Bolko II of Opole
Encyclopedia
Bolko II of Opole was a Duke of Opole
since 1313 (with his brother as co-ruler until 1323).
He was the second son of Duke Bolko I of Opole
by his wife Agnes, probably a daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg.
inherited the Duchy of Opole as co-rulers; but because at that time both were probably minors, they were placed under the care of their older brother, Bolesław the Elder
. Bolko II assumed full government over his domains in 1323, and made the formal division of the Duchy with his brother Albert: he received Strzelce Opolskie
and Bolko II retained the main city of Opole.
Thanks to his marriage to Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
, Bolko II had a temporary close connection with the Polish King Władysław I the Elbow-high (paternal grandfather of his wife). However, this alliance was short-lived: on 5 April 1327 in Wrocław, he paid homage to King John of Bohemia; he was the last Silesian Duke who became a vassal of Bohemia.
During his rule in Opole, Bolko II focused on the economical development of his domains. He introduced German laws (see Magdeburg Law) in the villages; also, he supported trade
and took care of the state of roads, in order to maintain the safety of travelers.
The good economy of his Duchy was used by Bolko II to obtain more lands: in 1351 he bought the towns of Byczyna
and Kluczbork
from Duke Wenceslaus I of Legnica
and the district of Sławięcice from Duke Bolesław of Bytom
.
Bolko II was particularly attached to the Franciscan
monastery of Opole. Inside the monastery, he built the Chapel of St. Anna, which became the Family vault of the Dukes of Opole. When Bolko II died on 21 June 1356, he was buried there.
(ca. 1315 – 8/9 February 1348), daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
. They had seven children:
Bolko married a second time to a woman whose name is not recorded. The result of his union was a daughter Agnes, who married Jobst of Moravia
.
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...
since 1313 (with his brother as co-ruler until 1323).
He was the second son of Duke Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole , was a Duke of Opole from 1282 , Niemodlin and Strzelce Opolskie until his death.He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.-Life:Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of...
by his wife Agnes, probably a daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg.
Life
At the time of his father's death in 1313, Bolko II and his youngest brother AlbertAlbert 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...
inherited the Duchy of Opole as co-rulers; but because at that time both were probably minors, they were placed under the care of their older brother, Bolesław the Elder
Bolesław the Elder
Bolesław the Elder , was a Duke of Wieluń during 1313-1326, Duke of Niemodlin from 1313 and ruler over Prudnik since 1336 until his death.He was the eldest son of Duke Bolko I of Opole by his wife Agnes, probably daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg...
. Bolko II assumed full government over his domains in 1323, and made the formal division of the Duchy with his brother Albert: he received Strzelce Opolskie
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 Bolko II retained the main city of Opole.
Thanks to his marriage to 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...
, Bolko II had a temporary close connection with the Polish King Władysław I the Elbow-high (paternal grandfather of his wife). However, this alliance was short-lived: on 5 April 1327 in Wrocław, he paid homage to King John of Bohemia; he was the last Silesian Duke who became a vassal of Bohemia.
During his rule in Opole, Bolko II focused on the economical development of his domains. He introduced German laws (see Magdeburg Law) in the villages; also, he supported trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
and took care of the state of roads, in order to maintain the safety of travelers.
The good economy of his Duchy was used by Bolko II to obtain more lands: in 1351 he bought the towns of 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 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...
from Duke Wenceslaus I of Legnica
Wenceslaus I of Legnica
Wenceslaus I of Legnica was a Duke of Namysłów since 1338 and of Legnica-Brieg since 1342 until his death, but with further divisions with his brother Louis I....
and the district of Sławięcice from Duke Bolesław of Bytom
Bolesław of Bytom
Bolesław of Bytom , was a Duke of Koźle from 1347 and Duke of Bytom since 1352 until his death.He was the second son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the eldest by his second wife Ludgarda, daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg and Lord of Stargard.-Life:After the death of his elder...
.
Bolko II was particularly attached to 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....
monastery of Opole. Inside the monastery, he built the Chapel of St. Anna, which became the Family vault of the Dukes of Opole. When Bolko II died on 21 June 1356, he was buried there.
Marriage and issue
By 6 May 1326, Bolko II married ElisabethElisabeth of Świdnica
Elisabeth of Świdnica was a member of the Piast dynasty in the Świdnica-Jawor branch and by marriage Duchess of Opole....
(ca. 1315 – 8/9 February 1348), 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...
. They had seven children:
- Władysław Opolczyk (c. 1332 - 18 May 1401).
- Bolko III (c. 1337 - 21 October 1382).
- HenryHenry of OpoleHenry 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...
(before 18 August 1338 - before 23 October 1365). - Kunigunde (1340 - after 4 July 1372), a nun at St. Klara in HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
(Alt-Buda). - Agnes (c. 1341? - after 1 June 1390), a nun at Stary SączStary SaczStary Sącz - is a town in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland, seat of the municipality Stary Sącz. It's a one of the oldest towns in Poland, founded in 13th century.- Geography :...
. - Elisabeth (c. 1342/47? - after 25 April 1382), a nun at 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...
. - Anna (c. 1348? - after 12 March 1411), a nun at St. Klara at Wrocław.
Bolko married a second time to a woman whose name is not recorded. The result of his union was a daughter Agnes, who married Jobst of Moravia
Jobst of Moravia
Jobst of Moravia, Jobst von Mähren from the House of Luxembourg was the eldest son of Margrave John Henry of Moravia, the younger brother of Emperor Charles IV....
.