The bishops of Kraków hold the largest church estates in Lesser Poland.
Kielce in the Świętokrzyskie hills has been theirs since the early 12th century, and Bishop Gedko built its stone church in 1171. Iłża to the north-east, an old stronghold, belonged to them by the 12th century. These are lordships over villages and their people rather than counties, and the duke still claims dues and service from them.
Who holds it
- Name
- Pełka (Fulko)
- Title
- Bishop of Kraków
- Since
- 1186
- Confidence
- medium
One of the guardians of the young Leszek the White, with the dowager duchess Helen and the voivode Mikołaj, since Casimir II died in 1194 (campaign notes). Their party fought Mieszko III the Old at Mozgawa in 1195; Mieszko held Kraków for a time in 1198-99, and how matters stand on 1 January 1200 is not pinned. Pełka (Fulko) dies before 28 March 1208, when Wincenty Kadłubek is appointed in his place; standard lists give 1207.
What it holds
- Kielce: the bishop's manor, church and surrounding estate
- Iłża: stronghold and estate, the bishops' since the 12th century
- Villages, tithes and town property in Kraków (not drawn)
- Not pinned for 1200: Sławków and its lead and silver workings, which were the bishops' by the 13th century
How it was acquired
Ducal grants of the early 12th century (Kielce) and the 12th century (Iłża); the documents were not checked here.
How things stand that morning
Held. The bishop is one of the leaders of Leszek's party in Kraków.
Wealth
Land rents and forest. The hills round Kielce hold iron and lead, but workings on the bishop's land in 1200 are not pinned.
Threats
- The war for Kraków between Mieszko III and Leszek's guardians
- Ducal dues and services on church land
Advocates and rivals
The duke at Kraków and his castellans; Mieszko III the Old, who claims Kraków as senior duke.
Places of note
- Kielce church: Stone church built by Bishop Gedko in 1171
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The campaign notes rank Poland as thin. The holdings rest on Wikipedia's town articles (Kielce early 12th century, Iłża 12th century); Pełka's regency is from the campaign notes.
On the map: Modern Kielce and the Iłża commune stand in for estates of unknown 1200 bounds.
Primary sources for Sandomierz (Leszek the White)
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of the Poles, by Master Vincent (Wincenty Kadłubek), Wincenty Kadłubek (about 1190 to 1208). Book 4 is a contemporary's account of the fight for the senior throne of Kraków. Read online
- The annals of the Kraków chapter and the other Polish annals (kept from the 11th century; the Kraków chapter annals continued to 1266). Short dated entries that fix the chronology Kadłubek blurs: the deaths of dukes and bishops, Mieszko the Old's captures of Kraków, Prussian raids on Masovia, church consecrations. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.