Feudal fragmentation

Feudal fragmentation is a process whereby feudal state is split into smaller regional state structures, each characterized by significant autonomy, if not outright independence, and ruled by a high-ranking noble such as a prince or a duke. Feudal fragmentation is usually associated with European history, particularly during the Middle Ages. Feudal fragmentation occurs after the death of the legitimate ruler leaves no clear heirs, and rulers of various subdivisions of the original state fail at electing or agreeing on a new leader for the previous, larger entity. In some cases (for example, the Holy Roman Empire), such a leader may be elected, yet wield much lesser powers than those of his predecessor. Feudal fragmentation is related to the concepts of agnatic seniority and principate. This phenomenon has occurred in the history of several countries and regions: In the history of England, the Heptarchy In the history of Poland, the regionalization or fragmentation of Poland (rozbicie dzielnicowe) refers to the period following the testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth (1138) that led to the split of the Kingdom of Poland into several mostly independent provinces, unified only by Ladislaus the Short approximately two centuries later, in the early 14th century In the history of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine the period of fragmentation (феодальная раздробленность) that started from around the 12th century during Kievan Rus'.