# Martyrdom of Bishop Stanislaus (1079)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1079-martyrdom-of-bishop-stanislaus
Location: Kraków
Categories: main-event

Bishop Stanislaus of Kraków was killed on the king's orders; the ensuing rebellion drove Bolesław II into exile, and Stanislaus later became Poland's patron saint. Within the broader Piast Monarchy period: Under Mieszko I and his successors the Piast state accepted Christianity, gained its own church province and royal crown, and fought to hold its place between the Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia and Kievan Rus'. At this point in the timeline (11 April 1079), the governing authority was Władysław I Herman (Duke of Poland). A weak ruler dominated by the palatine Sieciech; his reign ended with the division of the country between his sons. Martyrdom of Bishop Stanislaus mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Martyrdom of Bishop Stanislaus mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe.

Ruler at the time: [Władysław I Herman](https://poland-history.com/rulers/wladyslaw-i-herman)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Stanislaus of Szczepanów](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislaus_of_Szczepan%C3%B3w)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Martyrdom of Bishop Stanislaus](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Martyrdom+of+Bishop+Stanislaus)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during the Piast dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_the_Piast_dynasty)