Duchy of Sieradz

Duchy of Sieradz
Księstwo sieradzkie (pl)
Province of Poland Fiefdom of the Polish Crown (from 1306)
1231–1339
Coat of arms
Poland 1275-1300, Sieradz marked in violet
Capital		Sieradz
Religion		Roman Catholic
Government		Duchy
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Established	1231
•	Ruled by Bohemia	1299
•	Vassalized by the    Polish Crown	1305
•	Incorporated by    Poland	1339
Preceded by Succeeded by Seniorate Province Sieradz Voivodeship (1339–1793)

The Duchy of Sieradz (Latin: ducatus Siradiae, Polish: Księstwo Sieradzkie) was one of the territories created during the period of the fragmentation of Poland. It was originally part of the central Seniorate Province, but became separated upon the death of High Duke Władysław III Spindleshanks in 1231, ruled by the rivaling Masovian branch of the Piast dynasty.

In 1299 Duke Władysław I the Elbow-high had to cede Sieradz to King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, who had also obtained the Seniorate Duchy of Kraków in 1291. Nevertheless upon the extinction of the Bohemian Přemyslid dynasty in 1306, it was reunited with the Kingdom of Poland as a vassal duchy, and after 1339 incorporated by King Casimir III the Great into the Lands of the Polish Crown as Sieradz Voivodship. Around that time, the term Sieradz Land (terra Siradiensi, ziemia sieradzka) begun replacing the older Duchy nomenclature.

The importance of the territory is reflected in the Latin title of Polish kings: nec non terrarum Cracovie, Sandomirrie, Lancicie, Cuyavie, Syradziensis dux.

Dukes of Sieradz

• 1231–1233 Konrad I of Masovia
• 1233–1234 Boleslaus I of Masovia, son
  • 1234–1247 Konrad I of Masovia, again
  • 1247–1259 Casimir I of Kuyavia, son, younger brother of Boleslaus
  • 1259–1260 Siemowit I of Masovia, younger brother of Casimir
  • 1260–1261 Casimir I of Kuyavia, again
• 1261–1288 Leszek II the Black, son of Casimir, also Duke of Kraków from 1279
  • 1288–1299 Władysław I the Elbow-high, younger half-brother, Duke of Kraków from 1306, King of Poland from 1320
• 1299–1305 King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, Duke of Kraków from 1291, King of Poland from 1300
• 1305–1306 King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, also King of Poland
  • 1306–1327 Władysław I the Elbow-high, again, also Duke of Kraków from 1306, King of Poland from 1320
• 1327–1339 Przemysł of Inowrocław, son of Duke Ziemomysł of Kuyavia