Lech (also called Lechus, Lachus, Lestus or Leszek) is the legendary father of all Poles (historically the Lechites), founder of Poland (historical name: Lechia) and its historical capital: Gniezno.

Legend of Lech, Czech and Rus

According to legend, three brothers named Lech, Czech and Rus were exploring the wilderness to find a place to settle. They came across a hill with an old oak and an eagle on top. Lech took the white eagle as his emblem and around the oak he built a stronghold, and because of the eagle nest, called in Polish a gniazdo, he called the stronghold Gniezdno, which in modern Polish is spelled Gniezno. The other brothers went further on to find a place for their people. Czech went to the South to create the Land of Czechs, and Rus went to the East to create Rus'.