Drutsk

Druck Coat of Arms

Druck or Drutsk (Belarusian: Друцк, IPA: [drutsk]; Russian: Друцк, also known as Дрютеск (Dryutesk) or Дрюческ (Druchesk) in the Middle Ages), is a historical town in Belarus, 40 kilometres (ca. 25 miles) west of Mahilyow. It was established in 1078 as an outpost of the Principality of Polatsk on the road from Polatsk to Kiev and Chernihov. In the 12th century and 13th century it was a centre of the early medvieval Principality of Druck, ruled by the princes from Polatsk branch of Rurik dynasty. It was then taken over by Gediminaiciai dynasty of Lithuania and subsequently became part of Great Duchy of Lithuania and later of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The town is also the name-sake of the Drucki-Lubecki Polish noble family and the name-sake for their coat of arms, the Druck Coat of Arms. The most famous member of that family is Franciszek Ksawery Drucki-Lubecki.