# Silesia and Lesser Poland join the Piast state (990)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/990-silesia-and-lesser-poland-join-the-piast-state
Location: Silesia and Lesser Poland

Around 990 Mieszko took Silesia and probably Lesser Poland from Bohemia, creating the territorial core of medieval Poland. 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 (990), the governing authority was Mieszko I (Duke of the Polans). First historically documented ruler of Poland; his baptism in 966 brought the Polans into Latin Christendom. Silesia and Lesser Poland join the Piast state mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. 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
Silesia and Lesser Poland join the Piast state mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Mieszko I](https://poland-history.com/rulers/mieszko-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Mieszko I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mieszko_I)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Silesia and Lesser Poland join the Piast state](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Silesia+and+Lesser+Poland+join+the+Piast+state)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during the Piast dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_the_Piast_dynasty)