- For the state of Cracow between 1846 and 1918, see Grand Duchy of Cracow. Fore more modern territorial division of Kraków region, see Kraków Voivodeship.
Seniorate Province, also known as the
Senioral Province ,
Duchy of Kraków (
Ksiestwo krakowskie),
Duchy of Cracow,
Principality of Cracow,
Principality of Kraków, was the superior among the five provinces established in 1138 according to the
Testament of Boleslaw III Krzywousty. It existed during the period of
fragmentation of Poland until 1320, centered at
Kraków in
Lesser Poland. The Seniorate Province was supposed to be ruled by the rotating head of the royal
Piast dynasty, a principality that he held as overlord (Senior Prince or High duke,
princeps) of the other Polish dukes.
