Pogesania runs from the Nogat, Lake Drużno and the Elbląg river east to the Pasłęka (Passarge), and from the Vistula Lagoon south to the lakes round Morąg.
The dead emporium of Truso lay on its western edge by Lake Drużno until about 1000. Its people raid Masovia with the Pomesanians (en.wikipedia). In 1200 it is a free pagan land; the Teutonic Order founds Elbląg near Truso's site in 1237.
Who holds it
- Name
- None named for 1200
- Title
- the nobles and elders of the land, with the assembly of its free men
- Since
- not applicable
- Born
- not applicable
- Family
- Kin-groups of nobles; no ruling family is known.
- Confidence
- low
en.wikipedia (Old Prussians and the land's article); Peter of Dusburg as reported there.
Overlord
None. Polish dukes claim tribute from the nearer lands when they can enforce it (Casimir II, 1191-1194); no tribute is being paid that winter.
What it holds
- Farms and hillforts round Pasłęk, Młynary, Morąg and the lagoon shore
How things stand that morning
Free and pagan. West across the Nogat, the Pomerelian delta (claimed by Sambor's house).
Wealth
Farming, fishing in the lagoon and Lake Drużno; plunder from raids.
Military
Free levies; hillforts. No numbers.
Threats
- Later, the Teutonic Order (Elbląg, 1237)
Law and courts
No written law. Each land's free men meet in assembly under their nobles, who lead in war and judge disputes by custom; blood feud and compensation settle killings. The Treaty of Christburg (1249) shows nobles, free men and unfree servants, bride purchase, polygamy, funeral priests and the burning of the dead with horses, servants and arms.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
In 1200
- During 1200 (nothing dated)No event in this land is recorded for 1200.
Later, on the likely course
- 1237 (after this year)The Order and Lübeck merchants found Elbląg near the site of Truso.Depends on: the conquest of Pomesania
Places of note
- Truso (site): The Viking-age emporium, abandoned about 1000 (see Truso (site)).
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: No written source of 1200 describes this land; its bounds and strongholds come from the 13th-century conquest (Peter of Dusburg) and archaeology.
On the map: The bounds are a reconstruction from 13th-century evidence and modern maps; in 1200 lands were separated by forest, not lines.
Primary sources for The Prussians
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
- Wikipedia: Old Prussians
- Wikipedia: Truso
- Wikipedia: Pomesania
- Peter of Dusburg, Chronicon terrae Prussiae (1326), as summarised in Wikipedia: Peter of Dusburg
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.