Duchy of Racibórz

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Coat of arms of the Duchy of Racibórz

Duchy of Racibórz (German: Herzogtum Ratibor, Czech: Ratibořské knížectví) was one of the duchies of Silesia. Its capital was Racibórz (Ratibor).

1172-1177. Fragmentation of the Duchy of Silesia begins, divided between: first son of Władysław, Bolesław I the Tall (orange) - Duchy of Wrocław; second son of Władyslaw, Mieszko I Plątonogi (yellow) - Duchy of Racibórz; son of Bolesław, Jarosław Opolski (green) - Duchy of Opole

The Duchy was formed in 1172 as a territory for Mieszko I Tanglefoot. It was centered around the towns of Racibórz, Koźle and Cieszyn. In 1202 Duchy of Opole was merged into it, forming the entity known as the Duchy of Opole and Racibórz. In 1290 the Duchy of Racibórz was recreated again, and assigned to Przemysław Raciborski, son of the Władysław Opolski. The Duchy at that time incorporated the lands of Wodzisław, Żory, Rybnik, Mikołów and Pszczyna (some of the territory of the Duchy of Opole and Racibórz was used for Duchy of Cieszyn and Duchy of Bytom). Soon afterwards the Duchy have fallen into the Bohemian spehere of influence. From 1336 to 1337 the Duchy was merged with Duchy of Opava (Troppau), forming the Duchy of Opava and Racibórz. The Duchy would suffer several territorial changes until in 1511 it was merged with the Duchy of Opole again. As a Duchy of Opole and Racibórz it would fall to House of Hohenzollern, then House of Habsburg, briefly to the Polish House of Vasa and finally it would be annexed and incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia (18th century).