Duchy of Siewierz

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For the Russian principality, see Siverian Principality.

Duchy of Siewierz coat of arms

The Duchy of Siewierz was an old Polish duchy with its capital in Siewierz, established around 1341 during the times of fragmentation of Poland. It was one of many Duchies of Silesia. Alongside Duchy of Nysa, it was the only ecclesiastical Duchy in the region (ruled by a bishop of Catholic Church).

Since 15th century, after its acquisition by Zbigniew Cardinal Oleśnicki, it was a property of bishops of Kraków. On many levels this tiny principality was almost a 'country within a country': it had its own laws, treasury and army. It was only in 1790 that the Great Sejm formally incorporated the Duchy into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Temporarily recreated by Napoleon as a gift for his ally, Jean Lannes, after Congress of Vienna the lands became part of Congress Poland. The bishops of Kraków continued to use a title of Prince of Siewierz until the death of Adam Stefan Sapieha in 1951.