Groswin

About

Groswin was the name-giving seat of one of the castellanies of the Duchy of Pomerania in the High Middle Ages. It was located in Western Pomerania near modern Anklam. The castellany is thought to have comprised the area between the rivers Peene and Zarow, and the villages Rehberg, Japenzin, Iven, Crien, Wegezin, Thurow, Blesewitz and Görke.

The exact location of the Groswin burgh, which was destroyed in the late 12th century, is uncertain, it may have been near Stolpe-Neuhof, Grüttow, Görke or Müggenburg. At Groswin, defense structures within the Peene river allowed the locals to block the river for ships. Documents mention Groswin also in the spelling variants Grossvin, Groswim, Grozwin, Grozswin, Groswyn, Grosum (Knytlinga saga), Grotzuina (Saxo Grammaticus), Brotwin (946), Groswine (1136), Grozioni, Grozswine, and Grozswina.

Groswin took over the position of nearby Altes Lager Menzlin as a trade center after its decline in the 9th century. The tribal affiliation of the inhabitants, though associated with the greater tribe of the Veleti, is uncertain – while the Ukrani are reported to have dwelled south of the Zarow and the Rani north of the Ryck river, the name of the medieval...