Slavery in Poland

Slavery in Poland existed on the territory of Kingdom of Poland during the times of the Piast dynasty in the Middle Ages. It continued in various forms until late in the 14th century and was supplanted by the institution of serfdom, which has often been considered a form of modified slavery.

Polish literature refers to this group of people as "unfree people" (Polish: ludzie niewolni, Latin: servi, ancillae, familia) rather than as slaves.

The institution of slavery appeared on the Polish territories around Early Middle Ages, as it became adopted by various Slav and German tribes. It played a lesser (if still significant) role in the economy and culture of those tribes (and later, states) than in those of the Roman Empire. It existed on the territory of Kingdom of Poland during the times of the Piast dynasty; in fact, the number of slaves rose significantly with the establishment of the Polish state, as most of the slaves were owned by the king.

According to Samuel Augustus Mitchell, non-free people were emancipated in Poland in 1347 under the Statutes of Casimir the Great issued in Wiślica, although there are indications that some form of slavery, in practice and law, continued at least till the end of the 14th century. Throughout the remaining history of feudal Poland, particularly in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, much of the peasantry was subject to serfdom, which was often likened to slavery. Serfdom was abolished in Poland in the 19th century during the times of the partitions of Poland.

The niewolni came primarily from the ranks of prisoners of war who were not freed after ransom was paid.

Casimir the Great.

In 1325 Casimir married Aldona-Ona, the pagan daughter of Gediminas (Giedymin), duke of Lithuania. Baptized before the wedding, Aldona brought with her thousands of Polish prisoners of war (one chronicle tells of 24,000) as a sign of reconciliation between Poland and the then still-pagan Lithuania.

Piasts.

Lenkijos įkūrimas.

The early dukes and kings of Poland regarded themselves as descendants of the semi-legendary Piast the Wheelwright (Piast Kołodziej), first mentioned in the Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum (Chronicles and deeds of the dukes or princes of the Poles), written c. 1113 by Gallus Anonymus. However, the term "Piast Dynasty" was not applied until the 17th century, introduced by the Polish historian Adam Naruszewicz, it is not documented in contemporary sources.

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Kilęs iš Piastų dinastijos. Padedamas katalikų bažnyčios kovojo su prūsais ir jotvingiais, puldinėjančiais Mazovijos (Mozūrijos) žemes. Popiežiaus Honorijaus III palaimintas 1217, 1218, 1219, 1222, 1223 m. surengė lenkų kunigaikščių kryžiaus žygius prieš prūsus.

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997 Šv. Vaitiekus, Prahos vyskupas, vyksta į misiją skleisti krikščionybę prūsų genčiai, įsikūrusiai šiaurinėje Lenkijos dalyje. Šv.Vaitiekus - Gdansko miesto įkūrėjas. Nužudytas misijos vykdymo metu, tapo pirmuoju lenkų šventuoju.

Prūsai Lenkijoj.

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X–XI a. sandūroje aisčiai skyrėsi nuo gretimų kraštų kaip diena ir naktis.

Jie krikščioniškų tautų bendrijoje buvę lyg sala jūroje: dar laikėsi pagonių tikėjimo ir papročių, atkakliai gynėsi nuo antpuolių, dar jautėsi saugūs.

Kaimynai puldavę jų žemes, bet nelabai sėkmingai.

Neužsibūdavo čia nei vikingai, nei slavai, nei danai.

Apie 1020 m. pastarieji laimėjo mūšį Semboje, bet jau po 50 metų jų karalius Svenas pripažįsta: „Sembai nepakenčia jokių ponų.“

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Babelis.

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Slaves Rowing at Babylon.