Duchy of Wieluń was a district principality and a fiefdom within the Kingdom of Poland. It was formed in 1370 from part of the Kingdom of Poland, and existed until 1391 when it was incorporated back into it. The country was located in Wieluń Land with Wieluń as its capital. Its only ruler was Vladislaus II of Opole of Silesian Piast dynasty.

History

The state was formed on 17 November 1370, when

King of Poland Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16t ...

Louis I of Hungary Louis I, also Louis the Great ( hu, Nagy Lajos; hr, Ludovik Veliki; sk, Ľudovít Veľký) or Louis the Hungarian ( pl, Ludwik Węgierski; 5 March 132610 September 1382), was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1342 and King of Poland from 1370 ...

, had given Vladislaus II of Opole territory of Wieluń Land as his own duchy. Vladislaus II was given those lands due to his help to the king in the process of legal succession of the throne of Poland. The state located in Wieluń Land with Wieluń as its capital. Local mint had begun minting new silver coins known as Wieluń denars. In the spring of 1376, Vladislaus II had sent his

knights A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

to join forces lead by Sędziwój Pałuka against Władysław the White in his

rebellion Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

against the Polish king. In 1378, the duchy was enlarged with the incorporation of Bobolice, Brzeźnica, Krzepice and Olsztyn. Around that time, the state was subdivided into

districts A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

of Wieluń, Ostrzeszów, Olsztyn, Krzepice, Brzeźnica and Bolesławiec. Between 13 July and 15 August 1391, while Vladislaus II was in Hungary, forces aligned with Władysław II Jagiełło had besieged Kruszwica Castle and later had taken the stronghold in Racibórz, both of which belonged to Vladislaus. By doing so, they had started the war between two monarchs. In September 1391, Jagiełło's forces had captured lands of Gniewkowo Land and Dobrzyń. On 15 September 1391, Jagiełło's forces had entered Wieluń, beginning the war theatre on the territories of the duchy. In the autumn of 1391, the war had ended with Jagiełło's victory. Following that, Duchy of Wieluń was incorporated into Kingdom of Poland.

Subdivisions

From around 1378, the duchy was subdivided into

of Wieluń, Ostrzeszów, Olsztyn, Krzepice, Brzeźnica and Bolesławiec.

List of rulers

* Vladislaus II of Opole (1370–1391)

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wielun, Duchy Of ! Former countries in Europe Former monarchies of Europe Duchies of Poland History of Poland during the Jagiellonian dynasty History of Greater Poland 14th-century establishments in Poland 14th-century disestablishments in Poland States and territories established in 1370 States and territories disestablished in 1391 Fiefdoms of Poland