Miecław

Miecław (also Masław, Mojsław and Miesław, ?-1047), in the Latin of Gallus Meczzlavus, was a pincera (i.e. cup-bearer or butler) of Duke Mieszko II of Poland, and a rebel who tried to detach himself and Masovia from the power of the Polish duke.

Little is known about the early life of Miecław. Initially he was a cup-bearer of Mieszko II and his governor of Masovia. However, the regional crisis that led to the rule of Bezprym weakened the overlordship over Masovia.

Following the death of Mieszko II in 1034, Poland experienced a period of revolts and massive anti-Christian reaction. Initially Casimir I could not gain enough power to reunite the country and the region succumbed into chaos. The pagan reaction in Masovia was particularly strong and it is assumed that Miecław, having achieved delegated authority in Masovia he under Mieszko, simply took advantage of the difficult situation to increase his rights or become independent.

However, in 1039 Casimir I was supported by Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor against the Bohemians and soon afterwards the legitimate ruler also concluded an alliance with Kievan Rus. This allowed him to gather enough forces to attack the province. That Masovia was also under constant attacks by pagan Pomeranians, Prussians and Yotvingians meant the Polish invasion was just too much.

Finally in 1047 he was attacked by the joint forces of Casimir I and Yaroslav I the Wise and was probably killed in a battle on the shores of Vistula.

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Name	Mieclaw
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Date of death	1047
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