Masovia

Masovia or Mazovia ( _pl. Mazowsze) is a geographic and historic region situated in eastern Poland's Masovian Plain. Its historic capitals include Płock.

History

Early history

Masovia probably became part of Poland by the reign of Mieszko I in the 10th century, the first historically known Piast duke of the Polans in the 10th century. After the death of Mieszko II in 1034, the local governor Miecław supported an anti-Christian rebellion, which was subsequently subdued by Duke Casimir I, Duke of Poland, in 1047 with help from Ruthenian units.

Duchy of Masovia

Following the death of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Poland was divided in duchies, according to his testament (see fragmentation of Poland). After the death of the last Masovian Piast, Janusz III, in 1526, Masovia became a voivodeship of the Kingdom of Poland.

Modern history

Masovia was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the 18th century Partitions of Poland and briefly administered within South Prussia and New East Prussia. Among others the territory became part of the Duchy of Warsaw in 1807 during the Napoleonic Wars, but was included within Congress Poland, a puppet state of the Russian Empire, in 1815.

In 1918 following World War I, Masovia was included within the newly formed Second Polish Republic. During World War II, Nazi-occupied Masovia was divided between the General Government and Regierungsbezirk Zichenau in East Prussia. It was subsequently restored to Poland after the war.

Masovia is entering into the composition of a few regions of Poland, in it to the Masovian Voivodeship.In 1999 the Masovian Voivodeship was created as one of 16 administrative regions of Poland.

See also

* Świdermajer - The characteristic architecture in the area