Ryczyn (Recen) is an old castle district on the Oder above Oława, with the country of the later Oława and Brzeg; in the 13th century its role passes to Oława and Brzeg.
It borders the duchy of Opole along the Stobrawa and the Nysa Kłodzka.
Who he is
- Title
- Castellan of Ryczyn
- Confidence
- low
Castellan (kasztelan, comes castellanus) not named for 1199-1200 in the sources consulted. Silesian castellans appear by name mostly in charters from 1202 onward; no name is carried back to 1 January 1200 here.
Overlord
Bolesław I the Tall, duke of Silesia
What it holds
- The stronghold of Ryczyn on the Oder
- The river country of Oława and Brzeg
- The roads to Opole and Nysa
How it was acquired
Appointed by the duke at his pleasure; the castellan is not a hereditary lord.
How things stand that morning
Held for Bolesław by his castellan (not pinned).
Places of note
- Ryczyn castle: Castellany seat (gród)
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The castle and its district are attested; the castellan's name for 1200 and the exact bounds of the district are not.
On the map: Ryczyn's site is given from approximate coordinates; the district follows the later Oława and Brzeg lands.
Primary sources for Silesia (Bolesław the Tall)
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.