The Foundation of the Town of Warka at the Background Political and Institutional Processes of Mazovia in 14th Century

Abstract

The political and economic changes that took place from the 13th to the end of 15th century influenced the development of settlement and town foundations in Mazovia. The foundation of the town of Warka must have taken place before 1375, since the municipal authorities are mentioned under this year. Many previous researchers (e.g., Stanisław Pazyra) connected the location of Warka’s town to a document issued by the Mazovian Prince Trojden I (c. 1285–1341) in 1321, in which the Prince approved the donations made to the Dominican monastery in Warka. In this document Warka appears as an „oppidum”. Although the year 1321 was an important one for Warka – today we would rather have to say that it marked the beginning of the development of the town, important for Mazovia, both in the Middle Ages and later centuries. Following the processes of location, the formation of the municipal government, the economic life of the town, the formation of a separate judiciary, religious foundations- these are the issues that are before us and need to be carefully studied.