The western frontier of Greater Poland toward the Lubusz land (Silesian in 1200) and the Głogów country of Silesia runs through the marshes and lakes of the Obra.
Międzyrzecz, named by Thietmar in 1005 and by Gallus, is the chief castle, at the meeting of the Obra and the Paklica; Zbąszyń and Przemęt hold the Obra crossings further south, and Wschowa, named in the bull of 1136, is a border fortress facing Głogów. Przemęt lies in Odon's land south of the Obra and so answers to Władysław Spindleshanks.
Who he is
- Name
- Not named in any charter of 1199-1200 we could reach (not pinned)
- Title
- Castellans of the western march castles on the Obra
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not known
- Family
- not known
- Confidence
- low
No name given: the brief forbids naming castellans without a charter.
Overlord
Duke Mieszko III (or his son Władysław in the southern share)
What it holds
- Międzyrzecz (castellany)
- Zbąszyń
- Przemęt (in Odon's land)
- Wschowa (border fortress; Greater Polish until the 1290s, when it passes to Głogów)
- The Obra crossings and the roads to Lubusz, Krosno and Głogów
How it was acquired
Castellanies are ducal offices: the duke appoints and removes the castellan.
Allies and rivals
The castellan answers to the duke; his knights and the castle folk owe him service.
How things stand that morning
Held for the dukes by castellans not named for 1199-1200. Peace with Silesia that winter.
Wealth
The ducal dues of the district's villages, the market and the toll at the castle.
Military
The castle's garrison and the knights of the district.
Places of note
- Międzyrzecz: Chief castle of the western march.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Międzyrzecz and Wschowa are early attested; Zbąszyń and Przemęt as castellanies are attested by the early 13th century; holders not named. Wschowa's position in 1200 rests on the general statement that it was Greater Polish before the 1290s.
On the map: Castle districts are drawn as the castle and its nearest neighbours; their real extent in 1200 is not recorded.
Primary sources for Greater Poland
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
- Duchy of Greater Poland, en.wikipedia
- Mieszko III the Old, en.wikipedia
- Międzyrzecz, en.wikipedia
- Wschowa, en.wikipedia
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.