Mieszko's son and successor Boleslaw I (r. 992-1025), known as the Brave, builds on his father's achievements and becomes the most successful Polish monarch of the early medieval era.

Boleslaw continues the policy of appeasing the Germans while taking advantage of their political situation to gain territory wherever possible.

Frustrated in his efforts to form an equal partnership with the Holy Roman Empire, Boleslaw gains some non-Polish territory in a series of wars against his imperial overlord in 1003 and 1004.

The Polish conqueror then turns eastward, extending the boundaries of his realm into present-day Ukraine.

Shortly before his death in 1025, Boleslaw wins international recognition as the first king of a fully sovereign Poland.