Mieszko the Old
Mieszko the Old (1126-1202), the prince of Great Poland under
his father's will, became senior prince and ascended the Cracow throne
after the death of his brother,
Boleslaus the Curly. His attempts at strengthening his authority
provoked dissatisfaction among the nobles, and then an open revolt, as a result
of which in 1177 the Cracow province was seized by
Casimir the Just.
Mieszko did not give up his position easily
and strove to regain the throne. His efforts succeeded when for several
he was allowed to rule on behalf of the minor
Leszek the White, the son of Casimir the Just.
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