Originally Posted by KAM 2150 Originally Posted by

Lesser Poland was the main Duchy (Great and Lesser Poland are not indicators of their power and wealth as Lesser Poland was where the capital was located), but during mods starting timeframe, Silesia was the main power until battle of Legnica against Golden Horde in 1241. Greater Poland was the place where Poland "was born" during reign of Mieszko I and where was the first capital of Gniezno.



Overal, entire story for divided Duches starts in 1138, after Prince (Poland lost the title of King from 1079 to 1295(briefly)/1320 (for good)) Bolesław III Wrymouth in his testimony divided Poland into separate Duchies governed by his sons. Each son would get single domain, but the oldest one would have his domain and also the biggest Seniorate domain (Lesser Poland and most important forts all the way to the north, securing his power above younger brothers). After the oldest would die, his younger brother would get the Seniorate domain etc. That was the theory. In real life entire system broke down to series of civil wars that, along with foreign powers helping one or another side. The turmoil ceased during reign of Wladyslaw II the Elbow-high and ended for good during reign of his son, Casimir III the Great.



Pomerania was a bit different case as it was never fully part of Poland in Medieval times, especially the western part, it either tried to be independet or had large autonomy. Pomeranian ruller, Ratibor I pretty much burned down Denmark and Norway in XII century, he also launched one the biggest naval invasions in history up to that date.