Michelauer Land
Encyclopedia
The Michelauer Land or Michałowo Land is a historical region in central Poland
, currently part of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship. During the Middle Ages
, it was a disputed territory between the Kingdom of Poland
and the Teutonic Knights
.
(Strasburg), which was destroyed well before 1789. At the same place, in 1789, the Strasburgische Kämmereidorf Michelau was situated.
(Drewenz). The land of Michelau and Lubawa
(Löbau) were part of Prussia
n territory in direct vicinity of the Kulmerland.
, who at a time of the fragmentation of Poland had made themselves independent of the Polish rulers
. The small territories of Michelau and Löbau were bouncing back and force in between.
The rulers of Kujavia and Masovia had given lands to the monk and apostle of the Prussians, Christian of Oliva
, He was declared first bishop of Prussia by the pope
and he also bought additional territories. A Prussian chieftain had given bishop Christian his land Löbau, by accepting Christianisation at Rome.
In 1303 the Teutonic Order state received the territory of Michelau as lien and in 1317 they bought it and received all rights from the Duke of Kujavia. Over the next few centuries, as Masovia was reabsorbed into the Kingdom of Poland, the Michelauer land became one of the territories often contested between Poland and the Order.
The area is mentioned in the Treaty of Lake Melno.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, currently part of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship. During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, it was a disputed territory between the Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)
The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state created by the accession of Jogaila , Grand Duke of Lithuania, to the Polish throne in 1386. The Union of Krewo or Krėva Act, united Poland and Lithuania under the rule of a single monarch...
and the Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
.
Name
It was named after Castle Michelau (it is currently part of the city of BrodnicaBrodnica
Brodnica is a town in northern Poland with 27,400 inhabitants . Previously part of Toruń Voivodeship [a province], from 1975 to 1998, Brodnica has been situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999...
(Strasburg), which was destroyed well before 1789. At the same place, in 1789, the Strasburgische Kämmereidorf Michelau was situated.
Geography
From a geographical perspective, it was sometimes also considered part of Kulmerland, although it is east of the river DrwęcaDrweca
The Drwęca is a river in northern Poland and a tributary of the Vistula river near Toruń, forming a part of the city's administrative boundary. It has a length of 207 km and a basin area of 5,344 km², all in Poland.Towns:...
(Drewenz). The land of Michelau and Lubawa
Lubawa
Lubawa is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located in Iława County on the Sandela River, some 18 km southeast of Iława.-History:...
(Löbau) were part of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n territory in direct vicinity of the Kulmerland.
History
Conquered in the 11th century a territory named Masovia developed as borderland between the Prussians and MasoviansMasovians
The Masovians or Mazovians are a Lechitic tribe or an ethnic group associated with the region of Mazovia. They were first referenced by Nestor the Chronicler in the 11th century. Originally, their main settlements were in the area of Płock, Łomża, Wizna, Czersk, Ciechanów, Płońsk, Zakroczym and...
, who at a time of the fragmentation of Poland had made themselves independent of the Polish rulers
Duchy of Masovia
The Duchy of Masovia with its capital at Płock was a medieval duchy formed when the Polish Kingdom of the Piasts fragmented in 1138. It was located in the historic Masovian region of northeastern Poland...
. The small territories of Michelau and Löbau were bouncing back and force in between.
The rulers of Kujavia and Masovia had given lands to the monk and apostle of the Prussians, Christian of Oliva
Christian of Oliva
Christian of Oliva , also Christian of Prussia was the first missionary bishop of Prussia.Christian was born about 1180 in the Duchy of Pomerania, possibly in the area of Chociwel...
, He was declared first bishop of Prussia by the pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and he also bought additional territories. A Prussian chieftain had given bishop Christian his land Löbau, by accepting Christianisation at Rome.
In 1303 the Teutonic Order state received the territory of Michelau as lien and in 1317 they bought it and received all rights from the Duke of Kujavia. Over the next few centuries, as Masovia was reabsorbed into the Kingdom of Poland, the Michelauer land became one of the territories often contested between Poland and the Order.
The area is mentioned in the Treaty of Lake Melno.
External links
- 1500s Map of Old Prussian Land (Altpreussen) with Culmerland, Sassen, Galindia (Michelau and Löbau) Michelauer Land and Lobovia on the Border to Masovia to the south of PrussiaPrussiaPrussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
, before arrival of Teutonic KnightsTeutonic KnightsThe Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
