Świecie is a princely castle by the end of the 12th century, near where the Wda (Schwarzwasser) joins the Vistula, facing Chełmno across the river.
It is the seat of Grzymisław; a church of St Mary is consecrated here in 1198. In the 13th century it is the second centre of Pomerelia after Gdańsk: Mestwin's son Warcisław rules from it (1220s), then Świętopełk II.
Who holds it
- Name
- Grzymisław (his seat)
- Title
- lord of the place
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not applicable
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
Grzymisław (his seat)
How things stand that morning
Grzymisław's castle and seat, with a settlement and the new church of St Mary.
Charter
None: no town law. In 1200 no place in Pomerelia has German or any other town law.
Communities
Pomeranian villagers and the castle household.
Militia
The lord's men and the district levy.
Walls and castle
A princely castle (earth and timber) on the bluff over the Wda mouth.
Trade and crafts
Vistula crossing toward Chełmno; river trade; fishing.
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.
- Not pinnedPasses to the house of Sobiesław after Grzymisław.Depends on: Grzymisław's death Stopped by: an heir or a Polish seizure
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: de.wikipedia and en.wikipedia give only the 1198 consecration and Grzymisław's seat.
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.