Frederick III of Legnica
Encyclopedia
Frederick III of Legnica (22 February 1520 – 15 December 1570) was a Duke of Legnica
during 1547–1551 and 1556–1559 (both times was deposed by Habsburg
s Emperors Charles V and Ferdinand I).
He was the eldest son of Frederick II
, Duke of Legnica
-Brzeg
, by his second wife Sophie, daughter of Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
.
Since the beginning of his reign he sided against the rule of Emperor Charles V, joined to the Coalition of Protestant rebel princes and made an alliance with the long-time enemy of the Habsburgs, King Henry II of France
. This behavior motivated the invasion of Charles V to the Duchy of Legnica and the formal deposition of Frederick III in 1551. His eldest son Henry XI was made new Duke, but, still a minor, was cared under the regency of his uncle George II of Brzeg.
The abdication of Charles V in 1556 changed Frederick III's situation; the new Emperor, Ferdinand I, restored him in Legnica after his formal promise of obedience and loyalty to him.
Unfortunately, Frederick III's conduct forced the Emperor to depose him for a second time (27 October 1559), this time for good. Henry XI was placed again as a Duke of Legnica and Frederick III was placed under house arrest until his death in Legnica eleven years later.
on 3 March 1538, Frederick III married Katharina (14 April 1518 – 17 November 1581), daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They had six children:
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
during 1547–1551 and 1556–1559 (both times was deposed by Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
s Emperors Charles V and Ferdinand I).
He was the eldest son of Frederick II
Frederick II of Legnica
Frederick II of Legnica , also known as the Great of Legnica , was a Duke of Legnica from 1488 , of Brzeg from 1521...
, Duke of Legnica
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
-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...
, by his second wife Sophie, daughter of Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Frederick I of Ansbach and Bayreuth was born at Ansbach as the eldest son of the Albert III, Margrave of Brandenburg by his second wife Anna, daughter of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony. His elder half-brother was the Elector Johann Cicero of Brandenburg...
.
Life
After the death of his father in 1547, Frederick III succeeded him in Legnica. His younger brother George II (George II the Pious) took possession of Brzeg.Since the beginning of his reign he sided against the rule of Emperor Charles V, joined to the Coalition of Protestant rebel princes and made an alliance with the long-time enemy of the Habsburgs, King Henry II of France
Henry II of France
Henry II was King of France from 31 March 1547 until his death in 1559.-Early years:Henry was born in the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, the son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany .His father was captured at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 by his sworn enemy,...
. This behavior motivated the invasion of Charles V to the Duchy of Legnica and the formal deposition of Frederick III in 1551. His eldest son Henry XI was made new Duke, but, still a minor, was cared under the regency of his uncle George II of Brzeg.
The abdication of Charles V in 1556 changed Frederick III's situation; the new Emperor, Ferdinand I, restored him in Legnica after his formal promise of obedience and loyalty to him.
Unfortunately, Frederick III's conduct forced the Emperor to depose him for a second time (27 October 1559), this time for good. Henry XI was placed again as a Duke of Legnica and Frederick III was placed under house arrest until his death in Legnica eleven years later.
Marriage and issue
In LegnicaLegnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
on 3 March 1538, Frederick III married Katharina (14 April 1518 – 17 November 1581), daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They had six children:
- Henry XIHenry XI of LegnicaHenry XI of Legnica , was a thrice Duke of Legnica: 1551-1556 , 1559–1576 and 1580-1581.He was the eldest son of Frederick III, Duke of Legnica, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.-Early years:...
(b. Schloss Liegnitz, 23 February 1539 – d. Krakow, 3 March 1588). - Sophie (b. 15 April 1541 – d. 7 August 1542).
- Katharina (b. 7 February 1542 – d. 3 September 1569), married on 28 December 1563 to Frederick Casimir of CieszynFrederick Casimir of CieszynFrederick Casimir of Cieszyn also known as of Frysztat , was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast in the Cieszyn branch and ruler over Fryštát, Skoczów , and Bielsko ....
. - Frederick (b. 29 August 1543 – d. bef. 1551).
- Helena (b. March 1545/47 – d. 16 September 1583), married in 1568 to Siegmund II of Kurzbach-Militsch, Baron of Trachenberg.
- Frederick IVFrederick IV of LegnicaFrederick IV of Liegnitz was Duke of Liegnitz since 1571 until his death ....
(b. 20 April 1552 – d. 27 March 1596).