European Kingdoms

Duchy of Mazovia in Płock (Poland)
AD 1234 - 1495

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Mieszko Piast became the first documented ruler of a duchy of Poland when he accepted Christianity into the newly created state in AD 966. At this time, the Polish state encompassed territory which was similar to that of modern Poland, but without many of the northern regions which were still tribal. Occasional kings of Poland had to be able to control various, often rebellious, Polish sub-states, early Mazovia included.

Mazovia was an eastern borderland territory which also encompassed western-central parts of Prussia. As one of a series of small states in the region it was probably formed in the ninth or tenth century, contemporaneously with the formation of the Western Polans state on its western flank.

On 28 October 1138, and not for the first time, Poland was divided into several principalities: Great Poland, Mazovia with Kujavia, Silesia, and Sandomierz. Little Poland was reserved for the senior Polish prince who was nominal overlord for all the principalities until 1180.

Further subdivisions occurred in Mazovia throughout the next two centuries which fractured the duchy into several tiny 'statelets' which could be picked off by anyone with an eye to territorial expansion. Konrad I in 1234 subdivided an area of control around Płock for his son, Bolesław I. Bolesław succeeded him to become duke of all Mazovia, but a precedent seems to have been established. Another subdivision took place in 1264 when the duchy of Czersk was established.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information by Krzysiek Popończyk, from The Russian Primary Chronicle (Laurentian Text), Samuel Hazzard Cross & Olgerd P Sherbowitz-Wetzor (Eds and translators, Mediaeval Academy of America), from A History of Poland from its Foundation, M Ross, from Geography, Ptolemy, from The Earliest Icelandic Chronicle of the Norwegian Kings (1030-1157), Theodore Murdock Andersson & Kari Ellen Gade Morkinskinna, from The History of the Baltic Countries, Zigmantas Kiaupa, Ain Mäesalu, Ago Pajur, & Gvido Straube (Eds, Estonia 2008), and from External Link: The Forgotten Kingdom of Lechia (the argument for the mythical 'Kingdom of Lechia').)

1234 - 1248

Son of Konrad I. First duke of Mazovia (in Płock).

1241

The Golden Horde Mongols under Batu Khan and Subedei turn their attention westwards. They invade Halych-Volynia in revenge for its capture of Kyiv, taking the capital and destroying the cathedral in 1241. Then they invade Poland and Hungary.

Within just thirty years, Mongol warriors had travelled as far afield as central China and Eastern Europe, and south-west into Iran, turning the Mongol empire into the largest single controlling force in history

Both are conquered, with European defeats at Liegnitz and the River Sajo. Austria, Dalmatia, and Moravia also fall under Mongol domination, and the tide seems unstoppable. However, the death of Ogedei Khan causes the Mongols to withdraw, with Batu Khan intent on securing his conquests in the lands of the Rus.

1247 - 1248

Konrad I dies in 1247, meaning that Bolesław I succeeds him as full duke of Mazovia. He does retain Płock as the base of his operations however, with his successors doing the same following his death in 1248.

The division of lands under the terms of Konrad's will means that Bolesław inherits most of them. This angers his brother, Kazimierz, in Kuyavia, who prepares to fight for a greater inheritance of his own. Only Bolesław's early death stymies his plans.

Prince Konrad of Mazovia challenged continually for control of Poland, finally achieving his purpose in 1241, and also being responsible for inviting the Teutonic Knights into Prussia

1248 - 1262

Brother. Campaigned heavily against Yotvingians.

1248

Bolesław's will passes all his holdings to a younger brother, Ziemowit, which re-ignites the anger of Kazimierz of Kuyavia. Ziemowit however, grants him secured lands in exchange for peace so that he can concentrate on the threat posed to his borders by the Kievan Rus, Teutonic Knights, and Yotvingians.

1262

With the Yotvingians having gradually been subdued to the point of subservience by Ziemowit and Danylo Romanovych of Halych-Volynia, the young and powerful state of Lithuania now sits on the Mazovian border.

Having already seen his Samogitian allies inflict a heavy defeat on the Livonian Knights and Teutonic Knights, Grand Duke Treniota of Lithuania launches a major surprise attack on Mazovia. Ziemowit is killed during the confusion (or is murdered by Shvarn, his own brother-in-law).

Early Samogitia is shown on this old map, clearly differentiated from Lithuania proper and resting on the shores of Mare Sarmaticum (the Baltic Sea)

1262 - 1264

Widow of Ziemowit and regent.

1262 - 1264

Son. Child duke of Mazovia. Attained majority in 1275.

1264

Having been captured by the same Lithuanian attack which had resulted in the death of his father, Ziemowit, Konrad II is now released. He and his young brother, Bolesław II Płocki, eventually reach an agreement to jointly hold the title of duke of Mazovia, albeit not without hostilities taking place.

Bolesław quickly becomes a major player in Polish and regional politics, and does so from Płock, while Konrad gains Czersk, while remaining childless and therefore without an heir.

1264 - 1313

Gained Płock as co-duke of Mazovia. Full duke in 1294.

1288 - 1289

The death of High Duke Leszek Czarny results in an eruption of further warfare between the Polish duchies as the various Piast houses vie for supremacy. Bolesław II of Płock initially seems to be successful, but then the nobles refuse to recognise him and he is quickly superseded by Henryk Prawy.

Bolesław II Płocki managed to become sole ruler in 1294 over a divided Mazovia, and then founded the stronghold of Warsaw in the early 1300s

1294 - 1310

With the death of the heirless Konrad in Czersk, its territory is managed by Bolesław II. Eventually, and by 1310, Czersk is granted to his son, Trojden. The new territory which comes with the stronghold of Warsaw goes to Trojden's brother, Ziemowit II, who also holds Rawa.

1310

Son. Gained Czersk.

1310

Brother. Gained Rawa & Warsaw.

1313 - 1320

There is a period of uncertainty and division in Poland, during which Mazovia is confirmed as a divided possession between by Bolesław's eldest two sons. Rawa is also confirmed as a brand new subdivision. On 20 January 1320, all of Poland (except for Silesia, Pomerania, and Mazovia) is reunited into the Polish kingdom with the coronation of Wladyslaw. Mazovia remains divided.

1313 - 1336

Brother. Gained Płock only in 1313. Briefly had to fight for it.

1325 - 1326

Waclaw I has played a political balancing game, maintaining good relations with the Teutonic Knights while not antagonising Lithuania. A 1325 attack on Mazovia by Wladyslaw I (IV) Lokietek 'the Short' of Poland results in political Mazovian unity in January 1326. The Polish-Teutonic War of the same year pitches Mazovia and the Teutonic Knights against Wladyslaw I.

Already veteran soldiers from their time in the Holy Land, the Teutonic Knights would have presented a fearsome spectacle to the Prussians - and a deadly opponent

1329

Waclaw I suddenly changes allegiances, angering the Teutonic Knights when he sides with Wladyslaw I of Poland. King John of Bohemia and the Teutonic Knights launch an invasion of Płock, forcing Waclaw into surrender and into becoming a Bohemian vassal.

1336 - 1351

Son. A minor at accession. Killed through treachery.

1340

Having been provided with a regency by his uncles, Trojden of Czersk and Ziemowit II of Rawa and Warsaw, upon attaining his majority, Bolesław III is confirmed as a vassal of Bohemia. However, he does begin to court closer ties with Kasimierz III Wielki 'the Great' of Poland.

1351

As a prisoner of Bolesław III, Grand Duke Kestutis of Samogitia manages to escape in defiance of his own promise to remain cooperative, during which time Bolesław is killed by an arrow.

The childless duke's lands are sub-divided between the other Mazovian possessions and with Poland proper thanks to an agreement with Kasimierz III 'the Great'. Kasimierz gains Płock and Wizna, but grants the duchy of Płock to the newly-submissive brothers, Ziemowit III and Kazimierz I of Czersk.

During the Poland of the post-'Succession Statute', Czersk castle in Mazovia was one of the land's most important ducal residences

1351 - 1381

Brother of Kazimierz of Czersk. Duke of Mazovia.

1370 - 1373/4

Having also held Czersk since the death of his brother in 1355, Ziemowit III manages to unite all of Mazovia by 1370 and the death of Kasimierz 'the Great'. Then in 1373 and/or 1374 he sub-divides it again, between two sons: Ziemowit IV gains Płock and Rawa, while Janusz I gains Czersk.

1381 - 1426

Son. Duke of Rawa (1373-1381). Gained Płock in 1381.

1382 - 1385

Ziemowit 'the Younger' takes the opportunity offered by the death of the Polish king, Louis 'the Great', to launch his own claim for the throne. However, Louis has largely ensured the succession in favour of two of his daughters.

Mary and her husband, Elector Sigismund of Brandenburg (Zygmunt Luksemburski to the Poles), a scion of the house of Luxembourg, accede in Hungary, with Mary becoming the state's first female 'king'.

Elector Sigismund, though, attempts to take control of Poland too, as does the unfortunate Ziemowit 'the Younger' of Mazovia. Sigismund is rebuffed by the nobility. They will only accept a successor who will settle within Poland itself. Elizabeth of Poland nominates another daughter, Jadwiga.

Elector Sigismund of Brandenburg, and king of Hungary, Croatia, and Luxembourg, managed to add Bohemia to that list during an illustrious career, before becoming Holy Roman emperor in 1410

Ziemowit IV attempts to enforce his own claim to the throne, but the nobility encourage Elizabeth of Poland to send Jadwiga so that she can confirm her own claim. Ziemowit has to accept vassal status, losing Mazovia's own independent status. He is forced to lease territories to pay for that, often to the Teutonic Knights, including Belz, Plonsk, Wizna, and Zawkrze.

1426

With Mazovia's stability now rather uncertain, the death of Ziemowit 'the Younger' allows his sons to individually govern their own areas of responsibility while agreeing to share unified responsibility for Mazovia as a whole. The brothers are Trojden II and Wladyslaw I of Płock, Janusz I of Czersk, Ziemowit V of Rawa, and Kazimierz I of Belz.

1426 - 1427

Son. Co-ruled Mazovia with his brothers. Died childless.

1427

The death of the childless Trojden means that his younger brother, Wladyslaw, succeeds him in Płock as Wladyslaw I. In fact, this process is the first step in a fuller reunification of Mazovia.

The medieval city of Belz was originally part of Halicia-Volyn, located fifteen kilometres to the west of Sheptytskyi and seventy kilometres to the north of Lviv, near today's Polish border

1426 - 1455

Son of Ziemowit IV. Duke of a unified Mazovia.

1434

Political divisions have emerged between the various surviving sons of Ziemowit 'the Younger'. Wladyslaw I of Płock has especially diverged from the pro-Polish monarchy view of his brothers.

Now, upon the coronation of King Wladyslaw III (VI), they formally divide Mazovia between them, with Wladyslaw secure in Płock, Wizna, and Zawkrze, Bolesław IV in Czersk, Ziemowit V in Rawa, and Kazimierz I in Belz.

1442

While engaged in supporting - with reluctance - a campaign by Bolesław IV of Czersk and Warsaw against the Lithuanians, Wladyslaw I of Płock is able to gain Rawa and Belz following the deaths of Ziemowit V and Kazimierz I respectively.

Mazovia is now almost fully reunited, aside from Gostynin  which is granted to Margareth of Raciborz, widow of Ziemowit V, for the remainder of her lifetime. After that it is drawn back into Mazovia.

Jagiello of Lithuania, king of Poland, is memorialised in statue form in New York's Central Park, NY, USA (External Link: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International)

1455 - 1481

Widow and regent.

1455 - 1461

Son. Minor at accession. Duke of Płock with Czersk.

1455 - 1461/62

Brother and official co-ruler. Died unexpectedly.

1455 - 1475

Son of Bolesław IV of Czersk. Held Płock. Abdicated.

1459

Margareth of Raciborz formally receives Gostynin as her dowry while the remainder of her late husband's holdings in and around Rawa are fully drawn back into Mazovia under Kazimierz III of Płock and his younger brother, Konrad III 'the Red'.

c.1462

Regent and bishop of unified Płock and of Czersk.

1462

Internally the duchy of Mazovia has been consolidating its territory. Belz had been gained by Płock in 1442. Rawa had similarly been gained in 1459 while its constituent region of Gostynin had gone to Margareth of Raciborz as her dowry for the duration of her lifetime.

Construction of a stone castle for the dukes of Masovia began in Rawa in 1355, probably by Ziemowit III, and originally as a defensive point for the duchy of Czersk

Now Belz, a division of Rawa, and Gostynin are annexed by the Polish crown while Płock, Płońsk, and Zawkrze are taken by Konrad III 'the Red' of the junior Warsaw line. Further Mazovian territories follow over the course of the next half century or so as Kazimierz IV consolidates his hold over the Polish lands.

1471 - 1495

Brother of Kazimierz III. Duke of Płock. Died childless.

1495

The death of the childless Janusz II means that his holdings around Płock should in fact go to his brother, Konrad III 'the Red' of Warsaw, unifier of the remainders of Mazovia. Instead the duchy is annexed by Poland.