A castle has stood here since the 8th to 12th centuries.
Grzymisław's charter of 11 November 1198, the first record of the place ('Starigrod', 'old castle'), gives the castle and its surroundings to the Hospitallers; the brothers' castle stood on the left bank of the Wierzyca where the merchants' road crossed the river and the church of St John later stood. The Teutonic Order founds the town of Preussisch Stargard south of the castle after 1309.
Who holds it
- Name
- the Hospitallers
- Title
- the Knights of St John (see Hospitallers of Starogard)
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not applicable
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
The Knights of St John, by Grzymisław's grant of 11 November 1198
How things stand that morning
A castle of the Hospitallers by a grant made fourteen months before; no town.
Charter
None: no town law. In 1200 no place in Pomerelia has German or any other town law.
Communities
Pomeranian villagers; the brothers of St John (number not pinned).
Militia
The lord's men and the district levy.
Walls and castle
The old castle on the left bank of the Wierzyca.
Trade and crafts
The merchants' road crossing of the Wierzyca.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: One charter (1198) and later history.
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
- Wikipedia (de): Starogard Gdański
- Wikipedia: Starogard Gdański
- Pommerellisches Urkundenbuch, ed. M. Perlbach (Danzig 1882), nos. 1-2 and the seal index (Internet Archive)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.