The Tarnowski Family of Tarnówka and Boczki of Jelita Coat of Arms

Abstract

The article presents the beginnings of the Tarnowski family of Jelita coat of arms from the village of Tarnówek near Szadek (voivodeship of Sieradz). Its progenitor Wincenty was probably from one of the three villages with the name of Tarnów (Tarnowo) in the land of Łęczyca. The fact that he moved to the land of Sieradz could probably be associated with his marriage to a woman originating from the family of Pomian coat of arms, with a heritage at Rossoszyca and neighboring villages. After the marriage, Wincenty acquired some lands at Rossoszyca and Boczki. The progenitor of the Tarnowskis was very active in land courts and local borough courts of Sieradz voivodeship as assessor and vice-official. He was a client of the voivode of Łęczyca and royal plenipotentiary in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) Wojciech Malski. Appointed by him, from 1441 he served as land subjudge for the district of Sieradz, butin 1447, after the coronation of King Casimir Jagiellon, was removed from his position. Then he became a client of the Kurozwęckis of Poraj (Róża) coat of arms, holding on their behalf offices in the local administration of Ostrzeszów. His other patrons were the Zarembas of Kalinowa, holding in pledge the starostwo of Wieluń. Here again Wincenty was an official of the starost administration. Until his death in 1472 he was also very active serving as an assessor at noble courts in Sieradz voivodeship.

Wincenty had two sons from his three marriages. The first marriage gave him Klemens who took over the estate at Rossoszyca. The second marriage brought him Jan (later, a father of at least eight children), a progenitor of the Tarnowskis of Tarnówek near Szadek, still active in Sieradz voivodeship in the early modern period.