On 11 November 1198 Grzymisław gave the Hospitallers the castle of Starogard ('Starigrod', 'the old castle') and its surroundings on the Wierzyca, where the merchants' road crosses the river; de.wikipedia reports the gift as allegedly first made some 24 years earlier.
The brothers' castle stood on the left bank of the Wierzyca, where the church of St John later stood. Whether brothers were living there by 1 January 1200 is not pinned. The house keeps Starogard until the Teutonic Order takes Pomerelia (1305-1309).
Who he is
- Name
- The Hospitallers; no brother or preceptor is named at Starogard for 1200
- Title
- the brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem
- Since
- 11 November 1198 (Grzymisław's charter)
- Born
- not applicable
- Family
- The order's houses nearest are Poznań (1187, Mieszko III; see wlk) and Zagość in Lesser Poland; the Ratibor line endows them at Sławno on 23 April 1200.
- Confidence
- medium
de.wikipedia and en.wikipedia (Starogard Gdański).
Overlord
Grzymisław as donor; the order's own superiors. Exempt in church matters from the bishop of Kujawy in the usual way of the order (not checked for this house).
What it holds
- Starogard castle and its surroundings on the Wierzyca, with the church of St John (later)
- The crossing of the merchants' road over the Wierzyca
How it was acquired
Grzymisław's grant, charter of 11 November 1198.
Allies and rivals
Grzymisław (donor); the princes of Pomerelia; the bishop of Kujawy.
How things stand that morning
Holds Starogard by a grant only fourteen months old; the house's state that winter is not pinned.
Wealth
The castle's lands and the river crossing on the merchants' road.
Military
The castle of Starogard; no garrison numbers.
Threats
- Prussian raids
- A new prince disputing Grzymisław's grant
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.
- 23 April 1200 (next door)The order gains villages at Sławno from the Ratibor line (Pomerania map).Depends on: the donors Stopped by: war or death
Places of note
- Starogard castle: The Hospitallers' castle on the left bank of the Wierzyca.
Where the sources disagree
- Perlbach (1882) marks a Grimislaus document as false; the grant is accepted in modern accounts of Starogard.
Evidence: One charter and the later history of the house.
On the map: The extent of the 1198 grant is not known.
Primary sources for Pomerelia
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
- Pomeranian charter book, volume 1, 786 to 1253 (documents of 786 to 1253, edited 1868). All known charters for Pomerania and Rügen to 1253. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.