Constance of Świdnica
Encyclopedia
Constance of Świdnica was a member of the Piast dynasty
in the Świdnica
-Jawor
branch and by marriage Duchess of Głogów.
She was the second child but eldest daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
by his wife Kunigunde
, daughter of Władysław I the Elbow-high, later King of Poland.
After five years of childless union, Przemko II died suddenly on 11 January 1331, allegedly poisoned by his own vassals. The late Duke's three surviving brothers, divided Przemko II's lands between them. Constance received the city of Glogów
as her Oprawa wdowia, according to her late husband's will. Soon after, she entered the Poor Clares monastery of Stary Sącz
, where she became Abbess.
(one of Przemko II's brothers) was compelled to sold his rights over half of the Duchy to the Bohemian King for 2,000 fines.
Constance was virtually leave without financial support after the lost of her lands; however, her situation soon changed: firstly, when she received a rent by her lands and later in 1336, when her grandmother Queen Jadwiga
settled her residence definitely in Stary Sącz and took the veil. The Queen clearly favored her granddaughter, supported her in all ways.
After almost thirty years, in 1360, the Bohemian Kingdom finally recognized Constance's rights as widow of Przemko II. She received half of Głogów as her Oprawa wdowia (the other half was already given to the Dukes of Żagań in 1349). Constance ruled effectively for only one year: in 1361 she renounced to her lands on behalf of her brother Bolko II the Small.
Constance died on 21 November 1363 and was buried in the monastery of Stary Sącz. After almost 150 years of separation, all the Duchy of Glogów was reunited in 1480 by Duke Jan II the Mad
.
Piast dynasty
The Piast dynasty was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. It began with the semi-legendary Piast Kołodziej . The first historical ruler was Duke Mieszko I . The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir the Great...
in the Świdnica
Swidnica
Świdnica is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship...
-Jawor
Jawor
Jawor is a town in south-western Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship . It is the seat of Jawor County, and lies approximately west of the regional capital Wrocław.In the town can be found a Protestant Church of Peace...
branch and by marriage Duchess of Głogów.
She was the second child but eldest 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...
by his wife Kunigunde
Kunigunde of Poland
Kunigunde of Poland was a daughter of Władysław I the Elbow-high and his wife Jadwiga of Greater Poland. Her siblings included, Casimir III of Poland and Elisabeth, Queen of Hungary. She was a member of the House of Piast.- Biography :...
, daughter of Władysław I the Elbow-high, later King of Poland.
Marriage
In March 1326, Constance had married with Duke Przemko II of Głogów. This union brought Przemko II closer to Constance's powerful grandfather, Władysław I the Elbow-high.After five years of childless union, Przemko II died suddenly on 11 January 1331, allegedly poisoned by his own vassals. The late Duke's three surviving brothers, divided Przemko II's lands between them. Constance received the city of Glogów
Glogów
Głogów is a town in southwestern Poland. It is the county seat of Głogów County, in Lower Silesian Voivodeship , and was previously in Legnica Voivodeship . It is also the administrative seat of Gmina Głogów, although it is not part of its territory...
as her Oprawa wdowia, according to her late husband's will. Soon after, she entered the Poor Clares monastery of Stary Sącz
Stary Sacz
Stary 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 :...
, where she became Abbess.
Widowhood
In September 1331, King John of Bohemia began his siege of the Duchy. By October, he had snached the city of Głogów. Constance was forced to refuge in the court of his grandparents, the Polish King and Queen, and Jan of ŚcinawaJan of Scinawa
John was a Duke of Żagań, Ścinawa, etc. during 1309-1317 , Duke of Poznań during 1312-1314 and sole Duke of Ścinawa since....
(one of Przemko II's brothers) was compelled to sold his rights over half of the Duchy to the Bohemian King for 2,000 fines.
Constance was virtually leave without financial support after the lost of her lands; however, her situation soon changed: firstly, when she received a rent by her lands and later in 1336, when her grandmother Queen Jadwiga
Jadwiga of Greater Poland
Hedwig of Kalisz was the second of three daughters, born to Boleslaw the Pious and Jolenta of Poland. Her paternal grandparents were Ladislaus Odonic Plwacz and Jadwiga of Pomerania, her maternal grandparents were Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. Her elder sister was Elisabeth of Greater...
settled her residence definitely in Stary Sącz and took the veil. The Queen clearly favored her granddaughter, supported her in all ways.
After almost thirty years, in 1360, the Bohemian Kingdom finally recognized Constance's rights as widow of Przemko II. She received half of Głogów as her Oprawa wdowia (the other half was already given to the Dukes of Żagań in 1349). Constance ruled effectively for only one year: in 1361 she renounced to her lands on behalf of her brother Bolko II the Small.
Constance died on 21 November 1363 and was buried in the monastery of Stary Sącz. After almost 150 years of separation, all the Duchy of Glogów was reunited in 1480 by Duke 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...
.
Sources
- Complete Genealogy of the House of Piast
- SILESIA
- Genealogy of the Dukes of Świdnica
- Chronological Dates in Stoyan
- This article incorporates text translated from Polish Wikipedia