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'Bolesław V the Chaste' or 'the Shy' (Polish: ''Bolesław Wstydliwy'') (21 June 1226 O.S. – 7 December 1279 O.S.) was the son of Leszek the White. Several years after the death of Henry the Pious at the battle of Legnica (1241), he became prince in Cracow, and thus the predominant prince in fragmented Poland.

He married Cunegunda (Kinga), daughter of Hungarian King Béla IV. According to medieval chronicles, the marriage was never consummated. Kinga, being extremely pious, was averse to fulfilling her marital duties. At first Bolesław tried to change her mind, but she demurred and he reluctantly accepted the situation. His religious convictions forbade him to take a mistress. Hence the epithet, "the Chaste" or "the Shy."
During his reign the city of Cracow, which had been destroyed in 1241 by the Tartars, was rebuilt, and mainly settled by German immigrants. The new city was built on a regular grid pattern (the "location" of 1257). During his rule there was a second Tartar raid against Poland in 1259, were Sandomierz, Cracow and other cities was plundered by the invading forces led by Nogai Khan.

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See also

★ History of Poland (966-1385)