Bernard of Niemodlin
Encyclopedia
Bernard of Niemodlin was a Duke of Strzelce
and Niemodlin
during 1382-1400 (with his brothers as co-rulers), Duke of Opole
during 1396-1400 (with his brother as co-ruler), from 1400 until 1450 sole ruler over Strzelce and Niemodlin, from 1401 ruler over Olesno
and Lubliniec
, from 1420 ruler over Prudnik
and in 1424 ruler over Głogówek, during 1434-1450 ruler over Kluczbork
and Byczyna
and from 1450 ruler over only Olesno.
He was the fourth and youngest son of Duke Bolko III of Strzelce by his wife Anna, probably daughter of Duke Jan I of Oświęcim
.
and Bolko IV
. The first appearance of Bernard in the political affairs took place on 6 August 1396, when he was present in the peace talks between the Polish King Władysław II Jagiełło
and the Dukes of Opole; in this meeting, was arranged the betrothal of Bernard with Hedwig (died 23 Oct 1424), daughter of Spytko II z Melsztyna, Voivode of Kraków
. This engagement was the guarantee that the young Dukes of Opole don't follow the steps of his uncle Władysław Opolczyk against the Kingdom of Poland. As additional security, the districts of Olesno
and Lubliniec
were promised to the Dukes of Opole as fiefs; but, in absence of male heirs, they reverted to Spytka II's daughters as a dowry
.
In 1400 was made the formal division of the Duchy of Opole. Bernard obtained Strzelce
and Niemodlin
as sole ruler. One year later, in 1401, took place his marriage with Hedwig z Melsztyna and received the formal possession of Olesno and Lubliniec. In 1402 Bernard was recognized as a President of the Silesian states.
In the first years of his rule of Bernard tried to lead a policy of close cooperation with Poland and in 1414 he even participated at the King's side in the war against the Teutonic Order. However, this changed in 1417, when the Dukes of Opole had to faced the pretentions of Dukes Jan I
and Henry IX
of Żagań
, who claimed rights from their mother Katharina of Opole, daughter of Władysław Opolczyk. The dispute was to be settled on the Prague court, where, for unknown reasons, on 2 July 1417 Bolko IV and Bernard received an adverse ruling and were obliged to give all the inheritance of Władysław Opolczyk to the Dukes of Żagań. The formal approval of this decision by King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia
was fixed at the beginning of next year (1418), but at the end wasn't performed, and only the death of the King one year later applazed indefinitely the matter. In any event, during the next years and until the ruling was cancelled by the Emperor Sigismund
on 16 September 1435, Bernard and Bolko IV have to work closely with the House of Luxembourg in order to gain the Imperial favor.
In 1417 Bernard was a judge in a dispute between the children of Spytko II z Melsztyna about the inheritance of one of his daughters, wife of the eldest son of Duke Janusz I of Warsaw. After the death of Euphemia of Masovia, widow of Władysław Opolczyk by 1424, Bernard and his brother Bolko IV inherited her Oprawa wdowia, Głogówek, which at the end of that year was given to Bolko IV's son, Bolko V the Hussite
.
Together with his older brother Bolko IV, Bernard took part in the Congress of Bratislava
in 1423. After Bolko III's sons assumed the government over Opole, was promised to them the possession over Sieradz
and part of Greater Poland
, but the disputes between the Emperor Sigismund and the King Władysław II Jagiełło leave this agreement only in paper.
However, Bernard maintain his fidelity to the House of Luxembourg. In 1424 the Duke of Niemodlin took part in the coronation of Sophia of Halshany
as Queen of Poland and spent some time in Kraków
.
In the 1420s Silesia was shaken by the conflicts with the Hussite
s. In order to stop the inminet advance of the Hussite troops, Bernard and other Silesian rulers made a defensive agreement with Sigismund Korybut
(nephew of King Władysław II Jagiełło) in Strzelin
on 14 February 1427; however, this treaty never was effective because soon after Sigismund was imprisoned, so in 1428 Bernard and his brother Bolko IV made the peace with the Hussites, but this doesn't provide a complete security to their domains. In 1434 Bernard using the confusion reigning in Silesia and purchased with to the Dukes of Brzeg
the towns of Kluczbork
and Byczyna
.
In order to stop the continues conflicts between Silesia and Lesser Poland
in 1434 was performed a Congress of Polish and Silesian rulers in Będzin
, were assisted, among others, Bernard and the Bishop of Kraków, Zbigniew Oleśnicki
where they made the commitment to joint forces to resolve the problem (at the end, the agreement never took place, and the fights continued until 1460 at the latest, with a particular increase during the 1440s).
In 1438 the election of Casimir Jagiełło
as King of Bohemia forced Bernard to paid homage to him, but after the coronation of his competitor Albert of Habsburg
on 3 December 1438 obliged to the Duke of Niemodlin to made another homage in the Congress of Wrocław, this time to the Austrian ruler.
In 1443 Bernard, together with his nephew Bolko V, challenged the legality of the purchase of the Duchy of Siewierz
by the Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki. This led to a new war, who lasted with interruptions until 1452, which resulted in significant destruction on the Silesian-Lesser Poland frontiers (as during 1446-1448 Bernard managed to take control over Będzin
).
Without male heirs —from his marriage with Hedwig z Melsztyna he only had two daughters, Anna and Hedwig, whose nothing more is known except their names— in 1450 Bernard decided to give his Duchies of Niemodlina and Strzelce to his oldest nephew Bolko V in return for the payment of his debts and moved to the small Olesno
. At the same time, Bernard gave up his rights over the Duchy of Opole
to his other nephew, Nicholas I
.
Bernard died between 2 and 4 April 1455, giving the rest of his domains to Bolko V. It's unknown where he was buried.
Strzelce Opolskie
Strzelce Opolskie is a town in south-western Poland with 19,628 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Strzelce County. Strzelce Opolskie is one of the biggest centers of German minority in Poland....
and Niemodlin
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
during 1382-1400 (with his brothers as co-rulers), Duke of Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
during 1396-1400 (with his brother as co-ruler), from 1400 until 1450 sole ruler over Strzelce and Niemodlin, from 1401 ruler over Olesno
Olesno
Olesno is a town in Opole Voivodship, Poland about north-east of the city of Opole. It is the capital of Olesno County and seat of the Gmina Olesno.-History:The area near the ancient Amber Road had been settled since the Neolithic era...
and Lubliniec
Lubliniec
Lubliniec is a town in southern Poland with 29,359 inhabitants . It is the capital of Lubliniec County, part of Silesian Voivodeship ; previously it was in Częstochowa Voivodeship .-Geography:...
, from 1420 ruler over Prudnik
Prudnik
Prudnik is a town in Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship. Its population numbers 26,400 inhabitants . It is the capital of Prudnik County.- Education :* * * II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Prudniku...
and in 1424 ruler over Głogówek, during 1434-1450 ruler over Kluczbork
Kluczbork
Kluczbork is a town in southwestern Poland with 26,670 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Kluczbork County and an important railroad junction. In Kluczbork the major rail line from Katowice splits into two directions - westwards to Wroclaw and northwards to Poznań...
and Byczyna
Byczyna
Byczyna is a town in Kluczbork County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,708 inhabitants .The town of Byczyna was first mention in 1054 when it temporarily served as the capital of the Bishopric of Wrocław...
and from 1450 ruler over only Olesno.
He was the fourth and youngest son of Duke Bolko III of Strzelce by his wife Anna, probably daughter of Duke Jan I of Oświęcim
Jan I the Scholastic
Jan I the Scholastic , was a Duke of Oświęcim from 1324 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Duke Władysław of Oświęcim by his wife Euphrosyne, daughter of Duke Boleslaus II of Masovia.-Life:...
.
Life
At the time of his father'sdeath in 1382 Bernard was a minor and was placed under the care of his uncle Władysław Opolczyk and his older brothers Jan KropidłoJan Kropidło
Jan Kropidło , was Duke of Strzelce 1382–96, Duke of Opole from 1396 , Bishop of Poznań 1382–84, Bishop of Włocławek 1384–89, nominate Archbishop of Gniezno 1389–94, Bishop of Kamień 1394–98, Bishop of Chełmno 1398–1402, and again Bishop of Włocławek 1402 until his death.He was the eldest son of...
and Bolko IV
Bolko IV of Opole
Bolko IV of Opole , was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin during 1382–1400 , Duke of Opole from 1396 ....
. The first appearance of Bernard in the political affairs took place on 6 August 1396, when he was present in the peace talks between the Polish King Władysław II Jagiełło
Jogaila
Jogaila, later 'He is known under a number of names: ; ; . See also: Jogaila : names and titles. was Grand Duke of Lithuania , king consort of Kingdom of Poland , and sole King of Poland . He ruled in Lithuania from 1377, at first with his uncle Kęstutis...
and the Dukes of Opole; in this meeting, was arranged the betrothal of Bernard with Hedwig (died 23 Oct 1424), daughter of Spytko II z Melsztyna, Voivode of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. This engagement was the guarantee that the young Dukes of Opole don't follow the steps of his uncle Władysław Opolczyk against the Kingdom of Poland. As additional security, the districts of Olesno
Olesno
Olesno is a town in Opole Voivodship, Poland about north-east of the city of Opole. It is the capital of Olesno County and seat of the Gmina Olesno.-History:The area near the ancient Amber Road had been settled since the Neolithic era...
and Lubliniec
Lubliniec
Lubliniec is a town in southern Poland with 29,359 inhabitants . It is the capital of Lubliniec County, part of Silesian Voivodeship ; previously it was in Częstochowa Voivodeship .-Geography:...
were promised to the Dukes of Opole as fiefs; but, in absence of male heirs, they reverted to Spytka II's daughters as a dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
.
In 1400 was made the formal division of the Duchy of Opole. Bernard obtained Strzelce
Strzelce Opolskie
Strzelce Opolskie is a town in south-western Poland with 19,628 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Strzelce County. Strzelce Opolskie is one of the biggest centers of German minority in Poland....
and Niemodlin
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
as sole ruler. One year later, in 1401, took place his marriage with Hedwig z Melsztyna and received the formal possession of Olesno and Lubliniec. In 1402 Bernard was recognized as a President of the Silesian states.
In the first years of his rule of Bernard tried to lead a policy of close cooperation with Poland and in 1414 he even participated at the King's side in the war against the Teutonic Order. However, this changed in 1417, when the Dukes of Opole had to faced the pretentions of Dukes Jan I
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...
and Henry IX
Henry IX the Older
Henry IX the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397–1412 , during 1412–17 ruler over Szprotawa, Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and half of Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Szprotawa, half of Głogów, since 1420 ruler over Kożuchów and Zielona Góra, from 1430 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie and...
of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, who claimed rights from their mother Katharina of Opole, daughter of Władysław Opolczyk. The dispute was to be settled on the Prague court, where, for unknown reasons, on 2 July 1417 Bolko IV and Bernard received an adverse ruling and were obliged to give all the inheritance of Władysław Opolczyk to the Dukes of Żagań. The formal approval of this decision by King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia
Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
Wenceslaus ) was, by election, German King from 1376 and, by inheritance, King of Bohemia from 1378. He was the third Bohemian and second German monarch of the Luxembourg dynasty...
was fixed at the beginning of next year (1418), but at the end wasn't performed, and only the death of the King one year later applazed indefinitely the matter. In any event, during the next years and until the ruling was cancelled by the Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
on 16 September 1435, Bernard and Bolko IV have to work closely with the House of Luxembourg in order to gain the Imperial favor.
In 1417 Bernard was a judge in a dispute between the children of Spytko II z Melsztyna about the inheritance of one of his daughters, wife of the eldest son of Duke Janusz I of Warsaw. After the death of Euphemia of Masovia, widow of Władysław Opolczyk by 1424, Bernard and his brother Bolko IV inherited her Oprawa wdowia, Głogówek, which at the end of that year was given to Bolko IV's son, Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite was a Duke of Opole between 1422–1424 , ruler over Głogówek and Prudnik since 1424, Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin from 1450 and ruler over Olesno since 1455....
.
Together with his older brother Bolko IV, Bernard took part in the Congress of Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
in 1423. After Bolko III's sons assumed the government over Opole, was promised to them the possession over Sieradz
Sieradz
Sieradz is a town on the Warta river in central Poland with 44,326 inhabitants . It is situated in the Łódź Voivodship , but was previously the eponymous capital of the Sieradz Voivodship , and historically one of the minor duchies in Greater Poland.It is one of the oldest towns in Poland,...
and part of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
, but the disputes between the Emperor Sigismund and the King Władysław II Jagiełło leave this agreement only in paper.
However, Bernard maintain his fidelity to the House of Luxembourg. In 1424 the Duke of Niemodlin took part in the coronation of Sophia of Halshany
Sophia of Halshany
Sophia of Halshany , was a Lithuanian princess of Halshany, Queen of Poland from , and the last wife of Jogaila.-Biography:...
as Queen of Poland and spent some time in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
In the 1420s Silesia was shaken by the conflicts with 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...
s. In order to stop the inminet advance of the Hussite troops, Bernard and other Silesian rulers made a defensive agreement with Sigismund Korybut
Sigismund Korybut
Sigismund Korybut was a duke from the Gediminid dynasty, best known as a military commander of the Hussite army and a governor of Bohemia and Prague during the Hussite Wars....
(nephew of King Władysław II Jagiełło) in Strzelin
Strzelin
Strzelin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is located on the Oława river, a tributary of the Oder, about south of the region's capital Wrocław. The town is the seat of Strzelin County and also of the smaller municipality of Strzelin...
on 14 February 1427; however, this treaty never was effective because soon after Sigismund was imprisoned, so in 1428 Bernard and his brother Bolko IV made the peace with the Hussites, but this doesn't provide a complete security to their domains. In 1434 Bernard using the confusion reigning in Silesia and purchased with to the Dukes of Brzeg
Brzeg
Brzeg is a town in southwestern Poland with 38,496 inhabitants , situated in Silesia in the Opole Voivodeship on the left bank of the Oder...
the towns of Kluczbork
Kluczbork
Kluczbork is a town in southwestern Poland with 26,670 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Kluczbork County and an important railroad junction. In Kluczbork the major rail line from Katowice splits into two directions - westwards to Wroclaw and northwards to Poznań...
and Byczyna
Byczyna
Byczyna is a town in Kluczbork County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,708 inhabitants .The town of Byczyna was first mention in 1054 when it temporarily served as the capital of the Bishopric of Wrocław...
.
In order to stop the continues conflicts between Silesia and Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
in 1434 was performed a Congress of Polish and Silesian rulers in Będzin
Bedzin
Będzin is a city in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in southern Poland. Located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Czarna Przemsza river , the city borders the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metro area with a population of about 2 million.It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since its...
, were assisted, among others, Bernard and the Bishop of Kraków, Zbigniew Oleśnicki
Zbigniew Olesnicki
Zbigniew Oleśnicki may refer to:* Zbigniew Oleśnicki * Zbigniew Oleśnicki , nephew of cardinal...
where they made the commitment to joint forces to resolve the problem (at the end, the agreement never took place, and the fights continued until 1460 at the latest, with a particular increase during the 1440s).
In 1438 the election of Casimir Jagiełło
Casimir IV Jagiellon
Casimir IV KG of the House of Jagiellon was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440, and King of Poland from 1447, until his death.Casimir was the second son of King Władysław II Jagiełło , and the younger brother of Władysław III of Varna....
as King of Bohemia forced Bernard to paid homage to him, but after the coronation of his competitor Albert of Habsburg
Albert II of Germany
Albert the Magnanimous KG was King of Hungary from 1438 until his death. He was also King of Bohemia, elected King of Germany as Albert II, duke of Luxembourg and, as Albert V, archduke of Austria from 1404.-Biography:Albert was born in Vienna as the son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria, and Johanna...
on 3 December 1438 obliged to the Duke of Niemodlin to made another homage in the Congress of Wrocław, this time to the Austrian ruler.
In 1443 Bernard, together with his nephew Bolko V, challenged the legality of the purchase of the Duchy of Siewierz
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
by the Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki. This led to a new war, who lasted with interruptions until 1452, which resulted in significant destruction on the Silesian-Lesser Poland frontiers (as during 1446-1448 Bernard managed to take control over Będzin
Bedzin
Będzin is a city in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in southern Poland. Located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Czarna Przemsza river , the city borders the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metro area with a population of about 2 million.It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since its...
).
Without male heirs —from his marriage with Hedwig z Melsztyna he only had two daughters, Anna and Hedwig, whose nothing more is known except their names— in 1450 Bernard decided to give his Duchies of Niemodlina and Strzelce to his oldest nephew Bolko V in return for the payment of his debts and moved to the small Olesno
Olesno
Olesno is a town in Opole Voivodship, Poland about north-east of the city of Opole. It is the capital of Olesno County and seat of the Gmina Olesno.-History:The area near the ancient Amber Road had been settled since the Neolithic era...
. At the same time, Bernard gave up his rights over the Duchy of Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
to his other nephew, Nicholas I
Nicholas I of Opole
Nicholas I of Opole was a Duke of Opole since 1437 , Duke of Brzeg from 1450, ruler over Kluczbork since 1451 and Duke of Strzelce, Niemodlin and Olesno from 1460....
.
Bernard died between 2 and 4 April 1455, giving the rest of his domains to Bolko V. It's unknown where he was buried.