The brave war bands of the first Piasts vanished into the mists of history. The traditions of Polish arms and the bravery of the Polish defenders of Silesia passed into the unknown. Silesian knighthood increasingly lost its Polish character. Only the forest-dwelling people scattered among the forest settlements located between the Bóbr and the Lusatian Neisse remained. They preserved the language and faith of their forefathers until the 17th century.
At the Battle of Grunwald, Silesian knights fought in the Czech banner, while the Germanized magnates of Silesia supported the Teutonic forces. In 1438, we once again see Polish knights in Silesia among the forces of King Kazimierz Jagiellończyk, who set out on an expedition to Prague.
After that, the clash of Polish arms fell silent for four centuries. While Polish knights, and later soldiers, won victorious laurels in many wars, the lands along the Bóbr were trampled by foreign armies. The Germanized sons of our land had to serve in foreign armies, sometimes fighting against the armies of their former comrades-in-arms. Silesians fighting in the armies of foreign states often deserted. Groups of Silesian soldiers—deserters—can be found among the armies of Kings Stefan Batory, Władysław IV and Jan III.
During the Thirty Years’ War, which also brought great destruction to the lands along the Bóbr, German and Czech armies passed through these areas, supported by Russian and Swedish troops. Poles were among them as well—the Lisowczycy, brave soldiers, brawlers and often looters. They were mercenaries in foreign service. They fought in Silesia in 1631–32. They also fought in the service of the Polish king at Cecora and Chocim.
In conclusion, we must say that we know so little about the first stronghold in Bolesławiec, dating from the 10th–13th centuries. This valuable archaeological monument is deteriorating. Shovels extracting sand for the needs of this district are digging it up. Paths run through it. Several years ago, the conservation authorities decided to reconstruct the Bolesławiec fortified settlement, together with its buildings, and protect it as an archaeological reserve. Only a granite boulder with the inscription “castellan stronghold, 12th–14th century” was placed at the foot of the castle hill—which is incorrect. The dating of the stronghold was shifted by one or two centuries. Nothing else was done. Yet it might seem that a caring attitude toward preserving the historical heritage of the early Piast era in this case is of great educational importance.
In the next installment, I will write about the battles of Polish soldiers near Bolesławiec in 1813, under the banners of the great emperor of the French. The title of the installment: “Bonaparte Set Us an Example...”