# Martyrdom of St Adalbert (997)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/997-martyrdom-of-st-adalbert
Location: Prussia

Bishop Adalbert of Prague, sent by Bolesław to convert the Prussians, was killed; Bolesław ransomed his body and enshrined it in Gniezno. 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 (23 April 997), the governing authority was Bolesław I the Brave (Duke, later King of Poland). Expanded the Piast realm, secured an independent archbishopric at Gniezno in 1000 and was crowned the first King of Poland in 1025. Martyrdom of St Adalbert 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 St Adalbert mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe.

Ruler at the time: [Bolesław I the Brave](https://poland-history.com/rulers/boleslaw-i-the-brave)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Adalbert of Prague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalbert_of_Prague)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Martyrdom of St Adalbert](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Martyrdom+of+St+Adalbert)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during the Piast dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_the_Piast_dynasty)