Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn
Mesko I. von Teschen (also Mieszko I of Teschen; Polish Mieszko cieszyński; Czech Mesek I. Těšínský, * 1252-1256; † before 27 August 1315) was from 1281 to 1290, together with his youngest brother Primislaus Duke of Ratibor and 1290-1315 Duke of Teschen.
Life
Mesko I. came from the Opole Silesian branch of the Piast dynasty. His parents were Duke Władysław I of Opole - Ratibor and his wife Eufemia. 1280 ago, Mesko married with a woman of unknown origin, who died around 1303. With her he had the sons of Casimir and Wladislaus of Auschwitz and the daughter Viola, dealing with the Czech king Wenceslas III. married and later took the name Elizabeth.
After the death of Meskos father Władysław I. 1281/82 his duchy was divided on his four sons. Mesko was first together with his youngest brother Primislaus the area of Ratibor with Teschen and Auschwitz. In 1290 it spun off from Teschen and Auschwitz, which the Duchy of Teschen was that Mesko subsequently ruled alone. All four sons of the Duke Władysław I titled as a sign of togetherness continue as dukes of Opole.
Like his brothers Mesko turned political Bohemia and refused to support piastischer pretender to the Polish throne. Already on January 17, 1291, he paid homage with his younger brother Bolko I. Olomouc King Wenceslas II, with whom she simultaneously graduating an alliance which amounted to a feudal agreement. Both pledged to Wenceslas assist in enforcing its rights against anyone and vowed to take part in a possible campaign Wenceslas in person or, where appropriate, to send their men. In addition, they promised each time to open the king their castles. For the case of conquests made them Wenceslas a reward in view. The alliance with Mesko was for King Wenceslas of particular importance, since through its territory the direct path link to Krakow led the conquest of which was important in Wenceslas aspirations to the throne of Poland.
Even a year later, Mesko 1292 with King Wenceslas against Władysław I the Elbow- who was forced to renounce Cracow and Sandomir on 9 October 1292 stock at Sieradz. Together with the other Upper Silesian dukes took Mesko at Pentecost 1297 at Wenceslas in Prague coronation part and three years later at the coronation as King of Poland in Gniezno. Presumably, during the lifetime of King Wenceslas II Meskos daughter Viola was in 1305 with his son and successor Wenceslas III. married, however died just a year later. During his last years of life Mesko supported the Bohemian king John of Luxembourg.
Mesko business like his father and his brethren an intensive settlement policy. He founded numerous towns and lent among others Teschen, Auschwitz, Zator, Bielsko, Skoczów and Freistadt the municipal law.
After Meskos death in 1315, the area of Auschwitz from the Duchy of Teschen was removed, making the Duchy of Auschwitz originated, which received the second-born son Władysław. The so reduced Duchy of Teschen kept Meskos firstborn son Casimir I