In written sources and legends about the beginnings of our town on the Bóbr, the figure of the Duke of Bolesławiec, known as the Tall or the Handsome, appears repeatedly. The forefather of the Silesian Piasts was the grandson of Bolesław the Wrymouth; he was born in 1127.
Fate decreed that he would suffer the consequences of his father Bolesław the Exile’s actions. He was married to the Kievan princess Zwinosława and, after her death, to the German princess Adelajda, the sister of the wife of the German king. In this way, the legendary founder of Bolesławiec became connected to the family of the German king, who invaded our country. He therefore lived in conflict with his brothers and relatives over the right to rule Silesia and hold the seniorate.
In the struggles for these rights, he waged wars against his brothers and relatives, lost, and had to flee Silesia, seeking refuge at the court of the German king. Eventually he returned to Silesia, but never became duke-senior. He ruled Silesia well and wisely, following the examples of the countries of Western Europe, where he often stayed in various capacities and observed methods of administration and economic management. In Italy, he accompanied German forces.
Silesia and Bolesławiec owe him a great deal. He developed gold mining from gold-bearing sands in the Bolesławiec–Lwówek–Złotoryja region. He minted gold and silver bracteates, which met the needs of the entire Silesian district. During his reign, Silesian towns developed. He rebuilt Wrocław and Legnica after their destruction. In Legnica, he built an impressive castle, where he stayed very often. He visited Bolesławiec less frequently. The date of Bolesławiec’s town foundation is unknown; in 1190—that is, during his reign—Bolesławiec already existed, as mentioned in chronicles referring to that year. He is said to have ordered the town to be surrounded by defensive walls that year. There is no agreement as to whether this really concerned defensive walls; they certainly were not made of stone, as those were built several centuries later. Perhaps it concerned strengthening the ramparts around the small castle, today the hillfort on Wałowa Street, or establishing the town in its present location that year, rather than around the fortified settlement with a small castle located in the northern part of the town. He is also credited with building or strengthening the powerful castles at Grodziec and Kliczków. In Silesia, he settled Germans, Walloons, and the first Jews, who were being expelled from Western Europe.
Although he was raised at the German court and absorbed German culture, and Germans were numerous at his court, he considered himself a Polish duke. He began a dynasty of good administrators of Silesia, headed by his son, Duke Henry the Bearded. He died in 1201 at the age of 75. He ruled Silesia for 38 years and was buried in the monastery chapel at Lubiąż on the Oder, where he settled and generously endowed the Cistercians.
He played a positive role in the history of Silesia—today Lower Silesia—although he is remembered negatively in the history of Poland. For it was he who began Silesia’s separation from the other districts of Poland and consolidated German influence. A poem dedicated to this duke was engraved on his tombstone; we quote it here in Polish translation: “No Polish duke was ever his equal in humanity, knowledge, or understanding. In this place, where the devil was once worshipped, he raised a temple to Christ, for which he shall have glory forever.”
And finally, I am tossing a pebble into the garden of Bolesławiec’s “petetek.” On the information board about the history of our town, located to the right of the entrance steps to the Town Hall, Bolesław the Tall is identified as Bolesław Wysocki!!!
The board has stood there for several years. It is passed and read by PTTK activists and employees; city councillors and Municipal Office employees also walk past it, including those responsible for culture and education—and so far, no one has been troubled by this error.