Gotard of Służew (Polish: Gotard ze Służewa) was a 13th-century knight and count from the Duchy of Masovia, who served under duke Konrad I of Masovia, and later duke Bolesław I of Masovia. He was also castellan of Wizna.[1][2] Gotard begun the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, related to the Radwan heraldic clan. His descendants formed noble families of Służewski, Okęcki, and Rusiecki.[3][4]

The emblem of the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, at the gate of St. Catherine's Church in Warsaw.

Biography

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Gotard was a son of Łuka (or Łukasz).[3] He was a magnate, knight and military leader in the Duchy of Masovia, serving under duke Konrad I of Masovia, and later duke Bolesław I of Masovia. Gotard was also a castellan of Wizna.[1][2] He fought in defensive wars against tribes of Old Prussians and Yotvingians, during which, he took captive seven Yotvingian leaders. They were then exchanged for a massive ransome paid in silver. On 27 April 1245, duke Konrad I awarded him with the land estate of Służew.[5]

 
Gotarda Street in Warsaw, Poland, in 2022.

He began the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, related to the Radwan heraldic clan. His descendants formed noble families of Służewski, Okęcki, and Rusiecki. The Służewski family owned Służew estate until the 17th century.[3][4]

On 24 November 1961, a street in Warsaw, Poland was named after Gotard. It is located in the district of Mokotów, in the neighbourhood of Służewiec.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Marta Piber-Zbieranowska: Służew średniowieczny. Warsaw: Towarzystwo Naukowe Warszawskie, 2001, p. 105. ISBN 8390732858 (in Polish)
  2. ^ a b Kasper Niesiecki: Herbarz polski Kaspra Niesieckiego, vol. 8: R–S. Lipsk, 1841, p. 28. (in Polish)
  3. ^ a b c Elżbieta Kowalczyk-Heyman: Karczma w Ruścu: przyczynek do poznania dziejów późnośredniowiecznych karczem mazowieckich. Warsaw, 2013, p. 272. (in Polish)
  4. ^ a b Marta Piber-Zbieranowska: Służew średniowieczny. Warsaw: Towarzystwo Naukowe Warszawskie, 2001, p. 232–233. ISBN 8390732858 (in Polish)
  5. ^ Marta Piber-Zbieranowska: Służew średniowieczny. Warsaw: Towarzystwo Naukowe Warszawskie, 2001, p. 145–150. ISBN 8390732858 (in Polish)
  6. ^ "Ulica Gotarda". ulicetwojegomiasta.pl (in Polish).