Town · Duchy of Silesia · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Ryczyn

An old castellany stronghold on the Oder above Oława, whose role passes to Oława and Brzeg in the 13th century.

Who holds it

Name
Duke Bolesław, through his castellan
Title
Lord
Confidence
medium

Lord in 1200

Duke Bolesław, through his castellan

How things stand that morning

Held by Bolesław.

Charter

No town charter and no German town law in 1200: a ducal castle (gród) with a market settlement (suburbium) under the castellan's court and Polish law.

Council

None. The castellan or the duke's officers judge and collect dues.

Communities

Polish castle folk, craftsmen and traders; no foreign community pinned for 1200.

Militia

None as a town; the castle folk and the knights of the district.

Walls and castle

Stronghold; no town.

Trade and crafts

Oder crossing.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Coordinates approximate; the stronghold's importance in 1200 is inferred from its castellany status in 12th-century lists.

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.

Sources and studies

  1. Bolesław I the Tall, en.wikipedia

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.