Ciechanów is the chief castle of northern Masovia, on the Łydynia, facing the great forests that separate Masovia from the Prussian lands of Sasinia and Galindia.
Its district with the lesser castles of the north (Raciąż, Szreńsk, Przasnysz, whose state in 1200 is not pinned) is the first to feel any Prussian raid from the north. No castellan is named for 1200, and no raid is recorded for the winter of 1199-1200.
Who he is
- Name
- not named for 1199-1200
- Title
- castellan (kasztelan) for the duke
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
Wikipedia (en): Duchy of Masovia; Wikipedia (en): Old Prussians
Overlord
the duke of Masovia (Konrad, under his mother's regency)
What it holds
- The castle of Ciechanów
- The villages of the district
- The forest edge toward Sasinia and Galindia
How it was acquired
An office held at the duke's pleasure; the castellan keeps the castle, leads its levy, judges and collects the dues of the district.
Allies and rivals
The palatine and the other castellans; the great families of the district.
How things stand that morning
Held for Konrad; castellan not named; no raid recorded that winter.
Wealth
The district's dues in kind and services, the market and toll at the castle, and the duke's share of court fines.
Military
The castle levy of the district under the castellan; no numbers known.
Threats
- Prussian raids from Sasinia and Galindia through the northern forests
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: General knowledge of the castle network; no officer of 1200 found.
On the map: The district is drawn round its castle with the places named; castle districts were rights over the people of a group of villages, and their 1200 edges are not known.
Primary sources for Masovia and Kuyavia
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.