Duchy of Sandomierz

The Duchy of Sandomierz (Latin: Ducatus Sandomirensis, Polish: Księstwo sandomierskie) was one of the territories created during the period of the fragmentation of Poland (early 12th century). It was originally part of the central Seniorate Province, inherited by Duke Henry of Sandomierz (see Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty). The Duchy was located in southeastern corner of the Kingdom of Poland, between the rivers of Pilica, Vistula, San, and Dunajec. Since late Middle Ages, it became part of historic province of Lesser Poland, together with adjacent Duchy of Kraków. In the early 14th century, the Duchy was turned into Sandomierz Voivodeship. Its main urban centers were historic towns of Sandomierz and Wislica. Other main towns were Lublin, Radom, Chęciny, Pilzno, Łuków and Stężyca.

The period of fragmentation of Poland began in 1138, after the Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty. According to the testament, Duke Henry of Sandomierz was granted the Land of Sandomierz. Since the duke was too young, the newly created province was temporarily ruled by High Duke Władysław II the Exile. In 1146, after another conflict with the junior dukes, Wladyslaw II was forced to flee abroad, and the Duchy of Sandomierz was transferred to Henry.

Henry died in 1166, killed by the Old Prussians. Since he was childless and had no wife, part of his province, with Wislica, was inherited by his youngest brother, Casimir II the Just, while Sandomierz was seized by Bolesław IV the Curly. The province remained divided until 1173, when Casimir II the Just reunited it. Casimir II died in 1194, and the Duchy of Sandomierz was inherited by Leszek I the White, and his younger brother, Konrad I of Masovia. In ca. 1200 the brothers divided their properties, with Konrad receiving Mazovia and Kujawy, while Leszek remained in Sandomierz. In 1205, the two brothers united their forces, defeating Roman the Great in the Battle of Zawichost.

In the 13th century, the Duchy of Sandomierz was several times raided by the Mongol hordes (see, e.g., Sack of Sandomierz (1241) and Sack of Sandomierz (1260)). In the late 1280s, Duke Władysław I the Elbow-high took control over Sandomierz, but in 1292, he was forced by Wenceslaus II of Bohemia to abandon the province. In 1304, Lokietek returned, capturing Wislica, and after the death of Wenceslaus (1305), he seized whole province. During the reign of Lokietek, the Duchy of Sandomierz was turned into Sandomierz Voivodeship.

The Duchy of Sandomierz had twelve castellanies, located in the following towns: Łuków, Lublin, Sieciechów, Radom, Skrzynno, Żarnów, Małogoszcz, Czchów, Wislica, Połaniec, Zawichost and Sandomierz.