An Introduction to the History of the Principal Kingdoms and States of Europe

Chapter X

377 u chapte r x u Of Poland.§1. The Poles, who anciently were called Samartians, and afterwards Slavonians, derived their Name from the Nature of the Country [Land ] which they possess; which lies most upon a Plain, for Pole signifies in their language a Plain; tho some are of opinion that the Word Polacki, is as much as to say, the Posterity of Lechus. This Nation [Volck] formerly did inhabit nearer to the Country of the Tartars; but after vast Numbers out of Germany ‘entred’ [invaded] the Roman Provinces, their places were supplied [taken] by the nations living behind them. And it seems that Poland being in the same manner left by its Inhabitants, which were then Venedi or Wends, they made room for the next that took their Place. These [Poles] then, as ’tis said, having taken possession of this Country about the year 550, did, under the Conduct of Lechus, lay there the Foundation of a new State. Lechus resided at Gniesen, being encouraged thereunto by an Eagles Nest which he found there, and taking it as a good Omen, put an Eagle into the Arms [Wappen] of the new Commonwealth, giving to that City the name of Gniesen, which in the Polish Language signifies a Nest. This Nation first setled it self in that part of the Country, which now goes by the name of the great[er] and lesser Poland; neither did their Limits [borders] extend any further, tho since that time they are mightily encreased. 1. Greater Poland designated the western and central areas, while lesser Poland referred to the southeastern tip of the country. Origins of the Kingd. of Poland. Lechus. 378 chapter x§2. The first Governours [Regenten] of this Nation did not assume to themselves the Title of Kings, but only that of Dukes; and the first form of Government was very inconstant: for after the Race [Stamm] of Lechus was extinguished (tho it is uncertain how many of them, and for how long a time they Ruled, or what were their Atchievments) twelve Governours [Obristen], which in their Language are called Vayvods , did administer the Government, who having at first regulated and refined this barbarous People [rohe Volck] by good Laws , at last were divided among themselves. Wherefore {around the Year 700} the Poles elected for their Prince one Cracus, who having restored the Commonwealth to its former {orderly } State, built the City of Cracovia, so called after his own Name, which he made his place of residence. Whose youngest Son Lechus II. to obtain the Principality, murthered his elder Brother; but as soon as the Fact was discovered, he was banished [from] the Country. After him \A. 750\ ruled a Virgin, whose Name was Venda, the only |[Daughter left of the Children]| of Cracus, who having vanquished one Ritiger a German Prince that pretended [sought] Mariage to her[,] out of a blind Superstition, drowned herself in the River of Weixel. After her death the administration of the Government returned again to the Governours or Vayvods, which continued for some time, till the Poles elected for their Prince a Goldsmith called Premislus, who is also called Lescus I. because he had by a Stratagem defeated the Moravians , who had made an Irruption into Poland. But he leaving no Issue behind him a Horse Race was instituted, with condition that the Victor should succeed in the Government. One of the Competitours had laid Iron Hooks in the Ground, by which means the others Horses having been lamed he was the first that came to the Goal, but the Fraud being discovered he was killed upon the spot. In the mean while a certain poor Fellow on foot had run the Race and was the next ‘to’ [after] the Impostor, whom the Poles declared their Prince \A. 776\. His name was Lescus II. and as some say, was slain in the Wars against Charles the Great \A. 804\. Him succeeded his Son Lescus III. who having appeased 2. Rather: “remaining child.” Twelve Vayvods or Governours. Cracus. Lechus II. Venda. Lescus I. Lescus II. Lescus III. of poland 379 Charles the Great, with Presents, made Peace with him, either {it seems} as an unequal Allie, or else |[by acknowledging himself his Vassal.]| He left Poland to his Son Popiel, whom he had begot in Wedlock; but to his natural Sons he gave the neighbouring Countries of Pomerania, Marck...