Balthasar of Zagan
Encyclopedia
Balthasar of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań
-Przewóz
since 1439 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1449), from 1449 Duke of Żagań. Deposed during 1461-1468, he recovered the Duchy in this year until shortly before his death.
He was the oldest son of Duke Jan I of Żagań
by his wife Scholastika, daughter of Rudolf III, Duke of Saxe-Wittemberg and Elector of Saxony. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Balthasar, Landgrave of Thuringia
(Scholastika's maternal grandfather).
with his younger brothers Rudolf
, Wenceslaus
and Jan II the Mad
. In 1449 the Duchy was divided into two districts: Żagań and Przewóz
. Balthasar and Rudolf received Żagań as co-rulers while Przewóz was give to Jan II and Wenceslaus, also as co-rulers.
In 1450, together with Rudolf, Balthasar went on a pilgrimage to Rome
. Shortly after his return, he had to face the claims of his brother Jan II who, dissatisfied with the part of the lands which had received, asked the review of the divisionary treaty. The dispute, thanks to the mediation of their uncle, Frederick of Saxony, was settle amicably in 1453.
In 1454 Rudolf was killed during the Thirteen Years' War in the Battle of Chojnice
, fighting at the side of the Teutonic Knights
. After his death, Balthasar went to Prussia
(Polish region), fighting on the Teutonic side and trying to gain a Lieutenancy. Without obtaining this position, he returned to Żagań in 1457. On his return, he found a complicated situation, as Jan II established himself as a Governor of the Duchy during his absence, and forced the Żagań states to paid homage
to him.
In the following years Balthasar was involved in the Silesian political affairs, directly against George of Poděbrady
, King of Bohemia
. In 1461 his brother Jan II, with the help of troops given by the Bohemian King, invaded Żagań. Balthasar was forced to escape.
During 1461-1467 Balthasar lived in exile in Wroclaw
, where he led the urban army. After having unsuccessfully appealed to King George for the recovery of his domains, he went to Rome
, where he obtained the support of Pope Pius II
. In 1467 a Crusade against the "Hussite
King" (as a reference to the Bohemian King) was organized and, with the Papal support, he was appointed the supreme Commander. However, the expedition failed after Balthasar's defeat by Jan II in Kożuchów
.
It was only in 1468 when Balthasar regained the government over Żagań, thanks to the help of his cousin, Duke Henry XI of Głogów.
During the war between Matthias Corvinus and George of Poděbrady, he was at the side of the Hungarian King. In 1469 he paid homage as a vassal of Hungary. However, soon the Hungarian King began to support Jan II against him.
In 1472 Jan II invaded again Żagań and took control over the government. Balthasar was captured and imprisoned in the castle of Przewóz, where -according to some sources- he was starved to death by order of his brother. This happened on 15 July 1472. He was buried in the Ducal mausoleum in the Augustinian church of Żagań.
On 11 September 1469 Balthasar married secondly with Barbara (b. ca. 1452/53 - d. bef. 12 May 1507), daughter of Duke Bolesław II of Cieszyn. This union, who, as recorded the chronicles, caused his "brother's anger", remained childless. After the death of his husband, Barbara was forced to return her homeland Cieszyn.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
-Przewóz
Przewóz
Przewóz is a village in Żary County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It lies on the Lusatian Neisse river, which marks the border with Germany. Przewóz is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Przewóz. It lies approximately south-west of Żary and south-west of Zielona Góra.The village has...
since 1439 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1449), from 1449 Duke of Żagań. Deposed during 1461-1468, he recovered the Duchy in this year until shortly before his death.
He was the oldest son of Duke Jan I of Żagań
Jan I of Zagan
Jan I of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów, since 1397 , since 1403 Duke of Żagań, Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin and since 1412 sole ruler of Żagań and Przewóz.He was the eldest son of Henry VIII the Sparrow, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke...
by his wife Scholastika, daughter of Rudolf III, Duke of Saxe-Wittemberg and Elector of Saxony. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Balthasar, Landgrave of Thuringia
Balthasar, Landgrave of Thuringia
Landgrave Balthasar of Thuringia was Margrave of Meissen and Landgrave of Thuringia from the House of Wettin.- Life :Balthasar was the second son of Frederick the Serious...
(Scholastika's maternal grandfather).
Life
After his father's death in 1439, he inherited the Duchy of ŻagańZagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
with his younger brothers Rudolf
Rudolf of Zagan
Rudolf of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Żagań ....
, Wenceslaus
Wenceslaus of Zagan
Wenceslaus of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Przewóz ....
and Jan II the Mad
Jan II the Mad
Jan II the Mad also known as the Bad, the Wild or the Cruel , was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Przewóz , during 1461-1468 and briefly in 1472 Duke of Żagań and during 1476-1488 Duke of half-Głogów .He was the fourth and...
. In 1449 the Duchy was divided into two districts: Żagań and Przewóz
Przewóz
Przewóz is a village in Żary County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It lies on the Lusatian Neisse river, which marks the border with Germany. Przewóz is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Przewóz. It lies approximately south-west of Żary and south-west of Zielona Góra.The village has...
. Balthasar and Rudolf received Żagań as co-rulers while Przewóz was give to Jan II and Wenceslaus, also as co-rulers.
In 1450, together with Rudolf, Balthasar went on a pilgrimage to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Shortly after his return, he had to face the claims of his brother Jan II who, dissatisfied with the part of the lands which had received, asked the review of the divisionary treaty. The dispute, thanks to the mediation of their uncle, Frederick of Saxony, was settle amicably in 1453.
In 1454 Rudolf was killed during the Thirteen Years' War in the Battle of Chojnice
Battle of Chojnice
The Battle of Chojnice occurred on September 18, 1454 by the town of Chojnice between Poland and the Teutonic Knights during the Thirteen Years' War, it was won by the latter. The Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry under Bernard Szumborski...
, fighting at the side of the Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
. After his death, Balthasar went to Prussia
Prussia (region)
Prussia is a historical region in Central Europe extending from the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea to the Masurian Lake District. It is now divided between Poland, Russia, and Lithuania...
(Polish region), fighting on the Teutonic side and trying to gain a Lieutenancy. Without obtaining this position, he returned to Żagań in 1457. On his return, he found a complicated situation, as Jan II established himself as a Governor of the Duchy during his absence, and forced the Żagań states to paid homage
Homage (medieval)
Homage in the Middle Ages was the ceremony in which a feudal tenant or vassal pledged reverence and submission to his feudal lord, receiving in exchange the symbolic title to his new position . It was a symbolic acknowledgment to the lord that the vassal was, literally, his man . The oath known as...
to him.
In the following years Balthasar was involved in the Silesian political affairs, directly against George of Poděbrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...
, King of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. In 1461 his brother Jan II, with the help of troops given by the Bohemian King, invaded Żagań. Balthasar was forced to escape.
During 1461-1467 Balthasar lived in exile in Wroclaw
Wroclaw
Wrocław , situated on the River Oder , is the main city of southwestern Poland.Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia and is today the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of either Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, but since 1945...
, where he led the urban army. After having unsuccessfully appealed to King George for the recovery of his domains, he went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where he obtained the support of Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
. In 1467 a Crusade against the "Hussite
Hussite
The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus , who became one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation...
King" (as a reference to the Bohemian King) was organized and, with the Papal support, he was appointed the supreme Commander. However, the expedition failed after Balthasar's defeat by Jan II in Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...
.
It was only in 1468 when Balthasar regained the government over Żagań, thanks to the help of his cousin, Duke Henry XI of Głogów.
During the war between Matthias Corvinus and George of Poděbrady, he was at the side of the Hungarian King. In 1469 he paid homage as a vassal of Hungary. However, soon the Hungarian King began to support Jan II against him.
In 1472 Jan II invaded again Żagań and took control over the government. Balthasar was captured and imprisoned in the castle of Przewóz, where -according to some sources- he was starved to death by order of his brother. This happened on 15 July 1472. He was buried in the Ducal mausoleum in the Augustinian church of Żagań.
Marriages and Issue
Balthasar's first wife was Agnes (d. 28 August 1460), whose origins are unknown. Their only child, a daughter, Anna, died young in 1463.On 11 September 1469 Balthasar married secondly with Barbara (b. ca. 1452/53 - d. bef. 12 May 1507), daughter of Duke Bolesław II of Cieszyn. This union, who, as recorded the chronicles, caused his "brother's anger", remained childless. After the death of his husband, Barbara was forced to return her homeland Cieszyn.