# Legend of Popiel and the mice (850)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/850-legend-of-popiel-and-the-mice
Location: Kruszwica

Chronicles tell of Popiel, a cruel ruler of Kruszwica deposed in favour of the Piasts; later legend claims he was eaten by mice in his tower. Within the broader Slavic Tribes period: Slavic tribes settled the region from the sixth century, building fortified gords and tribal territories. Legends of Lech, Krakus and Piast preserve memories of this age, which ended with the rise of the Polans around Gniezno. At this point in the timeline (850), the governing authority was Popiel (Legendary prince of the Goplans). Legendary tyrant of Kruszwica who, according to the chronicle of Gallus Anonymus, was deposed and, in later legend, devoured by mice. This ruler is known only from legend or from a later chronicle tradition, so the dating is approximate. Legend of Popiel and the mice mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders. 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
Legend of Popiel and the mice mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders.

Ruler at the time: [Popiel](https://poland-history.com/rulers/popiel)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Popiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popiel)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Legend of Popiel and the mice](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Legend+of+Popiel+and+the+mice)
- [Wikipedia — Polish tribes (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_tribes)