Henry VI the Good
Encyclopedia
Henry VI the Good (18 March 1294 – 24 November 1335) was a Duke of Wrocław since 1296 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1311).
He was the second son of Henry V the Fat, Duke of Legnica and Wroclaw, by his wife Elisabeth
, daughter of Boleslaw the Pious, Duke of Greater Poland
.
, which brought Bolesław III into his court in Prague
. Is unknown what happened with Henry during this time.
The first mention of Henry takes place in 1310 when he married the several years older Anna, daughter of Albert I of Habsburg, the ruler of Austria
. A year later, as a result of the pressure of the nobility of both Wrocław and Legnica (tired of the neglected rule of Bolesław III), the Duchy was divided into three parts: Wrocław, Legnica
and Brzeg
. The poorest and least important was Brzeg. In the treaty of division, it was stipulated that the brother who takes this district would also receive from the other two a payment of 50,000 fines. As the oldest, Bolesław III was able to choose first; with financial problems, he unexpectedly took Brzeg and the monetary compensation. As a result, Henry was allowed to take Wrocław. He had no problems with paying the debt to his older brother (thanks to the help of the rich Wrocław patricians) and kept the district. The youngest brother, Władysław, who received Legnica, wasn't able to pay his part of the debt and for this was expelled from his land by Bolesław III.
Between 1312 and 1317, a conflict erupted between Bolesław III and the Dukes of Głogów. Henry and his brother entered into an alliance with the ruler of Lesser Poland, Władysław I the Elbow-high and with their combined forces began an expeditionary trip against Henry III
's sons. As a pretext they used the fact that Henry III was directly responsible for the premature death of Henry V (Henry and Bolesław III's father). In the end, Władysław I the Elbow-high managed to capture almost all of Greater Poland, but his allies only took the towns of Uraz
(which was given to Henry) and Wołów and Lubiąż
(granted to Bolesław III).
In 1314 Henry supported his brother-in-law Frederick the Fair of Austria
in the battle for the throne of Germany
.
The war with Głogów began again in 1321. This time, however, Henry wasn't convinced as to the appropriateness of it, and in 1322 he signed a separated peace with the Głogów Dukes, receiving in return Smogorzew. The agreement was reinforced with the marriage of Henry's eldest daughter Elisabeth to Duke Konrad I of Oleśnica
.
By that time the relations between Henry and his older brother Bolesław III had seriously deteriorated. The reasons for this was Henry's refusal to support the overtly militaristic policy of his brother (as evidenced after he signed a peace with Konrad I of Oleśnica and his brothers) and Bolesław's pretensions to control the rich city of Wrocław. Bolesław even made an official proposal to exchange his district of Legnica for Wrocław. Henry refused this unfavorable transaction. The war between the brothers was imminent.
Henry reestablished contacts with Władysław I the Elbow-high (now King of Poland), and promised him homage and named him his heir in exchange for aid against Bolesław. However, Władysław I feared a direct confrontation with the Kingdom of Bohemia
and declined the offer. Subsequently, Henry asked Emperor Louis IV
for help. On 20 April 1324, the Duke of Wrocław declared himself a vassal of the Empire; in return, Henry gained the right of succession over his lands for his daughters, and as a consequence, the disinheritance of Bolesław III and his descendants. These decision prompted Bolesław to carry out armed attempts to settle the dispute, but finally Bolesław failed due to the powerful walls of Wroclaw.
However, his homage to the Holy Roman Empire did not secure his lands, especially since the fights with Bolesław III continued. To remedy this, in 1325, Henry arranged the marriage of his second daughter Euphemia with Bolesław the Elder
, Duke of Niemodlin (Falkenberg)
. He also entered into an alliance with the Teutonic Order, which was directed against the principal supporter of Bolesław in Silesia, the King of Poland, Władysław I the Elbow-high.
Eventually, under pressure from the Wrocław nobility, Henry opted for an alliance with John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia. The signing of the agreement took place in Wrocław on 6 April 1327. Under the terms of the treaty, Wrocław remained independent, but after the death of Henry would be annexed to the Bohemian Crown. In return for these concessions, Henry obtain from the King the County of Glatz for his lifetime and a high pension.
In the matters of internal policy, Henry was constrained by the powerful Wrocław nobility, who received from him many privileges. His relation with the Church was very firm and tense, and in fact, between 1319-1321 he was excommunicated.
Henry died on 24 November 1335 and was buried in the chapel of St. Hedwig in Wrocław.
(b. Vienna, 1280 – d. Wrocław, 19 March 1327), daughter of Albert I of Habsburg, Duke of Austria
and widow of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel. They had three daughters:
On his death without male heirs and according to the treaty of 1327, Wrocław was merged into the Bohemian crown.
He was the second son of Henry V the Fat, Duke of Legnica and Wroclaw, by his wife Elisabeth
Elisabeth of Greater Poland
Elisabeth of Kalisz was the eldest child of Boleslaw the Pious and his wife Jolenta of Poland. Her younger sister was Jadwiga of Greater Poland.- Marriage :...
, daughter of Boleslaw the Pious, Duke of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
.
Life
Henry's father died in 1296, when Henry was two years old. Because he and his brothers, Bolesław III and Władysław (who was born after their father's death), were minors the regency of their lands was taken over by their mother, the Dowager Duchess Elisabeth (d. 1304) and their paternal uncle Bolko I (d. 1301). Between 1301-02 the official guardianship of Henry V's sons was carried out by Henry of Würben, Bishop of Wroclaw. Finally the authority over the Duchy of Wrocław-Legnica was personally assumed by the King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and PolandPoland
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...
, which brought Bolesław III into his court 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...
. Is unknown what happened with Henry during this time.
The first mention of Henry takes place in 1310 when he married the several years older Anna, daughter of Albert I of Habsburg, the ruler of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. A year later, as a result of the pressure of the nobility of both Wrocław and Legnica (tired of the neglected rule of Bolesław III), the Duchy was divided into three parts: Wrocław, 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...
and 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...
. The poorest and least important was Brzeg. In the treaty of division, it was stipulated that the brother who takes this district would also receive from the other two a payment of 50,000 fines. As the oldest, Bolesław III was able to choose first; with financial problems, he unexpectedly took Brzeg and the monetary compensation. As a result, Henry was allowed to take Wrocław. He had no problems with paying the debt to his older brother (thanks to the help of the rich Wrocław patricians) and kept the district. The youngest brother, Władysław, who received Legnica, wasn't able to pay his part of the debt and for this was expelled from his land by Bolesław III.
Between 1312 and 1317, a conflict erupted between Bolesław III and the Dukes of Głogów. Henry and his brother entered into an alliance with the ruler of Lesser Poland, Władysław I the Elbow-high and with their combined forces began an expeditionary trip against Henry III
Henry III, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Henry III of Głogów was a Duke of Głogów from 1274 to his death and also Duke of parts of Greater Poland during 1306–1309....
's sons. As a pretext they used the fact that Henry III was directly responsible for the premature death of Henry V (Henry and Bolesław III's father). In the end, Władysław I the Elbow-high managed to capture almost all of Greater Poland, but his allies only took the towns of Uraz
Uraz
Uraz may refer to the following places in Poland:*Uraz, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Uraz, West Pomeranian Voivodeship...
(which was given to Henry) and Wołów and Lubiąż
Lubiaz
Lubiąż is a village on the east bank of the Odra River, in the administrative district of Gmina Wołów, within Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It lies approximately south-west of Wołów, and west of the regional capital Wrocław. The village has a population of...
(granted to Bolesław III).
In 1314 Henry supported his brother-in-law Frederick the Fair of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in the battle for the throne of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
The war with Głogów began again in 1321. This time, however, Henry wasn't convinced as to the appropriateness of it, and in 1322 he signed a separated peace with the Głogów Dukes, receiving in return Smogorzew. The agreement was reinforced with the marriage of Henry's eldest daughter Elisabeth to Duke Konrad I of Oleśnica
Konrad I of Olesnica
Konrad I of Oleśnica was a Duke of Żagań, Ścinawa, etc., during 1309–1312 , Duke of Oleśnica, Namysłów, Gniezno and Kalisz during 1312–1313 , Duke of Kalisz during 1313–1314 , Duke of Namysłów since 1313 and Duke of Oleśnica since 1321 until his death .He was the second son...
.
By that time the relations between Henry and his older brother Bolesław III had seriously deteriorated. The reasons for this was Henry's refusal to support the overtly militaristic policy of his brother (as evidenced after he signed a peace with Konrad I of Oleśnica and his brothers) and Bolesław's pretensions to control the rich city of Wrocław. Bolesław even made an official proposal to exchange his district of Legnica for Wrocław. Henry refused this unfavorable transaction. The war between the brothers was imminent.
Henry reestablished contacts with Władysław I the Elbow-high (now King of Poland), and promised him homage and named him his heir in exchange for aid against Bolesław. However, Władysław I feared a direct confrontation with the Kingdom of Bohemia
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...
and declined the offer. Subsequently, Henry asked Emperor Louis IV
Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Louis IV , called the Bavarian, of the house of Wittelsbach, was the King of Germany from 1314, the King of Italy from 1327 and the Holy Roman Emperor from 1328....
for help. On 20 April 1324, the Duke of Wrocław declared himself a vassal of the Empire; in return, Henry gained the right of succession over his lands for his daughters, and as a consequence, the disinheritance of Bolesław III and his descendants. These decision prompted Bolesław to carry out armed attempts to settle the dispute, but finally Bolesław failed due to the powerful walls of Wroclaw.
However, his homage to the Holy Roman Empire did not secure his lands, especially since the fights with Bolesław III continued. To remedy this, in 1325, Henry arranged the marriage of his second daughter Euphemia with 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...
, Duke of Niemodlin (Falkenberg)
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
. He also entered into an alliance with the Teutonic Order, which was directed against the principal supporter of Bolesław in Silesia, the King of Poland, Władysław I the Elbow-high.
Eventually, under pressure from the Wrocław nobility, Henry opted for an alliance with John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia. The signing of the agreement took place in Wrocław on 6 April 1327. Under the terms of the treaty, Wrocław remained independent, but after the death of Henry would be annexed to the Bohemian Crown. In return for these concessions, Henry obtain from the King the County of Glatz for his lifetime and a high pension.
In the matters of internal policy, Henry was constrained by the powerful Wrocław nobility, who received from him many privileges. His relation with the Church was very firm and tense, and in fact, between 1319-1321 he was excommunicated.
Henry died on 24 November 1335 and was buried in the chapel of St. Hedwig in Wrocław.
Marriage and issue
In 1310 Henry married with AnnaAnna of Austria (1275–1327)
Anna of Austria was a daughter of Albert I of Germany and his wife Elisabeth of Tirol. She was a member of the House of Habsburg.- Family :Anna was born in Vienna the eighth of twelve children...
(b. Vienna, 1280 – d. Wrocław, 19 March 1327), daughter of Albert I of Habsburg, Duke of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and widow of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel. They had three daughters:
- Elisabeth (b. ca. 1311 – d. 20 February? 1328), married bef. 10 January 1322 to Duke Konrad I of OleśnicaKonrad I of OlesnicaKonrad I of Oleśnica was a Duke of Żagań, Ścinawa, etc., during 1309–1312 , Duke of Oleśnica, Namysłów, Gniezno and Kalisz during 1312–1313 , Duke of Kalisz during 1313–1314 , Duke of Namysłów since 1313 and Duke of Oleśnica since 1321 until his death .He was the second son...
. - Euphemia (Ofka) (b. ca. 1312 – d. 21 March aft. 1384), married bef. 29 November 1325 to Duke Bolesław the ElderBolesław the ElderBolesław 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...
of NiemodlinNiemodlinNiemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
. - Margareta (b. ca. 1313 – d. 8 March 1379), Abbess of St. Clara in Wrocław (1359).
On his death without male heirs and according to the treaty of 1327, Wrocław was merged into the Bohemian crown.