Clan Ostoja (Moscics)

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Polish medieval CoA Ostoja

Clan Ostoja (Moscics) is one of the largest and oldest knightly and heraldic families in Europe, belonging to the Polish nobility. The family is sealed with the Ostoja coat of arms.

The coat of arms of the clan and a vocation[edit]

Main article: Ostoja coat of arms

The coat of arms of the Ostoja clan is one of the oldest family marks of medieval Polish knights. It occurs under the names Ostoja, Hostoja, Mościc, Ostojczyk. The name of the clan is Ostoja and Hostoja. This calling was probably an older form of clan identification than the coat of arms.

Ostoja coat of arms, Poland. The version operating from the mid-16th century.

Image of the Ostoja coat of arms[edit]

  • The oldest images from medieval seals: Czcibor, Poznań, dean from 1358, Jakusz from Błociszewo, Lviv voivode from 1370, Dobiesław from Koszyce, Kraków landlord from 1381.,[1] Scibora of Sciborzyce, the Transylvanian voivode from 1389,[2] Bernard of Gronowice, chancellor of prince Władysław Opolczyk from 1394.[3]
  • The oldest images in medieval armorials: the armorial of Bellenville, the armorial of Gelre, the armorial of the Lyncenich, the armorial of Bergshammar, the armorial of the Golden Fleece, the Jewels of Jan Długosz or the chronicle of the Council of Constance.[4]
  • The oldest image of the emblem: a relief from the first half of the 13th century on the entrance portal in the southern wall of the nave of the church of St. Nicholas in Wysocice.[5]
  • The image and structure of the Ostoja coat of arms until the mid-16th century (according to Prof. J. Szymański): Ostoja (Hostoja, Mościc, exclamation: Hostoja, Ostoja)–in the red field, among two golden moons, shoulder-lengths towards each other, as well as a cavalier cross at the forehead . Helmet with labs with black coating, and the lining, probably gold. Gem: between two golden grips, the dragon's head is black, breathing red flame.[6]
  • The image and structure of the Ostoja coat of arms from the second half of the 16th century (according to Prof. J. Szymański): Ostoja–in the red field, among two golden moons, with shoulders towards each other, like a broken sword, a helmet with a crown and labras, probably red with a golden lining. Gem: five ostrich feathers.[7]
Seal of Jakusz from Blociszewo, Ostoja coat of arms
Coat of arms of Ostoja Dobiesława from Koszyce
The oldest known description of Polish coats of arms prepared by Jan Długosz, commonly known as Clenodia.
Excerpt from page 301 from B. Paprocki's book, The Nest of Virtue.

Clan history[edit]

The origin of the clan[edit]

The origin of the clan and the time when the Ostoja coat of arms was created obscure in the darkness of history. Nevertheless, there are some indications that the ancestors of this family (at least some of them) may have come from Eastern Europe. The primary evidence here is the fact that the Ostoja coat of arms, in its linear structure and style, bears the traces of old proprietary and clan marks of the Great Steppe nomadic peoples (Scythian, Sarmatian, Finno-Ugric, etc.). Prof. Tadeusz Sulimirski wrote in his book "Sarmatians": [...] There are many contradictory views on the origin of Polish coats of arms, none of which is convincing. [...] However, no attention was paid to the striking resemblance of Polish coats of arms to Sarmatian tamgas and the almost identical form. [...] The coats of arms of the Rurkowicz Ruthenians and most of the Polish coats of arms come from them.[8] The confirmation of what Silimirski claimed is the similarity of the Ostoja coat of arms, engraved on the portal of the church of St. Nicholas in Wysocice to the coat of arms of the Iziasławicz family (Rurykowicz), the Połock princes from the 12th century.[9] Jan Długosz (1415–1480), a Polish historian and chronicler, decided that the Ostoja family and its coat of arms are native Polish, including information about them among the 71 oldest Polish families and noble coats of arms. In the work Insignia seu clenodia Regis et Regni Poloniae, he wrote his observation as to the characterological features of the clan: "Ostoja [...] Genus Polonicum loquax et arrogans," which can be translated as: Ostoja [...] Polish family eloquent and audacious or as Bartosz Paprocki explained these words that the ancestors of the Ostoje clan were sometimes talkative and daring.[10]

The legendary origin of the clan and coat of arms[edit]

There are three most famous legends about the creation of the coat of arms and the Ostoja (Moścics) family – Bartosz Paprocki (given in 1578), Szymon Okolski (given in 1642) and Wacław Potocki (given in 1696).

According to the legend written down by Bartosz Paprocki, the beginnings of the family and the Ostoja coat of arms date back to the times of King Bolesław the Bold and concern a brave and cunning knight named Ostoja, who rotted over the water. In one of the military campaigns, he successfully attacked the guard of enemy troops and took prisoners of war. One of them, fearing death, agreed to cooperate with Ostoja and hand over his companions. Thanks to the subversive action of that prisoner of war, the Ostoja soldiers defeated the enemy several times and brought great fame and fame to the army. This is how Ostoja Polska was saved.[13] This version of the legend was also presented, in his own way, by Kasper Niesiecki in "Herbarz Polski".[14]

Another legend was given by Szymon Okolski. According to him, the origins of the Ostoja family should be associated with the journey of Japheth (son of Noah) to Croatia, who often prayed by the moonlight and therefore used his image as his personal sign. A descendant of Japheth – Balthazar, who traveled to Bethlehem with Casper and Melchior, added a star to the family coat of arms, symbolizing the aforementioned journey to the birthplace of Christ. Later Okolski wrote that the descendants of Balthazar who lived in Croatia left their homeland and, together with Czech and Lech, settled in distant lands. The family of Balthazar and Lech also included Ostoja, who participated in the war waged by Bolesław the Bold with pagans. As a sign of his victory, he placed in his family coat of arms, instead of a star, a sword between two moons, thanks to which he became famous.[15]

Wacław Potocki did not believe in the legends presented by Paprocki and Okolski. He had a different idea about the genesis of the family and the Ostoja coat of arms. He wrote: Let whoever will believe, and according to my head, I will place another beginning in Scripture as a Refuge. The heraldry saw the beginning of the family and the Ostoja coat of arms during the migration of the Israelites to Canaan. He referred to the biblical story of Joshua's struggle against the Amorites when the sun and moon were held back so that the leader of the Israelites could defeat his enemies by day. Potocki wrote that hence the two moons in the CoA, which were almost halfway down, a clear sign of the spilling blood, the sword separated the naked ones. Two moons, because in order for the year to stand in its measure, they had to fit two quarters in one night. [...] this Israeli hetman, Joshua prides himself, should be proud of this CoA and those who received castles under his shield of fortresses, fortresses and defenses.[16]

Clan nickname[edit]

The family surname is Scibor (also: Czścibor, Czcibor, Cibor, Czesbor). Many Ostoja families use it with their surnames – Ścibor-Iłowieccy, Ścibor-Bogusławscy, Ścibor-Chełmscy, Ścibor-Jackowscy, Ścibor-Ostaszewscy, Ścibor-Rylscy and others.[17] It is an Old Polish male name that means a fighter for honor, a defender of honor or one who worships a fight.[18] From the earliest times, family members used this name extremely often. Even the names of the two oldest, known to researchers, seats of Ostoja come from the name of Ścibor. These are – Ściborzyce in Małopolska and Ścibor in Kujawy. Kasper Niesiecki wrote about the meaning of this name for the members of the Ostoja clan in "Herbarz Polski": [...] on the old privileges, Sciborów got to read strength (because they had a hereditary name for a long time, which we can see in the Chełmski house today ) peculiarly, however, in the year 1099. Counts from Jabłeczno, counts from Poniedz, and therefore I would infer that this house was earlier in Poland in our country than our writers assumed for it.[19]

Main article: Stibor of Stiboricz

The most prominent figure in the Ostoja (Moścics) family bearing the name of Scibor was the son of Mościc from Ściborz, voivode of Gniewkowski – Scibor from Sciborzyce, voivode of Transylvania, Komes of Upper Hungarian counties. His property encompassed half of western Slovakia, including the entire Váh valley. He was sometimes called the little king of Slovakia. It had 31 castles and over 200 estates. Its main seat and property was Beckov Castle in today's Slovakia. From 1362, he lived in Hungary in the immediate vicinity of Louis I of Hungary. After the death of King Louis, he joined the court of Sigismund of Luxemburg. As an influential advisor and friend of the ruler of Hungary, he entered the circle of the most powerful aristocrats of medieval Europe. In addition, he was one of the first members of the Order of the Dragon. He died in 1414 and was buried in the royal chapel in Székesfehérvár.[20]

The oldest historical evidence[edit]

The oldest material testimony to the history of the family is the image of the Ostoja coat of arms, discovered during the conservation works of the church of St. Nicholas in Wysocice. The emblem engraved on the portal of the temple probably comes from the first half of the 13th century. It is known that the completion of the construction of this church was funded by knight Mikołaj from Ściborzyce of the Ostoja coat of arms. Certainly, the rite of the Ostoja coat of arms cannot come from a later period, because the sons of Mikołaj – Strachota and Ścibor sold their father's village in 1252 to the Cistercian monastery in Szczyrzyc and left Ściborzyce and moved to the northern regions of Poland. An important historical memento of the family is also the sale document of Ściborzyce, which is the approval of the transaction by Bolesław the Chaste. The original parchment document is dated 14 May 1252[21] and its content was published in the Diplomatic Code of Lesser Poland in 1876.[22] It is possible that the ancestor of the above-mentioned heirs of Ściborzyce was the knight Cistebor (Cistibor), who in 1110 offered unum pallium to the Krakow cathedral.

An extremely valuable testimony to the history of the Ostoja family is the Drohiczyn filler from the mid-thirteenth century, with an identification and ownership mark with the emblem of the Ostoja coat of arms. It represented Strachota, son of Mikołaj from Ściborzyce, and was probably stamped in the years 1253–1255. The seal was found in the ruins of the foundations of the former castle in Drohiczyn. The castle belonged to the Duke of Mazovia, Siemowit I, who visited Drohiczyn twice after 1252. Probably Strachota Mikołajewice of Ściborzyce, the prince's adjutant and most trusted knight, accompanied him during those visits to the castle in Drochiczyn.

One of the oldest mementos of the Ostoja family is the seal of the dean of Poznań Czcibor (Ścibor), imprinted in wax, depicting the Ostoja coat of arms. The coat of arms emblem is illegible today, but its description from 1879 has survived – [...] (the seal) shows the emblem of the Ostoja family on a triangular shield; inscription: S'Cztiborii Decani Pozn. Scibor was the dean of the Poznań Cathedral in the years 1356–1363. The document with his seal is in the Archdiocese Archives in Poznań (ref. DK, perg. 81).[23]

There is an image of the seal of Jakusz of Błociszewo, voivode of the Lviv town, showing the coat of arms of Ostoja with the inscription: S. IACUSSI. DE. BLOCISZEWO. The seal was hung on a document issued in 1370. The photo of the seal was published in 1938 by Marian Haisig.[24] The document with the seal was in the Archives of the city of Lviv that year.[25]

The historic ruins of Beckov Castle in Slovakia are a great testimony to the great history of the Ostoja family. From 1388, the stronghold belonged to Ścibor of Ściborzyce, coat of arms of Ostoja. The castle was rebuilt by Ostojczyk in the Gothic style and significantly enlarged. After the death of Ścibor, Beckov passed the path of inheritance to his son, Ścibor Ściborowic. The castle remained in the hands of the family until 1437. An important historical memento of the family is also the perfectly preserved tombstone of Ścibor Ściborowic, which is now kept in the Historical Museum in Budapest.

The precious historical mementoes of the family include the baptismal font with the Ostoja coat of arms in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Stanisław the Bishop in Bodzentyn, funded by Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellończyk in 1492. Zygmunt Gloger wrote about this baptismal font in the Old Polish Encyclopedia.[26]

Religious buildings funded by members of the clan[edit]

Below are presented selected examples of historic sacred buildings of historical importance, which were funded by members of the Ostoja (Moscics) family. The oldest building known to historians is the church of St. Nicholas in Wysocice, erected in the first half of the 13th century. The construction of the temple (originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary) was initiated by Bishop Iwo from Końskie, known as Odrowąż. This church was to be his fortress, private chapel. However, in 1229, the bishop unexpectedly died while traveling through Italy. The construction works were continued thanks to the support of Mikołaj from Ściborzyce, Ostoja coat of arms. St. Nicholas was probably dedicated to the Ostojczyk.[27]

Castles, palaces and manors of the clan members[edit]

The seats of the clan members are presented below. The oldest and one of the most magnificent is the well-preserved Orava Castle from the 13th century in the village of Oravský Podzámok in Slovakia. In 1420 it was handed over by King Sigismund of Luxemburg, Scibor Sciborowic, coat of arms Ostoja, son of Ścibor from Ściborzyce.

Baltazar Bzowski (1514–1574), vice-capitan of Jawor
Defense of the Olsztyn Castle in 1578 by Kasper Karliński
Duke of Siewier, Bishop of Krakow Marcin Szyszkowski (1554–1630)
Michał Sędziwój (1566–1636), alchemist, discoverer of oxygen, courtier of Emperor Rudolf II
Portrait of a Dominican Abraham Bzowski (1567–1637)
Hieronim Nagórski (died 1636), founder of the church of St. Nicholas in Grabownica in 1631.
Kazimierz Siemienowicz (died after 1651), an outstanding military engineer
Aleksander Słuszka (1580–1647), voivode of Trakai, Nowogrodzki, Mińsk, castellan of Samogitia
Piotr Błociszewski (died before 1649), heir of Błociszewo
Anna Maria Marchocka, Teresa Servant of God (1603–1652)
Anastazy Kiedrzyński (1676–1756), provincial of the Polish Pauline Order, prior of the Jasna Góra Monastery
Archbishop of Połock, Metropolitan of Kiev Florian Hrebnicki (1684–1762)
Stanisław Kublicki (died 1809), poet, member of the Four-Year Sejm
Bishop of Płock Tomasz Ostaszewski (1746–1817)
Mikołaj Krzywiec-Okołowicz (1762–1841), the founder of the city of Konstantynów
Franciszek Gajewski (1792–1868), adjutant of Emperor Napoleon
Jan Czeczot (1796–1847), an outstanding poet, friend of Adam Mickiewicz, secretary of the Philomatic society
Wincenty Danilewicz (1787–1878) with her daughters
Emma née Załuski, Ostaszewska (1831–1912)
Kazimierz and Tadeusz Błociszewski, Greater Poland insurgents of 1848
Stanisław Błociszewski (1804–1888), participant in the November uprising
Walenty Miklaszewski (1839–1924), professor at the Main School of Warsaw and the University of Warsaw
Władysław Konrad Ostaszewski (1844–1892), portrait by Władysław Podkowiński, collection of the National Museum in Warsaw
Zygmunt Ścibor-Rylski (died 1898), landowner, last owner of Pisarowce
Łukasz Solecki (1827–1900), bishop of Przemyśl, professor at the University of Lviv
Maria née Ostaszewska, countess Dzieduszycka (1851–1918)
Composer Mieczysław Karłowicz (1876–1909)
Stefan Mokrzecki (1862–1932), major general of the Polish Army
Włodzimierz Zagórski (1882–1927), brigadier general of the Polish Army
Grażyna Chrostowska, poet, murdered by the Germans in 1942
Stefan Kiedrzyński (1886–1943), an outstanding playwright and novelist
Prof. Stanisław Doktorowicz-Hrebnicki (1888–1974)
Prof. Bronisław Hełczyński (1890–1978)
Zofia Ludmiła née Ostaszewska, Countess Tarnowska (1902–1982)
Cardinal, Archbishop Adam Kozłowiecki SJ (1911–2007)
General Zbigniew Scibor-Rylski (1917–2018)

Famous representatives of the clan[edit]

The history of Ostoja (Moścics) was created (and still is) created by individual members of the family. For this reason, below is a list of known (historically) figures representing the ancestral community throughout the 13th–20th centuries. We can find many outstanding people – scientists, artists, soldiers and clergymen. Among them there are titled persons holding the highest offices – princes (e.g. Marcin Szyszkowski), komes (e.g. Scibor from Sciborzyce), cardinals (e.g. Adam Kozłowiecki), bishops (e.g. Tomasz Ostaszewski), counts (e.g. Józef Andrzej Mikorski), generals (e.g. Tadeusz Błociszewski) and many others. The presented list is certainly incomplete, but it will be supplemented over time.

13th century[edit]

14th century[edit]

15th century[edit]

16th century[edit]

17th century[edit]

18th century[edit]

19th century[edit]

20th century[edit]

Modern times[edit]

Currently, the Ostoja (Moścics) clam is organized by the Ostoja Family Association. In 2012, the Association was registered with the District Court in Rzeszów. The main goals of the Association (according to the statute) are: integration of Ostoja families and carrying out activities aimed at continuing family traditions, supporting Ostoja families, in particular studying youth, and providing material help to people in a particularly difficult life situation. In the years 2012–2017, five meetings of members and supporters of the Ostoja Family Association were held in Dwór Ostoya, in Jasionka near Rzeszów.

See also[edit]

Footnote[edit]

  1. ^ J. Szymański (1993). Herbarz średniowiecznego rycerstwa polskiego. Warszawa: PWN. p. 215.
  2. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). p. 26.
  3. ^ J. Sperka (2006). Otoczenie Władysława Opolczyka w latach 1370–1401. Katowice: WUŚ. pp. 192–194.
  4. ^ J. Szymański (1993). Herbarz średniowiecznego rycerstwa polskiego. Warszawa: PWN. pp. 215–216.
  5. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). p. 5.
  6. ^ J. Szymański (1993). Herbarz średniowiecznego rycerstwa polskiego. Warszawa: PWN. pp. 214–215.
  7. ^ J. Szymański (2001). Herbarz rycerstwa polskiego z XVI wieku. Warszawa: DiG. pp. 205–207.
  8. ^ T. Sulimirski (1979). Sarmaci. Warszawa: PIW. pp. 201–204.
  9. ^ O. Odnorożenko (2011). Ukraińska i ruska elita. Kijów. pp. 27–28.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ B. Paprocki (1858). Herby rycerstwa polskiego przez Bartosza Paprockiego zebrane i wydane r. p. 1584; wydanie Kazimierza Józefa Turowskiego. Kraków: Biblioteka Polska. p. 367.
  11. ^ O. Odnorożenko (2011). Ukraińska i ruska elita. Kijów. p. 28.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). p. 47.
  13. ^ B. Paprocki (1578). Gniazdo cnoty, skąd herby Rycerstwa sławnego Królestwa Polskiego, Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego, Ruskiego, Pruskiego, Mazowieckiego, Żmudzkiego i inszych Państw do tego Królestwa należących, Książąt i Panów początek swój mają. Kraków. pp. 301–302.
  14. ^ K. Niesiecki (1839–1845). Herbarz Polski. Lipsk: J.N. Bobrowicz. pp. 170–171.
  15. ^ S. Okolski (1642). Orbis Polonus, t. 2: In quo Antiqua Sarmatarum Gentilia et Arma Quaecunque a litera L usque ad literam R, inclusive, suam incipiunt et recensent denominationem, continentur et dilucidantur. Kraków. pp. 356–357.
  16. ^ W. Potocki (1696). Poczet herbów szlachty Korony Polskiej i Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego. Kraków. pp. 206–207.
  17. ^ A. Stekert: Przydomki polskie, litewskie i rusińskie. Kraków: 1897, s. 107.
  18. ^ H. Górny: Imię Cz(ś)cibor w polskiej antroponimii i toponimii. Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN, [w:] "Onomastica", LXI/2, 2017, s. 130.
  19. ^ K. Niesiecki (1839–1845). Herbarz Polski. Lipsk: J.N. Bobrowicz. pp. 170–175.
  20. ^ W. I. Oszczęda (2007). Zagadka miejsca pochówku Ścibora ze Ściborzyc. Muszyna: Almanach Muszyny. pp. 137–142.
  21. ^ E. Łużyniecka, J.M. Marszalska (2005). Szczyrzyc. Wrocław. p. 91.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  22. ^ Kodeksie Dyplomatycznym Małopolski. Kraków: F. Piekosiński, Wydawnictwa Komisyji Historycznej Akademii Umiejętności w Krakowie N. 9, t. 1. 1876. p. 43.
  23. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). pp. 6–7, 22–24.
  24. ^ M. Haisig: Sfragistyka szlachecka doby średniowiecza w świetle archiwaliów lwowskich. Lwów: 1938, s. 41–42.
  25. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). p. 24.
  26. ^ Z. Gloger (1996). Encyklopedia staropolska t. I. Warszawa, wydanie VII. p. 242.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  27. ^ R. Kalinowski (2016). Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu. Warszawa: Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego, nowej serii t. XV (XXVI). pp. 5–6.
  28. ^ F. Gajewski: Pamiętniki Franciszka z Błociszewa Gajewskiego, pułkownika wojsk polskich (1802–1831). S. Karwowski (red.). Poznań: 1913, t. I, wkładka między stronami: 48–49.

Bibliography[edit]

  • A. Boniecki, Herbarz Polski, t. 1–16, Warszawa 1899–1913.
  • R. Kalinowski, Protoheraldyczny znak na portalu kościoła w Wysocicach a historia herbu Ostoja w średniowieczu, Rocznik Polskiego Towarzystwa Heraldycznego nowej serii, t. XV (XXVI), Warszawa 2016.
  • K. Niesiecki, Herbarz Polski, wyd. J.N. Bobrowicz, t. 1–10, Lipsk 1839–1845.
  • O. Odnorożenko, Ukraińska i ruska elita, Kijów, 2011.
  • F. Piekosiński, Rycerstwo polskie wieków średnich, t. 1–3, Kraków 1896–1901.
  • Słownik historyczno-geograficzny ziem polskich w średniowieczu.
  • J. Sperka, Otoczenie Władysława Opolczyka w latach 1370–1401, Katowice 2006.
  • T. Sulimirski, Sarmaci, PIW, Warszawa 1979.
  • J. Szymański, Herbarz średniowiecznego rycerstwa polskiego, Warszawa 1993.
  • J. Szymański, Herbarz rycerstwa polskiego z XVI wieku, Warszawa: DiG, 2001.
  • S. Dubikowski, Palimpsest of the Gods, Kiev, 2020.
  • Ros Kan. The Story of one kin. Kiev, 2021.
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