Biography

All information about Sieciech has come down from the chronicler Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of Gesta principum Polonorum , composed in Latin about 1115....

. He was a count palatine

Count palatine

Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...

 at the court of duke Władysław I Herman of Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

. Though the exact dates of his birth and death are unknown, he is said by Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of Gesta principum Polonorum , composed in Latin about 1115....

 to have lived in the second half of the 11th century. During his time as count, Sieciech was the de facto ruler of Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

. He wielded such extensive authority throughout the realm that he even minted his own coins. According to Gallus Anonymus Sieciech ruled heavy handedly.

His alleged despotic conduct resulted in a number of nobles (especially those from Silesia

Silesia

Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...

) being forced to leave the country. Sieciech is credited with ordering the poisoning of Boleslaw II's son, Mieszko. He is also thought to have attempted to rid himself of the two sons of Władysław I Herman in attempt to gain the throne. Sieciech is known to have founded the Romanesque Saint Andrews church in Cracow.

Sieciech made a large number of enemies among the Polish nobility. The disgruntled nobles sought to limit his influence by proposing that the country should be divided between Władysław I Herman and his sons Zbigniew

Zbigniew of Poland

Zbigniew , Duke of Poland from 1102 until 1107.-Early years:Zbigniew was the first-born son of Prince Władysław I Herman and Przecława, who apparently belonged to the Prawdzic clan...

 and Boleslaw III Wrymouth

Boleslaw III Wrymouth

Bolesław III Wrymouth was Prince of Poland from 1102 until 1138...

. His influence began to wane when the sons of Władysław I Herman demanded to be granted their own districts. They also demanded that Sieciech be removed from positions of influence.

Their wishes were granted when in 1100 Sieciech was stripped of his land and titles by Wladyslaw I Herman

Wladyslaw I Herman

Władysław I Herman was a Duke of Poland from 1079 until his death.He was the second son of Casimir I the Restorer by his wife Maria Dobroniega, daughter of Vladimir the Great, Grand Duke of Kiev.-Biography:...

 and banished from the country. According to Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of Gesta principum Polonorum , composed in Latin about 1115....

 Sieciech managed to return to Poland before his death.

The town of Sieciechów

Sieciechów, Masovian Voivodeship

Sieciechów is a village in Kozienice County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Sieciechów..-History:...

 (Castrum Sethei), judging by Gallus, was named after Sieciech (Setheus).