Bolesław II the Bald

Bolesław II Rogatka
Duke Bolesław and Sophia, 19th century portrait by Jan Matejko
High Duke of Poland
Reign	1241
Predecessor	Henry II the Pious
Successor	Konrad I of Masovia
Duke of Silesia
Reign	1241–1248
Predecessor	Henry II the Pious
Successor	Henry III the White
Duke of Legnica
Reign	1248–1278
Predecessor	none
Successor	Henry V
Born	c. 1220-1225
Died	26/31 December 1278
Spouse	Hedwig of Anhalt Euphemia of Pomerania Sophia of Dyhrn
House	Silesian Piasts
Father	Henry II the Pious
Mother	Anna of Bohemia

Bolesław II Rogatka or Bolesław II the Horned (Polish: Bolesław II Rogatka, known also as Bolesław II the Bald, Polish: Bolesław II Łysy; c. 1220/5 – 26/31 December 1278), a member of the Silesian Piasts, was High Duke of Poland briefly in 1241 and Duke of Silesia at Wrocław from 1241 until 1248, when the duchy was divided between him and his brothers. After the partition, he ruled the Silesian Duchy of Legnica until his death. The second Mongol raid against Poland, led by Nogai Khan, occurred during his reign.

Bolesław was the eldest son of the Polish high duke Henry II the Pious by his wife Anna, a daughter of the Přemyslid king Ottokar I of Bohemia. His paternal grandparents were Henry the Bearded and (later Saint) Hedwig of Silesia. Among his younger siblings were Mieszko (died 1242), Henry III the White (d. 1266), Konrad II (d. 1274), Władysław, and Elisabeth, who married her Piast cousin Duke Przemysł I of Greater Poland.

Bolesław succeeded as Duke of Silesia after his father, Henry II the Pious, was killed in the Battle of Legnica on 9 April 1241, fighting against the Mongol invaders led by Batu Khan. At the time, he and his immediate younger brother Mieszko were the only heirs who had reached majority. Their mother Anna helped them during the transition; some sources even call this period a regency. The Mongol forces conquered most of Silesia, but then withdrew to Hungary.