Sieciech

Sieciech (born: A.D XI century - died after A.D 1100) Medieval Polish statesman.

Biography

All information about Palatine Sieciech has come down from the chronicler Gallus Anonymus. It is known that Sieciech was a Polish magnate of the Topór coat-of-arms, from the Starżów-Toporczyków family. He was count palatine at the court of duke Władysław I Herman of Poland. Though the exact dates of his birth and death are unknown, he is confirmed by Gallus Anonymus to have lived in the 2nd half of the 11th century CE. During his time as Palatine, Sieciech was the "de Facto" ruler of Poland. He wielded such extensive authority throughout the realm that he even minted his own coin. According to sources Sieciech ruled quite heavy handedly. His despotic conduct resulted in a number of nobles (especially those from Silesia) being forced to leave the country. Sieciech is credited with ordering the poisoning of Boleslaw II son, Mieszko. He is also thought to have attempted to rid himself of the two sons of Władysław I Herman in attempt to gain the throne. Sieciech is known to have founded the Romanesque Saint Andrews church in Cracow. Due to his authoritarian rule Sieciech made a large number of enemies among the Polish nobility. The disgruntled nobles sought to limit his influence by proposing that the country should be divided between Władysław I Herman and his sons Zbigniew and Boleslaw III Wrymouth. His influence began to wane when the sons of Władysław I Herman demanded to be granted their own districts. They also demanded that Sieciech be removed from positions of influence. Their wishes were granted when in circa 1100 CE Sieciech was stripped of his land and titles by Wladyslaw I Herman and banished from the country. According to Gallus Anonymus Sieciech managed to return to Poland before his death ["Lech Bielski,Mariusz Traba" - Poczet Krolow i Ksiazat PolskichPark sp.z. o.o, Bielsko-Biala (2005)] ["Gallus Anonymus" - Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum (c.1115)] [Antoni Czubinski, Jerzy Topolski - "History of Poland" Ossolineum (1988)]

References