# Dagome iudex places Poland under papal protection (991)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/991-dagome-iudex-places-poland-under-papal-protection
Location: Rome

In a document known as Dagome iudex, Mieszko and Oda placed their state under the protection of the Holy See, defining its borders for the first time. 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 (991), 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. Dagome iudex places Poland under papal protection mattered because diplomacy defined Poland's relations with its neighbours and the wider world. 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
Dagome iudex places Poland under papal protection mattered because diplomacy defined Poland's relations with its neighbours and the wider world.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Dagome iudex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagome_iudex)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Dagome iudex places Poland under papal protection](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Dagome+iudex+places+Poland+under+papal+protection)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during the Piast dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_the_Piast_dynasty)