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Silesian Piasts

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Silesian Piasts
Parent housePiast dynasty
CountryDuchy of Silesia
Founded1138
FounderWładysław II the Exile
Current headExtinct
Final rulerGeorge William of Legnica
TitlesHigh Dukes of Poland
Dukes of Silesia
Dissolution1675 (male line)
Cadet branchesSilesian Piasts ofOpole
Silesian Piasts ofGlogów

TheSilesian Piastswere the elder of four lines of the PolishPiast dynastybeginning withWładysław II the Exile(1105–1159), eldest son of DukeBolesław III of Poland.By Bolesław'stestament,Władysław was grantedSilesiaas his hereditary province and also the Lesser PolishSeniorate ProvinceatKrakówaccording to the principle ofagnatic seniority.

Early history

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The history of the Silesian Piasts began with the feudal fragmentation of Poland in 1138 following the death of thePolish dukeBolesław III Wrymouth. While the Silesian province and the Kraków seniorate were assigned to Władysław II the Exile, his three younger half-brothersBolesław IV the Curly,Mieszko III the Old,andHenry of SandomierzreceivedMasovia,Greater PolandandSandomierz,respectively, according to theTestament of Boleslaw III.

Władysław soon entered into fierce conflicts with his brothers and the Polish nobility. When in 1146 he attempted to take control of the whole of Poland, he wasexcommunicatedby ArchbishopJakub ze ŻninaofGnieznoand his brothers finally drove him into exile. He was received by KingConrad III of Germany,his brother-in-law by Władysław's consortAgnes of Babenberg,at theimperial palaceofAltenburg.Silesia and the Seniorate Province came under the control of second-bornBolesław IV the Curly,Duke of Masovia. In the same year King Conrad III attempted to regain power for Władysław, but failed.[1]: 49–50 Not until 1157 Duke Bolesław IV the Curly was defeated in a campaign by Konrads successor EmperorFrederick Barbarossa,however, the "Silesian issue" was not mentioned in the treaty concluded by the rulers, and so Władysław remained in exile. He died in 1159 without returning to Poland.[1]: 51 

Fragmentation of Silesia 1172/73
Bolesław the Tall
Jarosław of Opole
Mieszko Tanglefoot

In 1163, Bolesław the Curly was pressed by Frederick Barbarossa to return the hereditary Silesian province to Władysław's sonsBolesław the Tall,Konrad SpindleshanksandMieszko Tanglefoot,though he retained the Seniorate Province and the Polish throne at Kraków. The Duchy of Silesia remained within the Polish seniorate constitution, but Władysław's sons were obliged to pay a yearly tribute to theHoly Roman Emperor.[2][3]High Duke Bolesław the Curly also retained control of the most important Silesian cities such asWrocław,Opole,Głogów,RacibórzandLegnicauntil 1166 when the Silesian dukes took control of these parts.[1]: 51–52 Władysław's sons probably ruled Silesia together until 1172, when they divided their territory: Bolesław the Tall, eldest brother, received the large area fromLegnicaup theOderRiver toWroclawand created theDuchy of Opolefor his eldest sonJarosław.Mieszko Tanglefoot the smallerDuchy of RacibórzaroundRacibórzandCieszyn.Their minor brother Konrad Spindleshanks receivedŻagań,GłogówandKrosnofrom the hands of Bolesław the Tall. As Konrad prepared himself for a clerical career at theFulda monastery,his brother Bolesław administered his possessions until Konrad's early death, when he incorporated Konrad's part into his own duchy.

Golden eagle of the Upper Silesian Piasts

Mieszko at the same time was able to expand his duchy with the formerLesser Polishterritories ofBytomandOświęcim,given to him by High DukeCasimir II the Just,and also with the Duchy of Opole, which he received after the death of Duke Jarosław and his father Bolesław in 1201. One year later, Bolesław's heir, DukeHenry I the Bearded,and his uncle Mieszko moreover specified to rule out the right of succession among their branches, an arrangement which was largely responsible for the special position of what would becomeUpper Silesia.[4]In the same year, Poland abolished the seniorate and the Silesian duchies became independent entities.

Struggle for the Polish Crown

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Monarchy of the Silesian Henries

Henry I the Beardedactively took part in the inner-Polish conflicts and expanded his dominion with determination. Henry, before securing in 1229 the sovereignty inKraków,had made no less persevering efforts to bringGreater Polandalso under his dominion. From the beginning of the thirteenth century he had not ceased to intervene in the disputes which were carried on between the descendants ofMieszko the Old.At last in 1234, a good half of that province was formally ceded to him. As a guardian of minor dukes, Henry moreover ruled overOpoleandSandomierz.But, he aimed higher. This Silesian prince not only intended to enlarge his possessions; he proposed to make them the nucleus of a restoredKingdom of Poland.[5]: 36–37 He became duke ofKraków(Polonia Minor) in 1232, which gave him the title of theSenior Duke of Poland(seeTestament of Bolesław III Krzywousty). Henry expanded his realm also outside Poland ruling overBarnim,Teltow(owned temporarily) as well as parts ofLower Lusatia.Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he never gained the Polish crown.[6]

The royal crown, almost forgotten since the fall ofBolesław II,was destined by him for his eldest son, whom he associated with his rule towards the end of his life. ThisHenry II the Pious,who succeeded his father in 1238, was, in fact, entirely worthy of the heritage of the first Piasts. Pursuing the very able policy of Henry the Bearded, his son was moreover able to obtain the support of the clergy, with whom his father had had frequent disagreements.[5]: 37 In a close alliance with his brother-in-law, Bohemian kingWenceslaus,he consolidated his position in Greater Poland againstBarnim I of Pomeraniaand repelled an attack on castleLubuszby the margrave ofBrandenburgand the archbishop ofMagdeburg.[7]Following an old tradition of hisdynasty,he placed himself under the protection of theHoly See,with which he also allied himself againstFrederick II.In spite of all hisGermanconnections, Henry the Pious would, therefore, assuredly have maintained theindependenceand prestige of thekingdomif all his plan had not been annihilated by an unforeseen catastrophe. In 1241, he died as aChristianhero in theBattle of Legnica,in which he was attempting to arrest theMongolianinvasion.[5]His death left the Silesian Piast dynasty deeply shaken.

Fragmentation and turn to Bohemia

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Henry IV. at his court

After Henry's death in 1241, his brotherBolesław IIruled on behalf of his underage brothers. Since all male members of the family were eligible to rule, a principle critical for the coming years, a hereditary division was put into practice in 1248/51.[8][9]Bolesław established theduchy of Legnica,Konrad IGlogow,Henry IIIkept Wroclaw together withLadislaus,who would become archbishop ofSalzburg.Soon the next generation divided the territory again.JaworandLwówek Śląskisplit off from Legnica,Duchy of ŻagańandŚcinawafrom Głogów. In the next generationBrzegwas detached from Wrocław,ŚwidnicaandDuchy of Ziębicefrom Lwówek Śląski-Jawor andOleśnicafromGłogów.TheDuchy of Opole,which was established byMieszko Iand called after its residence Opole, wasn't spared from the divisions, they only began one generation later. The four sons of Wladyslaw I of Opole, a grandson of Mieszko, split the duchy into Opole,Koźle-Bytom,RacibórzandTeschen.These duchies were also split again in the next generation. Opole was divided into Opole,NiemodlinandStrzelce Opolskie,Koźle-Bytom in Koźle, Bytom andToszek,Teschen in Teschen andOświęcim.

These divisions often were the result of fierce and militant conflicts, in which not only the Silesian parties but also their partisans from other parts of Poland and neighboringBohemiawere involved. Whereas the connections to Poland diminished the political ties with Bohemia became increasingly stronger.

In their exile in Germany, the Piasts had witnessed theinner colonizationsalong the Elbe river and strived to develop sparsely populated Silesia by calling in Germans from the west, slowly increasing Silesia's German population which came to dominate the region over the next centuries.[10]

The reign of dukeHenry IV Probuswas exemplary for the position of Silesias duchies in the area of tension between Poland and Bohemia. After the death of his father Henry III, he was raised inPragueat the court of Bohemian kingOttokar II,who also became his guardian. After Ottokar's death, he did not, as expected, became viceregent of Bohemia for underageWenceslaus IIbut was compensated withKłodzkobyRudolf of Habsburg,who also ennobled Henry to acountof the Holy Roman Empire and granted him his duchy as afief.[11][12]Henry not only obtained the preeminence in Silesia but, with the help of the German party in Polonia Minor,[11][13][14]also the duchy of Kraków and became duke of Poland. He initially wanted Wenceslaus to become his successor, but changed his plan on the deathbed and granted Wrocław toHenry IIIand Kraków toPrzemysł II,whereas Kłodzko returned to Bohemia.

Vassals of Bohemia and decline

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The gatehouse to the Silesian Piasts castle inBrzeg(1554–1560) with sculptures of thePiastrulers fromSiemowittoFrederick II of Legnica

As Przemysł II united Poland, the weak and divided Silesian dukes needed a strong partner who could provide cover. They were now separated from the Polish state and subjected to the Bohemian crown.

After the death ofWenceslaus III,king ofBohemiaand Poland, the right to the Polish crown was disputed, being claimed by various Piast dukes as well as the successors of Wenceslaus III on the Bohemian throne. In 1327,John of Bohemiainvaded Poland in order to gain the Polish crown. After the intervention of KingCharles I of Hungaryhe leftPolonia Minor,but on his way back he enforced his supremacy over theUpper SilesianPiasts. In February 1327, five principalities were carved out of PolishUpper Silesiaand placed under Bohemian suzerenity:Duchy of Niemodlin,Duchy of Cieszyn,Duchy of Racibórz,Duchy of KoźleandBytomand theDuchy of OświęcimandZator.In April the dukes ofOpoleandWrocławalso became the tributaries of king John.[15][16]

In 1329,Władysław I the Elbow-highstarted a war with theTeutonic Order.The Order was supported byJohn of Bohemiawho managed to enforce his supremacy over the dukes ofMasoviaandLower Silesia.In April–May 1329, following Lower Silesian duchies became subjects of the Bohemian crown:Ścinawa,Oleśnica,Żagań,Legnica-BrzegandJawor.In 1331 theDuchy of Głogówseparated from Poland as well.[17]

The last independent Silesian Piast –Bolko II of Świdnica– died in 1368. His wife Agnes ruled theŚwidnicaduchy until her death in 1392. From that time on, all remaining Silesian Piasts were vassals of the Bohemian crown, although they maintained their sovereign rights.

The last legitimate Silesian Piast –George William, Duke of Liegnitz

In 1335,John of Bohemiarenounced his claim to the title of king of Poland in favour ofCasimir the Great,who in return renounced his claims to Silesia.[18]This was formalized in the treaties ofTrenčínandVisegrád,ratified in 1339.[19]: 127 

The division into small and smallest territories led to a decline of prestige and power. Many Silesian Piasts now merely had the status ofsquireswith greater rights. Some Piasts entered foreign services as mercenary leaders, like John II of Glogau and Sagan. Henry IX traveled through Europe as agoliard.The descent of the dynasty was also illustrated by the marriages of the dukes. The Silesian Piasts of the 13th and 14th century married into princely families especially from German families, but also other European royal lines, whereas later Piasts also married non-princely and even bourgeois women.[4]

With the adoption of theProtestant faithin Silesia, the Piasts again gained importance. Against theCatholicHabsburg dynasty,which ruled Silesia since 1526, the dukes sought political support by entering matrimonies with Protestant, imperial rulers like theHohenzollerndynasty.[20]Their last attempts of independent policies were the candidatures of Frederick II of Liegnitz for the Bohemian crown (1526) and of Henry XI (1573), Frederick IV (1576) and Christian (1668) for the Polish crown.[20]

During the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, various branches of the Silesian Piasts became extinct. In 1532, the last Duke of Opole, John II the Good, died, leaving most of Upper Silesia under direct Bohemian rule. In 1675, the last legitimate Silesian Piast –George William, Duke of Liegnitz– died. The last male Silesian Piast was baronFerdinand II Hohenstein,who died in 1706, the last female Piast,Charlotte,died in 1707.[4]

Silesian Piasts and Poland

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The Silesian Piasts formed the oldest branch of the first Polish royal dynasty. This was the reason that even after the fragmentation of Poland their interest in Polish matters was still strong.Norman Daviesstated that the dynastic loyalty of all Piast dukes as well as a single ecclesiastic organisation still secured the unity of the divided Kingdom of Poland. In his opinion the alleged "will" to separate from Poland is contradicted by the continuous involvement of the Silesian Piasts in Polish affairs. He remarks that the dukes of Silesia did not break their connections with their relatives in the rest of Poland. The most visible evidence of this is said to be the fact that in the 13th century three Silesian Dukes – Henry I, Henry II and Henry IV – took control ofKrakówand therefore of the senior throne of the whole of Poland.[19]: 113 

In Davies' opinion, theGermanisationof Silesia did not necessarily mean a desire to move apart from Poland. He suggests that it was more likely a way to satisfy the Silesian Piasts' ambitions inside Poland. The planned introduction of German settlers would strengthen Silesia, and also the Silesian Piast claims to the senioral throne in Kraków. Only when the Silesian Piasts' ambitions to rule in Kraków were thwarted did they decide to set their province on a different course.[19]: 114 

According to German scholars, by the 14th century, the Silesian Piasts were viewed as Germans on par with the other dukes of the Holy Roman Empire, at least to a much larger degree than dukes of Bohemia and Moravia.[21]

Family tree of Silesian Piasts

[edit]
Bolesław III Wrymouth
duke of Poland
HOUSE OF PIAST
Władysław II the Exile
duke of Silesia
BRANCH OF SILESIA
Mieszko III the Old
duke of Greater Poland
BRANCH OF GREATER POLAND
Casimir II the Just
duke of Masovia
BRANCH OF LESSER POLAND
Bolesław I the Tall
duke of Wroclaw
Mieszko I Tanglefoot
duke of Opole
BRANCH OF OPOLE
Konrad Laskonogi
duke of Glogów
Jarosław
bishop of Wrocław
Henry I the Bearded
duke of Wroclaw
Henry II the Pious
duke of Wroclaw
Konrad the Curly
prince
Bolesław II the Horned
duke of Wrocław
Mieszko
duke of Lubusz
Henry III the White
duke of Wroclaw
Konrad I
duke of Głogów
BRANCH OF GŁOGÓW
Ladislaus
archbishop of Salzburg
Henry V
duke of Wrocław, Legnica, Brzeg
Bolko I the Strict
duke of Lwówek
BRANCH OF ZIẸBICE
Bernard the Lightsome
duke of Lwówek
Henry IV
duke of Wrocław
Bolesław III the Generous
duke of Legnica, Brzeg
Henry VI the Good
duke of Wrocław
Władysław
duke of Legnica
Bernhard
duke of Swindica
Henry I
duke of Jawor
Bolko II
duke of Ziębice
Wenceslaus I
duke of Legnica
BRANCH OF LEGNICA
Louis I
duke of Brzeg
Bolko II the Small
duke of Swindica
Henry II
duke of Swindica
Nicholas the Small
duke of Ziębice
Rupert I
duke of Legnica
Wenceslaus II
bishop of Lebus, Wroclaw
Bolesław IV
duke of Legnica
Henry VIII
duke of Legnica
Henry VII
duke of Brzeg
Bolko III
duke of Ziębice
Henry I
duke of Ziębice
Henry IX
duke of Brzeg
Louis II
duke of Oława
John I
duke of Ziębice
Henry II
duke of Ziębice
Rupert II
duke of Lubin
Wenceslaus III
duke of Oława
Louis III
duke of Oława
John I
duke of Lüben
Henry I
duke of Haynau
Frederick I
duke of Legnica
John II
duke of Legnica
Frederick II
duke of Legnica
George I
duke of Brzeg
Frederick III
duke of Legnica
George II
duke of Brzeg
Henry XI
duke of Legnica
Frederick IV
duke of Legnica
Joachim Frederick
duke of Brzeg
John George
duke of Oława
John Christian
duke of Brzeg
George Rudolf
duke of Legnica
George III
duke of Brzeg
Louis IV
duke of Legnica
Christian
duke of Brzeg
George William
duke of Legnica

Silesian Piasts, branch of Opole

[edit]
Władysław II
duke of Silesia
SILESIAN PIASTS
Bolesław I the Tall
duke of Wrocław
Mieszko I Tanglefoot
duke of Opole
BRANCH OF OPOLE
Casimir I
duke of Opole
Mieszko II the Fat
duke of Opole
Władysław
duke of Opole
Mieszko I
duke of Cieszyn
Casimir
duke of Bytom
BRANCH OF BYTOM
Bolko I
duke of Opole
BRANCH OF STRZELCE
Przemysław
duke of Racibórz
Władysław
duke of Oświęcim
Casimir I
duke of Cieszyn
Bolesław
archbishop of Esztergom
Władysław
duke of Bytom
Siemowit
duke of Bytom
George
duke of Bytom
Mieszko
bishop of Nitra, Veszprém
Bolesław the Elder
duke of Wieluń
Bolko II
duke of Opole
Albert
duke of Strzelce
Leszek
duke of Racibórz
Jan I the Scholastic
duke of Oświęcim
Władysław
prince, heir
Bolesław
prince, heir
Przemyslaus I
duke of Cieszyn
Jan
cleric
Siemowit
Teutonic knight
Casimir
duke of Koźle
Bolesław
duke of Bytom
Boleslaw II
duke of Niemodlin
Wenceslaus
duke of Niemodlin
Henry
duke of Niemodlin
Vladislaus II
duke of Opole
Bolko III
duke of Strzelce
Henry
duke of Opole
Jan II
duke of Oświęcim
Przemysław
duke of Oświęcim
Bolesław I
duke of Cieszyn
BRANCH OF CIESZYN
Jan Kropidło
bishop of Poznań
Bolko IV
duke of Opole
Henry II
duke of Niemodlin
Bernard
duke of Niemodlin
Jan III
duke of Oświęcim
Casimir
duke of Oświęcim
Wenceslaus I
duke of Cieszyn
Władysław
duke of Głogów
Przemysław II
duke of Cieszyn
Bolesław II
duke of Cieszyn
Bolko V the Hussite
duke of Opole
Jan I
duke of Opole
Nicholas I
duke of Strzelce
Wenceslaus I
duke of Zator
Przemysław
duke of Toszek
Jan IV
duke of Oświęcim
Casimir II
duke of Cieszyn
Louis
duke of Opole
Jan II the Good
duke of Opole
Nicholas II
duke of Strzelce
Casimir II
duke of Zator
Wenceslaus II
duke of Zator
Jan V
duke of Zator
Władysław
duke of Zator
Frederick
prince, heir
Wenceslaus II
duke of Cieszyn
Wenceslaus III Adam
duke of Cieszyn
Frederick Casimir
duke of Cieszyn
Adam Wenceslaus
duke of Cieszyn
Frederick William
duke of Cieszyn

Silesian Piasts, branch of Głogów

[edit]
Henry II the Pious
duke of Wrocław, Kraków
SILESIAN PIASTS
Bolesław II Rogatka
duke of Wrocław
Konrad I
duke of Głogów
BRANCH OF GŁOGÓW
Henry III
duke of Głogów
Konrad II the Hunchback
patriarch of Aquileia
Przemko
duke of Ścinawa
Henry IV the Faithful
duke of Żagań
Konrad I
duke of Oleśnica
BRANCH OF OLEŚNICA
Bolesław
duke of Oleśnica
John
duke of Ścinawa
Przemko II
duke of Głogów
Henry V of Iron
duke of Żagań
Konrad II the Gray
duke of Oleśnica
Henry VI the Elder
duke of Żagań-Głogów
Henry VII Rumpold
duke of Żagań-Głogów
Henry VIII the Sparrow
duke of Żagań–Głogów
Konrad III the Old
duke of Oleśnica
Jan I
duke of Żagań-Głogów
Henryk IX Starszy
duke of Żagań
Henry X Rumpold
duke of Żagań
Wenceslaus of Krosno
duke of Krosno
Konrad IV the Elder
duke of Oleśnica
Konrad V Kantner
duke of Oleśnica
Konrad VI the Dean
duke of Oleśnica
Konrad VII the White
duke of Oleśnica
Konrad VIII the Younger
duke of Oleśnica
Balthasar
duke of Żagań-Przewóz
Rudolf
duke of Żagań-Przewóz
Wenceslaus
duke of Żagań-Przewóz
Jan II the Mad
duke of Żagań-Przewóz
Henry XI
duke of Głogów
Konrad IX the Black
duke of Oleśnica
Konrad X the White
duke of Oleśnica


Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^abcAndrzej Chwalba(2000). Wydawnictwo Literackie (ed.).Kalendarium Historii Polski(in Polish). Kraków. pp. 49–52.ISBN83-08-03136-6.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^Weczerka, p. XXXIV
  3. ^Petry, p. 86
  4. ^abcPagenstecher, p. 405
  5. ^abcOskar Halecki; Antony Polonsky (1978).A history of Poland.Routledge. pp. 36–37.ISBN0-7100-8647-4.Google Books
  6. ^Benedykt Zientara (1997).Henryk Brodaty i jego czasy(in Polish). Warsaw: Trio. pp. 317–320.ISBN83-85660-46-1.
  7. ^Appelt, p. 393
  8. ^Weczerka, p. XLII
  9. ^Petry, p. 112
  10. ^Stadt und landschaft im deutschen Osten und in Ostmitteleuropa.Kommission für das Studium der deutschen Geschichte und Kultur im Osten an der Rheinischen Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn. p. 47.
  11. ^abAppelt, p. 394
  12. ^Petry, p. 122
  13. ^Weczerka, p. XLIV
  14. ^Petry, p. 131
  15. ^Rosamond McKitterick,Michael Jones,Paul Fouracre,Timothy Reuter,David Abulafia,Christopher Allmand,David Luscombe,Jonathan Riley-Smith(2005).Cambridge University Press(ed.).The new Cambridge medieval history.Cambridge. p. 747.ISBN9780521362900.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^(in English and Latin)Balázs Nagy; Frank Schaer; Ferdinand Seibt (2001).Central European University Press(ed.).Autobiography of Emperor Charles IV.pp. 78–83.ISBN9789639116320.
  17. ^"The new Cambridge medieval history", p. 747
  18. ^Encyclopædia Britannica: Silesia
  19. ^abcNorman Davies,Roger Moorhouse(2002). Znak (ed.).Mikrokosmos(in Polish). Kraków. pp. 113–114, 127.ISBN83-240-0172-7.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  20. ^abPagenstecher, p. 404
  21. ^Norbert Conrads, ed. (1994).Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas: Schlesien.Siedler. p. 99.

References

[edit]
  • Weczerka, Hugo (2003).Handbuch der historischen Stätten: Schlesien.Stuttgart: Kröner Stuttgart.ISBN3-520-31602-1.
  • Pagenstecher (2001).Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB) Bd.20.Berlin:Duncker & Humblot.
  • Appelt, Heinrich (1969).Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB) Bd.8.Berlin:Duncker & Humblot.
  • Petry, Ludwig; Josef Joachim Menzel; Winfried Irgang (2000).Geschichte Schlesiens. Band 1: Von der Urzeit bis zum Jahre 1526.Stuttgart: Jan Thorbecke Verlag Stuttgart.ISBN3-7995-6341-5.

See also

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