Krajna – Slownik Geograficzny Translations

Hello,

Below is my translation of the Słownik Geograficzny Krolestwa Polskiego entry for the Krajna. This is an entry about a specific regional area surrounding Złotowo. Any errors in the translations are completely my own.

Krajna,

In documents as Croja, Kroja, Crayen, Kraine, and Kraina. An area of land in West Prussia and Kreis Poznań, it covers the entire Złotowo Powiat and the northern parts of powiats Bydgoszcz, Wyrzysk, and Chodzież. The shape creates an almost regular square. Krajna has natural boundaries, i.e quite substantial rivers, such as: the Wisła to the east; the Noteć to the south; the Gwde (Kuddow) to the west; and the Dobrynke and Kamionke to the north. The length of this area from East-West is about 14 miła, the north-south width is about 7 miła.

In terms of political and ecclesiastical considerations, Krajna is split into two parts. The southern part, with the cities: Koronowo, Mroczyn, Bydgoszcz, Fordon, Wyrzyska, Łobżenica, Wysoka, Nakło, Miasteczko, Piła, belonging to the Duchy of Poznań. The northern part was attached to West Prussia, with the Krajna cities: Kamień, Sępolno, Więcbork, Złotowo and Krajenka. The political boundaries, with small exceptions, correspond to the ecclesiastical divisions. The northern Prussian part belonged to the Chełmno Diocese and the southern part belonged to the Poznań-Gnieźno Archdiocese. Only the surroundings of the cities of Fordon and Koronowo are joined to the Chełmno Diocese. Historically before the occupation, Krajna as a whole belonged to Poland. So regarding the churches in the cities, they came under the authority of the Archbishopric of Gnieźno. Until 1822, the following cities were formerly of the archdeaconry of Kamień: Kamień, Sępolno, Więcborsk, Złotowo, and Krajenka, and became associated with the Chełmno Diocese.

All these cities are connected by well traveled roads that go through the length and breadth of Krajna. Railways carried people from Piła to Miasteczko, Nakło to Bydgoszcz in the west-east direction. Moreover, in a northerly direction from Piła to Krajenka, Złotowo to Chojnice, and Bydgoszcz to Tczew. There is a proposed railway from Chojnice to Nakło. In addition to the flow of border rivers listed, the most important are: the Brda underneath Koronowo and the Wisła by Bydgoszcz; the Noteć from Łobżenica to Wyrzysk; the Gwda from Krajenka to Glumia; and others. Generally, the soil is fertile and rich, however there are sandy places, swampy, woody, and flat (płaszczysta) areas.

Under the terms of the national population of Krajna, many suffered particularly in the latter times of the occupation. Larger and smaller manors were owned by Germans, probably with some exceptions. Nevertheless, this is a Polish land mark and the people strongly hold onto their land and their native rights.

Krajna was initially part of Eastern Pomerania and were dependents of the Pomeranian Dukes. In addition, in terms of the following story, it was here in Nakło, which was the main Pomeranian stronghold, where the bloody battles between the Polish and Pomeranians played out. It was not until 1121 that this land was acquired by Bolesław III for Poland, at which it was preserved until the divisions in 1772. The Teutonic Knights often tried to seize Krajna. For example, in 1331, they took a part of the land in Kamień and had their commanders there until about 1339. However, soon after the Preace Treaty of Kalisz in 1343, it was taken away again. In 1409, Gamrad von Rintzenau, the commander in Człuchów, came with his armies to Krajna and ravaged the cities and villages. Also, in 1430, the army of the Teutonic Knights ran through Krajna. In 1433, the loose armed men who were attached to the Hussites Division, that were passing through Krajna, plundered in Tuchola (Ob. Schmitt, der Kreis Flatow, str. 16, 24, 31, 33, 35, 45, 47, 50, 75).

“Powiats: Bydgoszcz, Wyrzysk, Czarnków, and Chodzież are the people by Krajna” (Bibl. Warsz. 1864 I, 285. Libelt w Roczn. Tow. Przyj. nauk pozn. VII, 74). The engaging Juliusz Bartoszewicz pontificated about Krajna in “Bibl. Warsz. 1864, I.”, that the so-called South Slavic “Krajna”, in the Miklosicha phrase (Carniola, Karyntya), is not derived from the word “Kraj (country)”. Compare to Ukraina (J. Karł. w Pam. flzyogr. II, 1883; Kod. dypl. pol. II, 288). Krajna is also a narrow strip embankment on the left bank of the lower Drwęca (G. Zieliński, Bibl. Warsz. 1861). See also Czarno. Kś Fr.

Słownik Geograficzny Krolestwa Poliskiego – Warsaw [1895, vol. 04, p.584]. Retrieved from http://www.mimuw.edu.pl/polszczyzna/SGKP/SG04.djvu?djvuopts&page=584

Best Regards,
Al