Bolko III of Strzelce
Encyclopedia
Bolko III of Strzelce (ca. 1337 – 21 October 1382) was a Duke of Opole during 1356–1370 (with his brothers as co-rulers) and Duke of Strzelce
from 1375 until his death.
He was the second son of Duke Bolko II of Opole
by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
.
inherited Opole
as co-rulers; however, the full government was held by the oldest brother, Władysław Opolczyk.
The independent rule of Bolko III began only around 1375, when he inherited Strzelce
after the death of his uncle Albert
without male issue. During his reign, he didn't play any political role.
Bolko III spent much of his time at the courts of King Charles
in Prague
and King Louis I in Buda
. In 1355, Bolko III, with several other Silesian Dukes, went to Italy
with King Charles of Bohemia, who came to Rome
for his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor
; ten years later, in 1365, he made a journey from Luxembourg
to Avignon
, and in 1377, together with King Louis I of Hungary and Władysław Opolczyk, he made a military expedition to Bełz.
Bolko III died on 21 September 1382 and was buried in the Franciscan
chapel of St. Anna in Opole
.
Because at the time of Bolko III's death his sons were minors, their guardianship was held by his uncle Władysław Opolczyk.
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....
from 1375 until his death.
He was the second son of Duke Bolko II of Opole
Bolko II of Opole
Bolko II of Opole , was a Duke of Opole since 1313 .He was the second son of Duke Bolko I of Opole by his wife Agnes, probably a daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg.-Life:...
by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
Bernard of Świdnica
Bernard of Świdnica was a Duke of Jawor-Lwówek-Świdnica-Ziębice during 1301–1312 , of Świdnica-Ziębice during 1312–1322 , and sole Duke of Świdnica since 1322 until his death.He was the second son of Bolko I the Strict, Duke of Jawor-Lwówek-Świdnica-Ziębice, by his wife Beatrix, daughter of Otto V...
.
Life
After his father's death in 1356, Bolko III and his brothers Władysław Opolczyk and HenryHenry of Opole
Henry of Opole , was a Duke of Opole since 1356 until his death.He was the third and youngest son of Duke Bolko II of Opole by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica.-Life:Little is known about his life...
inherited 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...
as co-rulers; however, the full government was held by the oldest brother, Władysław Opolczyk.
The independent rule of Bolko III began only around 1375, when he inherited 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....
after the death of his uncle Albert
Albert of Strzelce
Albert of Strzelce , was a Duke of Opole during 1313-1323 and Duke of Strzelce since 1323 until his death.He was the third and youngest son of Duke Bolko I of Opole by his wife Agnes, probably daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg...
without male issue. During his reign, he didn't play any political role.
Bolko III spent much of his time at the courts of King Charles
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and King Louis I in Buda
Buda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
. In 1355, Bolko III, with several other Silesian Dukes, went to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
with King Charles of Bohemia, who came 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...
for his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
; ten years later, in 1365, he made a journey from Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
to Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
, and in 1377, together with King Louis I of Hungary and Władysław Opolczyk, he made a military expedition to Bełz.
Bolko III died on 21 September 1382 and was buried in the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
chapel of St. Anna in 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...
.
Marriage and issue
By 1355, Bolko III married a certain Anna (b. ca. 1340? - d. 8 April 1378), whose origins are unknown. They had five children:- Jan KropidłoJan KropidłoJan 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...
(b. 1360/64 - d. 3 March 1421). - Bolko IVBolko IV of OpoleBolko IV of Opole , was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin during 1382–1400 , Duke of Opole from 1396 ....
(b. 1363/67 - d. 6 May 1437). - Henry IIHenry II of NiemodlinHenry II of Niemodlin was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin since 1382 until his death ....
(b. 1374 - d. 22 December 1394). - BernardBernard of NiemodlinBernard of Niemodlin , was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin during 1382-1400 , Duke of Opole during 1396-1400 , 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...
(b. 1374/78 - d. 2/4 April 1455). - Anna (b. bef. 8 April 1378 - d. 2 December 1455), Abbess of TrzebnicaTrzebnicaTrzebnica is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Trzebnica County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Trzebnica. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
(1428).
Because at the time of Bolko III's death his sons were minors, their guardianship was held by his uncle Władysław Opolczyk.