Kings as ‘Queens’—Textual and Visual Homophobic Fabrications of Two Polish Kings: The Curious Cases of Bolesław the Generous and Henry I of Poland

Abstract

Polish historiography concerned with the lives of kings and queens has––as yet–– not been subjected to a major revaluation and re-interpretation from the point of view of gay and lesbian or queer studies. This is despite the fact that at least eight rulers in the course of Polish history have had their supposed heteronormativity contested. Given Polish historians’ general reluctance to address the issue of the rulers’ sexuality and––if indeed addressed––the homophobic entanglements that characterise the historical discourse, two cases appear to be particularly valid and illuminating: Boleslaw II the Generous (1042-1081) and Henry III of France (1551-1589)––known in Poland as Henry I. For centuries, the two rulers have been–– more than any other Polish king or queen––subjected to defamatory criticism. The issue of their sexuality has been deliberately used as a major instrument in creating their “black legend.” It is their sexuality––regardless of the “real” psycho-sexual identity of the two kings––that has played a major role in creating a homophobic fabrication of their image as evil and immoral rulers, the former being presented as the Sodomite “Murderer” King, the latter as the Sodomite “Traitor” King. This article investigates a history of textual and visual homophobic representations of both rulers, scrutinising not only traditional historical documents (such as chronicles and annals), but also a variety of literary sources from the period (poetry and lampoons) and images (prints, drawings, and murals). Special attention will be paid to the rulers’ conceptualisation as the antithesis of the “good king” trope, as well as to some contemporary attempts at re-claiming and re-writing traditional history within the framework of queer studies.