Gotard of Służew

The emblem of the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, at the gate of St. Catherine's Church in Warsaw.

Gotard of Służew (Polish: Gotard ze Służewa) was a 13th-century knight and count from the Duchy of Masovia, who served under duke Konrad I of Masovia, and later duke Bolesław I of Masovia. He was also castellan of Wizna. Gotard begun the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, related to the Radwan heraldic clan. His descendants formed noble families of Służewski, Okęcki, and Rusiecki.

Biography

Gotard was a son of Łuka (or Łukasz). He was a magnate, knight and military leader in the Duchy of Masovia, serving under duke Konrad I of Masovia, and later duke Bolesław I of Masovia. Gotard was also a castellan of Wizna. He fought in defensive wars against tribes of Old Prussians and Yotvingians, during which, he took captive seven Yotvingian leaders. They were then exchanged for a massive ransome paid in silver. On 27 April 1245, duke Konrad I awarded him with the land estate of Służew.

Gotarda Street in Warsaw, Poland, in 2022.

He began the Radwan-Wierzbowa clan, related to the Radwan heraldic clan. His descendants formed noble families of Służewski, Okęcki, and Rusiecki. The Służewski family owned Służew estate until the 17th century.

On 24 November 1961, a street in Warsaw, Poland was named after Gotard. It is located in the district of Mokotów, in the neighbourhood of Służewiec.