Duchy of Bernstadt
Encyclopedia
The Duchy of Bernstadt was a Silesian duchy
centred on the city of Bernstadt
(present-day Bierutów) in Lower Silesia
(now in Poland
) and formed by separation from the Duchy of Oels
(Oleśnica). It was first ruled by the Silesian Piasts
dynasty, until its extinction in 1492. In 1495 it and the Duchy of Oels passed to the Dukes of Münsterberg, who came from the House of Poděbrady
. In 1647 the Duchy of Bernstadt passed by marriage to the Dukes of Württemberg.
which had since 1329 been a fief of the Bohemian Crown
. Upon the death of Duke Konrad III the Old
in 1412, it was split off for his first-born son Conrad IV the Elder
, who at first also ruled over the other Oels territories as a regent for his minor brothers until they formally divided their heritage in 1416. The next year, Konrad IV succeeded Wenceslaus II of Liegnitz as Prince-Bishop of Breslau. When he died in 1447, Bernstadt fell back to his younger brother Duke Konrad VII the White
of Oels.
After the Oels branch of the Piast dynasty
died out in 1492, the duchy was seized as a reverted fief by King Vladislaus II of Bohemia
. In 1495, he gave the duchies of Bernstadt and Oels to Duke Henry the Elder of Münsterberg
, a son of the late Bohemian king George of Poděbrady
(d. 1471). Due to lack of money, his heir Duke Charles of Münsterberg and Oels
leased Bernstadt in 1511 for four years the to the City Council of Breslau (Wrocław), afterwards he chose it as his residence.
After Charles' death in 1536, his sons at first ruled jointly until in 1542 they divided their heritage: Duke Henry II
received the Duchy of Bernstadt, while his younger brother John
ruled the Duchy of Oels. Henry II was a supporter of the Protestant Reformation
, which he introduced in Bernstadt. He had Bernstadt Castle restored during his reign, and expanded the south wing. His son Henry III
, Duke of Bernstadt from 1565 sold Bernstadt along with the castle and some villages in 1574 to the von Schindel family.
Henry III's younger brother Duke Charles II of Münsterberg-Oels
, who was Governor of Silesia at the time, bought it back in 1604. He was succeeded as Duke of Bernstadt by his son Henry Wenceslaus
. When Henry Wenceslaus died in 1637, the duchy was inherited by his younger brother Duke Charles Frederick I of Münsterberg-Oels
. The male line of the House of Poděbrady became extinct when Charles Frederick I died in 1647. The duchies of Bernstadt and Oels again reverted to the Bohemian Crown.
Because Charles Frederick's only daughter, Elizabeth Maria
was married with Silvius I Nimrod
, cousin of Duke Eberhard III of Württemberg
, Emperor Ferdinand III
granted Bernstadt and Oels to the Swabia
n House of Württemberg
. Silvius, a devoted Lutheran
, made great efforts to redevelop his estates, that had been devastated during the Thirty Years' War
. The poet Angelus Silesius
worked as his physician until 1652. When Silvius died in 1664, his duchies at first were ruled by his widow as regent for her minor sons, who in 1672 divided the inheritance. The Duchy of Bernstadt fell to Christian Ulrich I
, who rebuilt the city after a fire in 1659 and added a third floor to the castle. Upon the death of his elder brother Duke Sylvius II Frederick in 1697, he took over the Duchy of Oels. His nephew Charles was the last Duke of Bernstadt. He died childless in 1745 and the Duchy fell back to Duke Charles Christian Erdmann of Württemberg-Oels
, who finally re-united the duchies of Bernstadt and Oels under his rule.
In 1742, during the First Silesian War, the Duchy of Bernstadt, like most of Silesia, had been conquered by Prussia
.
Line extinct, duchy seized by Bohemia.
Duchy sold in 1574, re-acquired by
Bernstadt and Oels extinct, again seized by Bohemia.
Bernstadt line extinct, fell back to Oels.
Duchies of Silesia
The Duchies of Silesia resulted from divisions of the original Duchy of Silesia after 1138.In accordance with the last will and testament of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth, the Kingdom of Poland was, upon his death in 1138, divided into five hereditary provinces distributed among his sons, including...
centred on the city of Bernstadt
Bierutów
Bierutów is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Bierutów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
(present-day Bierutów) in Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia ; is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia; Upper Silesia is to the southeast.Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of the medieval Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1526...
(now in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
) and formed by separation from the Duchy of Oels
Duchy of Oels
The Duchy of Oels or Duchy of Oleśnica was one of the duchies of Silesia, with the capital in Oleśnica, Poland.Initially part of the Piast Duchy of Wrocław, the Oleśnica area became part of the Duchy of Głogów in 1294, following an armed conflict between Duke Henry III and Henry V the Fat, Duke of...
(Oleśnica). It was first ruled by the Silesian Piasts
Silesian Piasts
The Silesian Piasts were the oldest line of the Piast dynasty beginning with Władysław II the Exile, son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Duke of Poland...
dynasty, until its extinction in 1492. In 1495 it and the Duchy of Oels passed to the Dukes of Münsterberg, who came from the House of Poděbrady
Podiebrad family
The Bohemian Poděbrady family was a noble family in Bohemia, arising from the Lords of Kunštát. After Boček of Kunštát had acquired the Lordship of Poděbrady by marriage, he called himself "Boček of Kunštát and Poděbrady". The best known member of the family was George of Poděbrady, who was...
. In 1647 the Duchy of Bernstadt passed by marriage to the Dukes of Württemberg.
History
That the Duchy of Bernstadt at first belonged to the Silesian Duchy of OelsDuchy of Oels
The Duchy of Oels or Duchy of Oleśnica was one of the duchies of Silesia, with the capital in Oleśnica, Poland.Initially part of the Piast Duchy of Wrocław, the Oleśnica area became part of the Duchy of Głogów in 1294, following an armed conflict between Duke Henry III and Henry V the Fat, Duke of...
which had since 1329 been a fief of the Bohemian Crown
Kingdom of Bohemia
The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and...
. Upon the death of Duke Konrad III the Old
Konrad III the Old
Konrad III the Old was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa since 1377 ....
in 1412, it was split off for his first-born son Conrad IV the Elder
Konrad IV the Older
Konrad IV the Older was a Duke of Oels , Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1412–1416 , since 1416 sole ruler over Kąty , Bierutów, Prudnik and Syców and since 1417 Bishop of Wroclaw and Duke of Nysa.He was the eldest son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of Oleśnica, by his wife Judith...
, who at first also ruled over the other Oels territories as a regent for his minor brothers until they formally divided their heritage in 1416. The next year, Konrad IV succeeded Wenceslaus II of Liegnitz as Prince-Bishop of Breslau. When he died in 1447, Bernstadt fell back to his younger brother Duke Konrad VII the White
Konrad VII the White
Konrad VII the White , was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1416-1427 , sole Duke of Koźle and half of Bytom during 1427-1450, Duke of Oleśnica during 1421-1450 and sole Duke of half of Ścinawa during 1447-1450.He was the fourth son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of...
of Oels.
After the Oels branch of the Piast dynasty
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...
died out in 1492, the duchy was seized as a reverted fief by King Vladislaus II of Bohemia
Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary
Vladislaus II, also known as Ladislaus Jagiellon ; was King of Bohemia from 1471 and King of Hungary from 1490 until his death in 1516...
. In 1495, he gave the duchies of Bernstadt and Oels to Duke Henry the Elder of Münsterberg
Henry I, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Henry the Elder of Münsterberg was an Imperial Count and Count of Kladsko. He was also Duke of Silesian duchies Münsterberg and Oels and 1465–1472 Duke of Opava...
, a son of the late Bohemian king George of Poděbrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...
(d. 1471). Due to lack of money, his heir Duke Charles of Münsterberg and Oels
Charles I, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Charles I, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels was a member of the House of Poděbrady. He was Duke of Münsterberg and Duke of Oels as well as Count of Kladsko...
leased Bernstadt in 1511 for four years the to the City Council of Breslau (Wrocław), afterwards he chose it as his residence.
After Charles' death in 1536, his sons at first ruled jointly until in 1542 they divided their heritage: Duke Henry II
Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Henry II of Münsterberg-Oels was from 1536 to 1542 Duke of Münsterberg and of Oels and from 1542 to 1548 Duke of Bernstadt...
received the Duchy of Bernstadt, while his younger brother John
John, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
John of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of the Münsterberg from 1542 to 1565, Duke of Oels from 1548 to 1565 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1548 to 1565. He also held the title of Count of Glatz.- Life :Johann Berger family was a member of the Münsterberg branch of the noble Poděbrady family...
ruled the Duchy of Oels. Henry II was a supporter of the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, which he introduced in Bernstadt. He had Bernstadt Castle restored during his reign, and expanded the south wing. His son Henry III
Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Henry III of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Münsterberg from 1565 to 1574 and Duke of Bernstadt...
, Duke of Bernstadt from 1565 sold Bernstadt along with the castle and some villages in 1574 to the von Schindel family.
Henry III's younger brother Duke Charles II of Münsterberg-Oels
Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Charles II of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Oels from 1565 to 1617 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1604 to 1617. He also hald the titles of Duke of Münsterberg and Count of Glatz...
, who was Governor of Silesia at the time, bought it back in 1604. He was succeeded as Duke of Bernstadt by his son Henry Wenceslaus
Henry Wenceslaus, Duke of Oels-Bernstadt
Henry Wenceslaus, Duke of Oels-Bernstadt was Duke of Bernstadt from 1617 until his death...
. When Henry Wenceslaus died in 1637, the duchy was inherited by his younger brother Duke Charles Frederick I of Münsterberg-Oels
Charles Frederick I, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels
Charles Frederick I of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Oels from 1617 to 1647 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1639 to 1647...
. The male line of the House of Poděbrady became extinct when Charles Frederick I died in 1647. The duchies of Bernstadt and Oels again reverted to the Bohemian Crown.
Because Charles Frederick's only daughter, Elizabeth Maria
Elisabeth Marie, Duchess of Oels
Elisabeth Marie of Oels was a member of the House of Poděbrady and a regent of the Duchy of Oels.- Life :...
was married with Silvius I Nimrod
Silvius I Nimrod, Duke of Württemberg-Oels
Silvius I Nimrod, Duke of Württemberg-Oels was the first Duke of Oels-Wuerttemberg.- Life :...
, cousin of Duke Eberhard III of Württemberg
Eberhard III, Duke of Württemberg
Eberhard III, Duke of Württemberg ruled as Duke of Württemberg from 1628 until his death in 1674....
, Emperor Ferdinand III
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III was Holy Roman Emperor from 15 February 1637 until his death, as well as King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria.-Life:...
granted Bernstadt and Oels to the Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
n House of Württemberg
House of Württemberg
The Württemberg family is a European royal family and a German dynasty from Württemberg. The House has its origins, according to recent research, probably in the vicinity of the Salian dynasty.-History:...
. Silvius, a devoted Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
, made great efforts to redevelop his estates, that had been devastated during the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. The poet Angelus Silesius
Angelus Silesius
Angelus Silesius was a German Catholic mystic and poet.-Life:Silesius was born in Breslau , Silesia as son of Polish noble and German mother...
worked as his physician until 1652. When Silvius died in 1664, his duchies at first were ruled by his widow as regent for her minor sons, who in 1672 divided the inheritance. The Duchy of Bernstadt fell to Christian Ulrich I
Christian Ulrich I, Duke of Württemberg-Oels
Duke Christian Ulrich I of Württemberg-Oels was Duke of the Oels-Württemberg.- Descent :...
, who rebuilt the city after a fire in 1659 and added a third floor to the castle. Upon the death of his elder brother Duke Sylvius II Frederick in 1697, he took over the Duchy of Oels. His nephew Charles was the last Duke of Bernstadt. He died childless in 1745 and the Duchy fell back to Duke Charles Christian Erdmann of Württemberg-Oels
Charles Christian Erdmann, Duke of Württemberg-Oels
Karl Christian Erdmann of Württemberg-Oels was ruling duke of Württemberg-Oels and Bernstadt....
, who finally re-united the duchies of Bernstadt and Oels under his rule.
In 1742, during the First Silesian War, the Duchy of Bernstadt, like most of Silesia, had been conquered by Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
.
Silesian Piasts
- Conrad IV of OelsKonrad IV the OlderKonrad IV the Older was a Duke of Oels , Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1412–1416 , since 1416 sole ruler over Kąty , Bierutów, Prudnik and Syców and since 1417 Bishop of Wroclaw and Duke of Nysa.He was the eldest son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of Oleśnica, by his wife Judith...
(1412-1447), Bishop of Breslau from 1417- Konrad VII the WhiteKonrad VII the WhiteKonrad VII the White , was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1416-1427 , sole Duke of Koźle and half of Bytom during 1427-1450, Duke of Oleśnica during 1421-1450 and sole Duke of half of Ścinawa during 1447-1450.He was the fourth son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of...
(1447-1450), brother, Duke of Oels since 1412
- Konrad VII the White
- Konrad IX the BlackKonrad IX the BlackKonrad IX the Black was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa since 1450 , and since 1452 sole ruler over Oleśnica, Koźle and half of Bytom....
(1450-1471), nephew, Duke of Oels- Konrad X the WhiteKonrad X the WhiteKonrad X the White was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, and half of both Bytom and Ścinawa during 1450–1452 , since 1452 sole ruler over half of Ścinawa, during 1471–1472 sole ruler over Koźle and whole Bytom, and since 1478 sole ruler over Oleśnica.He was the second son of Konrad V Kantner, Duke of...
(1471-1492), brother, Duke of Oels
- Konrad X the White
Line extinct, duchy seized by Bohemia.
Podiebrad family
- Henry the ElderHenry I, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry the Elder of Münsterberg was an Imperial Count and Count of Kladsko. He was also Duke of Silesian duchies Münsterberg and Oels and 1465–1472 Duke of Opava...
(1495-1498), Duke of Münsterberg since 1462 - CharlesCharles I, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles I, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels was a member of the House of Poděbrady. He was Duke of Münsterberg and Duke of Oels as well as Count of Kladsko...
(1498-1536), son, Duke of Münsterberg and Oels - Henry IIHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II of Münsterberg-Oels was from 1536 to 1542 Duke of Münsterberg and of Oels and from 1542 to 1548 Duke of Bernstadt...
(1536-1548), son, Duke of Münsterberg and Oels until 1542 - Henry IIIHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Münsterberg from 1565 to 1574 and Duke of Bernstadt...
(1548-1587), son- JohnJohn, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsJohn of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of the Münsterberg from 1542 to 1565, Duke of Oels from 1548 to 1565 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1548 to 1565. He also held the title of Count of Glatz.- Life :Johann Berger family was a member of the Münsterberg branch of the noble Poděbrady family...
(1548-1565), his uncle, Duke of Münsterberg and Oels, as regent
- John
Duchy sold in 1574, re-acquired by
- Charles IICharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Oels from 1565 to 1617 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1604 to 1617. He also hald the titles of Duke of Münsterberg and Count of Glatz...
(1604-1617), brother of Henry III, Duke of Oels since 1565 - Henry WenceslausHenry Wenceslaus, Duke of Oels-BernstadtHenry Wenceslaus, Duke of Oels-Bernstadt was Duke of Bernstadt from 1617 until his death...
(1617-1639), son- Charles FrederickCharles Frederick I, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles Frederick I of Münsterberg-Oels was Duke of Oels from 1617 to 1647 and Duke of Bernstadt from 1639 to 1647...
(1639-1647), brother, Duke of Oels since 1617
- Charles Frederick
Bernstadt and Oels extinct, again seized by Bohemia.
House of Württemberg
- Silvius I NimrodSilvius I Nimrod, Duke of Württemberg-OelsSilvius I Nimrod, Duke of Württemberg-Oels was the first Duke of Oels-Wuerttemberg.- Life :...
(1648-1664), son-in-law of Charles Frederick- Christian, Duke of Brieg, 1664-1669, regent
- Christian Ulrich IChristian Ulrich I, Duke of Württemberg-OelsDuke Christian Ulrich I of Württemberg-Oels was Duke of the Oels-Württemberg.- Descent :...
(1669-1697), son of Silvius Nimrod, Duke of Oels from 1697 - Charles (1697-1745), nephew
Bernstadt line extinct, fell back to Oels.