duchy · Germany and Central Europe

Duchy of Krnov

1377 CE – 1918 CE (approx.) · capital Krnov

A Silesian duchy, known in German as Jägerndorf, held successively by Přemyslids, Hohenzollerns and the princes of Liechtenstein.

Origins

Krnov (Jägerndorf) emerged from the Přemyslid lands of the Duchy of Opava. After Duke Nicholas II died in 1365 his sons divided his possessions, and by 1377 John I held Krnov together with Racibórz as his own duchy, a fief of the Kingdom of Bohemia.

After several changes of ruler, Krnov was bought in 1523 by Margrave George of Brandenburg-Ansbach, who introduced Lutheranism and rebuilt the castle. His Hohenzollern heirs held it until 1621, when Johann Georg lost it for supporting the Bohemian revolt. Emperor Ferdinand II then granted it to Karl of Liechtenstein, whose family kept the ducal title thereafter.

Frederick II of Prussia cited the Hohenzollern claim to Krnov when he invaded Silesia, and in 1742 Prussia annexed the northern part, while the town stayed in Austrian Silesia. The Liechtensteins kept the title until 1918, when Krnov became part of Czechoslovakia.

Duchy of Krnov was a vassal of Kingdom of Bohemia1377 CE – 1918 CE
Duchy of Krnov in personal union with Margraviate of Brandenburg1523 CE – 1621 CE

Cite this page

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Duchy of Krnov. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/duchy-of-krnov
MLA: “Duchy of Krnov.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/duchy-of-krnov. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Duchy of Krnov.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/duchy-of-krnov.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Duchy of Krnov’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/duchy-of-krnov (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻