The
Piast dynasty was the first Polish historical Royal
dynasty that ruled
Poland from its beginnings starting with the semi-legendary
Piast Kolodziej (Piast the Wheelwright). The first historically undisputed Piast ruler is
Mieszko I from 10th century. The dynasty ruled
Poland until 1370 which is the date of death of king
Casimir the Great.
Branches of the Piasts dynasty continued to rule in the Duchy of Masovia and in the duchies of Silesia after 1370, until the last Silesian Piast died in 1675.
The Piasts intermarried with several noble lines of Europe, and possessed numerous titles, including those within Holy Roman Empire.
Although the early dukes and kings of Poland are said to have considered themselves Piast's descendants, the term "Piast Dynasty" was invented in the 17th century [1] [2] by historians, working for a number of rulers who governed duchies in Silesia. In a historical book the term was first used by Adam Naruszewicz in his History of the Polish Nation.
