the Boristhenes, where he gained another signal victory. Many thousand prisoners were taken, whom Boleslaus released upon very easy conditions. This well timed clemency produced such a happy effect, that the Russians voluntarily submitted to his jurisdiction, and again became his subjects. He died in 1025, after having vastly extended his dominions. Boleslaus was succeeded by his son Mieczislaus II., but he possessed none of the great qualities of his father, being indolent and debauched. In the beginning of his reign the Russians, Bohemians, and Moravians, revolted. However, as the spirit and discipline introduced by Boleslaus still remained in the army, Mieczislaus found no difficulty in reducing them again to obedience: after which, devoting himself entirely to voluptuousness, he was seized with a frenzy, which put an end to his life in 1034. The bad conduct of this prince proved very detrimental to the interest of his son Casimir. Instead of electing him king, the people chose Rixa his mother queen regent. She proved tyrannical, and so partial to her countrymen, the Germans, that a rebellion ensued, and she was forced to fly to Germany, whither she had sent Boleslaus's vast treasure. In consequence of her bad behaviour and expulsion, Casimir was driven out of the kingdom; and, a civil war taking place, many pretenders to the crown appeared. To the miseries occasioned by this were added those of foreign war both with the Bohemians and Russians. In the midst of these accumulated distresses, Casimir was loudly called for, and his election to the throne resolved on. After some search, he was discovered in France, where he had assumed the monastic habit. A dispensation being obtained, his return was celebrated with joy by all ranks; and he was crowned at Gnesna, by the primate, with great solemnity.

He

proved a virtuous and pacific prince; suppressed the banditti, restored order, and by his marriage with the princess Mary, sister to the duke of Russia, all differences with that nation were terminated. The kingdom flourished during his reign, and became more respectable from the wisdom and stability of the administration than it could have been by many victories. After a happy reign of sixteen years, he died much beloved and regretted.

By the administration of Casimir, the kingdom required sufficient strength to carry on several successive wars. Boleslaus II., the son of Casimir, an enterprising and valiant prince, succeeded to the throne; and three unfortunate princes, expelled from their own dominions, took refuge at his court. These were, Jacomir, son of Briteslaus, duke of Bohemia; Bela, brother to the king of Hungary; and Zaslaus, duke of Kiovia, eldest son to Jarislaus duke of Russia. The duke of Bohemia, dreading the consequences of Jacomir's escape, assembled an army, and, without any declaration of war, marched through the Hercynian forest, desolating Silesia, and laid waste the frontiers of Poland. Boleslaus marched against him with a greatly inferior force; but by his superior abilities surrounded his adversary in a wood, and reduced him to the greatest distress. In this extremity the duke sent proposals for accommodation, which were rejected with disdain by Boleslaus; upon which the former ordering fires to be kindled in his camp, as if he designed to continue there, escaped in the night. The king pursued him, but in vain; so he returned, after ravaging the frontiers of Moravia. The next year he entered Bohemia with a numerous army; but the duke submitted to such terms as he thought proper to impose. In these Jacomir was not forgotten, after which he determined to march towards Hungary, to assist Bela. Entering that country, at the head of a numerous body, he seized the king, who soon after died of a broken heart; so that Bela succeeded to the throne without farther opposition. After these victories, however, Boleslaus, instead of assisting Zaslaus, began to think of subjecting the whole of his dominion to himself, in right of his queen, as well as of his descent from Jarislaus's sister. Having therefore assembled a very numerous and well disciplined force, he entered the duchy of Kiovia, where he was opposed by Wisseslaus, who had usurped the sovereignty. Boleslaus, however, continued to advance; and the Russian prince, being intimidated by the number and good order of his enemies, deserted his own troops, and fled away privately; upon which his forces dispersed. The inhabitants of Kiovia now called to their assistance Suantoslaus and Uszevold, two brothers of Wisseslaus; but these princes, acting the part of mediators, procured pardon for the inhabitants from Zaslaus their natural sovereign. With the same facility the two princes recovered all the other dominions belonging to Zaslaus, only one city venturing to stand a siege, which was soon reduced. But in the mean time, the king of Hungary dying, a revolt ensued, and the two sons of Bela were on the point of being

deprived of their dominions. This Boleslaus no sooner heard than he marched into Hungary; where, by the bare terror of his name, he re-established tranquillity. While this was accomplishing, Zaslaus was again driven from his territories, all the conquests formerly made were lost, and Suantoslaus and Uszevold rendered more powerful than ever. The king, however, soon disconcerted their measures. He ravaged the palatines of Lusac and Chelm, reduced the strong city of Wolyn, and transported the booty to Poland. The campaign was finished by a battle with Uszevold, which proved so bloody that, though Boleslaus was victorious, his army was much weakened, and he could not pursue his conquests. In winter he made numerous levies; and returning in spring to Kiova reduced it, after several desperate attacks, by famine: but, instead of treating the inhabitants with cruelty, he commended their valor, and strictly prohibited his troops from pillaging or insulting them; distributing provisions among them with the utmost liberality. But this clemency was followed by a great disaster. Kiovia was the most dissolute, as well as the richest city in the north, and the king and all his soldiers gave themselves up to the dissipations of the place. The Polish women, exasperated at their husbands having been seven years absent, are said to have proved almost universally unfaithful. The effect was a géneral desertion, and Boleslaus saw himself left almost alone in the heart of Russia. A civil war now ensued; and when Boleslaus arrived with the few remaining Poles, and assisted by an army of Russians, he with difficulty restored the public peace. To add to the calamities of this unhappy kingdom, the schisms which for some time had prevailed in the church of Rome found their way into Poland. The matter came at last to be a contention for wealth and power between the king and clergy. This soon gave occasion to bloodshed; and the bishop of Cracow was massacred in his cathedral while performing the sacerdotal duties. This and other outrages in a short time brought on the signal vengeance of the clergy. Pope Gregory VII. thundered out the most dreadful anathemas against the king, released his subjects from their allegiance, deprived him of the titles of sovereignity, and laid the kingdom under a general interdict. To this terrible sentence Boleslaus in vain opposed his authority, and tried to recal the spirit which had formerly rendered him so formidable. Conspiracies were formed against him, and the whole kingdom became a scene of confusion. He fled therefore with his son Mieczislaus into Hungary: but here also the Vengeance of the clergy pursued him, nor did they cease persecuting him till he was brought to a miserable end. Some writers state that he was murdered by the clergy as he was hunting; others that he killed himself in despair; and one author tells us that he wandered about in the woods of Hungary, and was at last killed and devoured by dogs. The destruction of Boleslaus was not sufficient to allay the papal It extended to the whole kingdom of Poland. Mieczislaus, the son of Boleslaus,

resentment.

was not suffered to ascend the throne; and the kingdom continued under the interdict which could be removed only by the force of gold. Besides the tax called Peter pence, new impositions were added of the most oppressive nature; till at length the pontiff, having satiated his avarice and impoverished the country, consented that Uladislaus, the brother of the deceased monarch, should be raised to the sovereignty with the title of duke. This prince being of a meek disposition, with little ambition, acquiesced in the will of the pope, accepted the terms offered, and sent an embassy to Rome. The interdict was now removed, but all his endeavours to recover the regal dignity proved fruitless; the pope having, in conjunction with the emperor of Germany, conferred that honor on the duke of Bohemia. Russia took the opportunity of the late civil disturbances to throw off the yoke; and this revolt drew after it the revolt of Prussia, Pomerania, and other provinces. The smaller provinces, however, were soon reduced; but the duke had no sooner returned to Poland than they again rebelled, and hid their families in impenetrable forests. Uladislaus marched against them with a considerable army; but was entirely defeated, and obliged to return back with disgrace. Next year, however, he had better fortune; and, having led against them a more numerous army, they submitted, and delivered up the ring-leaders of the revolt. No sooner were the Pomeranians reduced than civil dissensions took place. Sbigneus, the son of Uladislaus by a concubine, was placed at the head of an army by the discontented nobility, to subvert his father's government, and dispute the title of Boleslaus to the succession. The war was terminated by the defeat and captivity of Sbigneus; who was at first contined, but afterwards released, on condition that he should join his father in punishing the palatine of Cracow.

Before this could be done the palatine effected a reconciliation with the duke; with which the young princes being displeased, a war took place between them and their father. At last the palatine of Cracow was banished and the princes submitted; after which Uladislaus, having chastised the Prussians and Pomeranians, who had again revolted, died in 1103, the fifty-ninth year of his age. Uladislaus was succeeded by his son Boleslaus III., who divided the dominions equally betwixt his brother Sbigneus and himself. The former, being dissatisfied with his share, raised several cabals, and a civil war was for some time only prevented by the good offices of the primate; but at last Sbigneus, having stirred up the Bohemians, Saxons, and Moravians, against his brother, made such formidable preparations as threatened the conquest of all Poland. Boleslaus, being unprovided with forces to oppose such a formidable power, had recourse to the Russians and Hungarians; who readily embraced his cause. The event was, that Sbigneus was entirely defeated, and might easily have been obliged to surrender himself at discretion, had not Boleslaus left him in quiet possession of the duchy of Mazovia, to maintain himself suitably to his dignity. This kindness the ungrateful St igneus

that it was almost unanimously voted that they had kindled an unjust war; and, to take away every pretence for renewing the civil discords of Poland, they were a second time invested with the duchy of Silesia. After this, Boleslaus applied himself to the duties of his government at home till his death, which happened in 1174.

The states now raised his brother Mieczislaus to the ducal throne; but the moment he ceased to be a subject, he became a tyrant, and a slave to almost every vice; in consequence of which he was deposed, and his brother Casimir elected. Casimir was a prince of the greatest justice and benevolence; he redressed grievances, suppressed exorbitant imposts, and assembled a general diet, in which it was proposed to rescue the peasants from the tyranny of the nobility. This proved less difficult than had been imagined: the nobility were influenced by the example of the sovereign, they immediately granted all that he required; and, to secure this declaration in favor of the peasants, the archbishop of Gnesna issued anathemas against those who should endeavour to regain the privileges which they had now renounced; and the acts of the diet were transmitted to Rome, where they were confirmed by the pope. Finally, in an assembly of the diet, Casimir proposed to resign the sovereignty in favor of his brother. To this the states replied in the most peremptory manner: they desired him never more to mention the subject, lest they should be under the necessity both of deposing him and excluding his brother, who, they were determined, should never more have the dominion of Poland. Casimir, however, was so much concerned at the account of his brother's misfortunes, that he tried every method to relieve him, and even connived at the arts practised by some discontented noblemen to restore him. By a singular generosity, he facilitated the reduction of Gnesna and Lower Poland, where Mieczislaus might have lived in peace and splendor, had not his heart been incapable of feeling kindness. The consequence was, that he used all his art to wrest from his brother the whole of Poland, and actually conquered the provinces of Mazovia and Cujava; but of these he was soon dispossessed. After this he made another attempt, on occasion of a report that Casimir had been poisoned in an expedition into Russia. He surprised the city of Cracow; but the city refused to surrender, and his hopes were entirely blasted by the return of Casimir himself; who, with unparalleled magnanimity intreated peace of him. The last action of this amiable prince was the conquest of Russia, which he effected rather by the reputation of his wisdom and generosity than by arms. Those barbarians voluntarily submitted to a prince so famed for his benevolence and humanity. Soon after his return he died at Cracow, lamented as the best prince in every respect who had hitherto filled the throne.

Casimir left one son, named Lechus, an infant; and the states, dreading the consequences of a minority, hesitated at appointing him sovereign. At last, however, Lechus was nominated, chiefly through the interest he had obtained by the reputation of his father's virtues. The consequence was what might have been expected.

Mieczislaus formed an alliance against him with the dukes of Opelen, Pomerania, and Breslau; and, having raised all the men in Lower Poland that could bear arms, took the road to Cracow with a numerous army. A bloody battle was fought on the banks of the Mozgarva; in which both sides were so much weakened that they were forced to retire. Mieczislaus was first ready for action, and therefore had the advantage; however, he thought proper to employ artifice rather than force; having, therefore, attempted in vain to corrupt the guardians of Lechus, he entered into a treaty with the duchess dowager his mother. To her he represented the miseries which would ensue from her refusal of the conditions he proposed. He stipulated to adopt Lechus and Conrade, her sons, for his own; to surrender the province of Cujava for their support; and to declare them heirs to all his dominions. The principal nobility opposed this accommodation, but it was accepted by the duchess; and Mieczislaus was once more put in possession of the capital, after having taken a solemn oath to execute the treaty. But it was a maxim with him that a sovereign is no longer obliged to keep his oath than while he dare not break it. Having obtained power, he soon acted as if no treaty with the duchess had subsisted. On this, the duchess, perceiving herself duped, formed a strong party; Mieczislaus was driven out of Cracow, and almost reduced to his former circumstances, when he produced a variance between the duchess and the palatine of Cracow, and once more regained possession of that district, but did not long enjoy his prosperity, falling a victim to his intemperance; so that Lechus was restored in 1206. The government of Lechus II. was altogether most unfortunate. In his time the Tartars made an irruption, and committed every where the most cruel ravages; they came at last to an engagement with the Poles, assisted by the Russians; and, after an obstinate and dreadful conflict, obtained a complete victory. This incursion, however, terminated precipitately; for they retired just as the whole kingdom was ready to submit; but the devastations they had committed produced a famine, which was soon followed by a pestilence that depopulated the whole country. In this unhappy situation of affairs, Lechus was murdered by his subjects as he was bathing. A civil war took place after his death; and the history for some time is so confused that it is difficult to say who was his successor. During this anarchy the Tartars made a second irruption, and were advancing to the capital when they were attacked and defeated with great slaughter by the palatine of Cracow. The power of the enemy, however, was not broken; next year they returned, and committed incredible barbarities. They were returning, laden with spoil, when the palatine again fell upon them, but after an obstinate engagement he was defeated; the nobility now fled into Hungary, and the peasants sought an asylum among rocks and forests. Cracow, being left defenceless, was taken, pillaged, and burnt; after which the Tartars desolated Silesia and Moravia, destroying Breslau and other cities. Nor did Hungary escape their barbarity; the king