The name Poland is derived from that of the Polanie, a Slavic people thatsettled in the area, probably in the 5th century AD. Polish historybegins with the conversion of the Polish nation to Christianity in 966under Prince Mieszko I. Mieszko's son, Boleslaw, was crowned as the firstking of Poland, establishing the Piast dynasty, which lasted until 1370.
Mieszko led the Poles into Christianity, in order to compete better withthe crusading and marauding Germans. During the reign (992-1025) of hisson, Boleslav I, the Christian church was firmly established in Poland.
{pee-ahst'}
The first Polish dynasty, the Piasts, ruled from c.960 to 1370. The namecomes from the legendary peasant founder of the dynasty but was not usedby historians until the 17th century. Mieszko I, c.930-92 (r. c.960-92),the first Piast king, accepted Christianity from Rome in 966, a date thatmarks the official birth of the Polish state. Under Boleslaw I(r.992-1025), Poland expanded to roughly its present boundaries.
