The Piast dynasty is a line of Kings and dukes that ruled Poland from its beginnings as an independent state up to 1370. Branches of the Piasts continued to rule allied duchies in Masovia until 1526 and Silesia until 1675.
Piast was the legendary ancestor of these nobles. His name was first mentioned in the Chronicle of the Polish dukes by Gallus Anonymous, written in ca 1113. Although the early dukes and kings considered themselves Piast's descendants, the term "Piast Dynasty" was invented in the 17th century by the historians, working for a number of rulers who governed their duchies in Silesia. The last Piast George William, duke of Brzeg and Legnica, died in 1675.
