Henry VI the Older
Encyclopedia
Henry VI the Older (bef. 1345 – 5 December 1393) was a Duke of Żagań
-Głogów since 1368 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1378).
He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron
, Duke of Żagań
-Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock
.
and Henry VIII the Sparrow
. At this time, the Duchy of Żagań was in a tragic financial situation. In order to improve this, Henry V's sons reduced their expenditures to the minimum. Each of them received only 150 fines cash as a rent from the duchy and they only could hold not mare than 20 horses. The situation was aggravated also a result of the continued interference of Emperor Charles IV in the internal affairs of the Silesian Duchies. In 1375, following the Emperor's instructions, the main cities of Góra
, Głogów and Ścinawa
were divided with the Kingdom of Bohemia.
During 1376-1377 Henry VI fell in a sharp conflict with Żagań monasteries, which goods were a rich source of revenue for the Duchy's treasure. In 1378, the Duchy was divided into three parts between the brothers. Henry VI, as the oldest, chose first, taking the most northern part, including the capital, Żagań. The composition of his possessions were also Krosno Odrzańskie
, Nowogród Bobrzański
and Świebodzin
(also, Henry VI use the title of Lord of Żagań and Lubin).
In 1383, together with younger brother Henry VII Rumpold, he made an attempt to recover the town of Wschowa
, who was lost by their father. Shortly after the division of the Duchy, the life and political participation of Henry VI in Silesia was clearly narrowing.
On 10 February 1372 Henry VI married with Hedwig
(b. ca. 1351 - d. 1 August 1409), daughter of Duke Wenceslaus I of Legnica
. The union wasn't successful, and after the premature death of their only daughter, they became separated: Hedwig remained in Żagań and Henry VI moved to Krosno Odrzańskie. Despite this, Henry VI left his wife all his lands as her Oprawa wdowia in his will.
During his stay in Krosno Odrzańskie, Henry VI devoted mainly to the contemplation
and ascetism. He was the only of Henry V's sons who was able to reconciled with the Żagań monasteries Orders.
Henry VI died on 5 December 1393 in Włoszczowa, a village near the Lubin County
. He was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań. His widow Hedwig ruled over Żagań
, Krosno Odrzańskie
and Świebodzin
until 1403, when she finally gave this lands to the sons of the youngest brother of Henry VI, Henry VIII the Sparrow.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
-Głogów since 1368 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1378).
He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron
Henry V of Iron
Henry V of Iron , was a Duke of Żagań since 1342, from 1349 Duke of half-Głogów, and from 1363 Duke of half-Ścinawa.He was the only son of Henry IV the Faithful, Duke of Żagań, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel.-Life:The young Henry V gained his political...
, Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
-Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock
Wenceslaus of Płock
Wenceslaus of Płock was a member of the House of Piast. He was Duke of Płock from 1313 until his death and was a vassal of Bohemia from 1329.- Duke of Płock :...
.
Life
After his father's death in 1369, Henry VI initially ruled jointly with his younger brothers Henry VII RumpoldHenry VII Rumpold
Henry VII Rumpold also known as the Middle or the Greater , was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1368-1378 and since 1378 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański....
and Henry VIII the Sparrow
Henry VIII the Sparrow
Henry VIII the Sparrow was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378 , from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Kożuchów, Przemków and Sulechów, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański.He was the second son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań–Głogów, by...
. At this time, the Duchy of Żagań was in a tragic financial situation. In order to improve this, Henry V's sons reduced their expenditures to the minimum. Each of them received only 150 fines cash as a rent from the duchy and they only could hold not mare than 20 horses. The situation was aggravated also a result of the continued interference of Emperor Charles IV in the internal affairs of the Silesian Duchies. In 1375, following the Emperor's instructions, the main cities of Góra
Góra
Góra is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-west Poland.Góra is also the name of many other places in Poland, including:In Greater Poland Voivodeship :*Góra, Jarocin County...
, Głogów and Ścinawa
Scinawa
Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such...
were divided with the Kingdom of Bohemia.
During 1376-1377 Henry VI fell in a sharp conflict with Żagań monasteries, which goods were a rich source of revenue for the Duchy's treasure. In 1378, the Duchy was divided into three parts between the brothers. Henry VI, as the oldest, chose first, taking the most northern part, including the capital, Żagań. The composition of his possessions were also Krosno Odrzańskie
Krosno Odrzanskie
Krosno Odrzańskie is a city on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. The town in Western Poland with 12,500 inhabitants is the capital of Krosno County...
, Nowogród Bobrzański
Nowogród Bobrzanski
Nowogród Bobrzański is a town on the Bóbr river in Zielona Góra County, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,068 inhabitants . It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański....
and Świebodzin
Swiebodzin
Świebodzin is a town in western Poland with 21,757 inhabitants . It is the capital of Świebodzin CountyIt was formerly part of the Zielona Góra Voivodeship , a reconfiguration of the old German state of Prussia, the eastern 40% of which was inherited by Poland in 1945, and led to the expulsion of...
(also, Henry VI use the title of Lord of Żagań and Lubin).
In 1383, together with younger brother Henry VII Rumpold, he made an attempt to recover the town of Wschowa
Wschowa
Wschowa is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland with 14,607 inhabitants . It is the capital of Wschowa County.-History:Wschowa was originally a border fortress in a region disputed by the Polish dukes of Silesia and Greater Poland. After German colonists had established a settlement nearby,...
, who was lost by their father. Shortly after the division of the Duchy, the life and political participation of Henry VI in Silesia was clearly narrowing.
On 10 February 1372 Henry VI married with Hedwig
Hedwig of Legnica
Hedwig of Legnica was a Polish princess member of the Piast dynasty in the Legnica branch and by marriage Duchess of Żagań....
(b. ca. 1351 - d. 1 August 1409), daughter of 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....
. The union wasn't successful, and after the premature death of their only daughter, they became separated: Hedwig remained in Żagań and Henry VI moved to Krosno Odrzańskie. Despite this, Henry VI left his wife all his lands as her Oprawa wdowia in his will.
During his stay in Krosno Odrzańskie, Henry VI devoted mainly to the contemplation
Contemplation
The word contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplatio. Its root is also that of the Latin word templum, a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship, derived either from Proto-Indo-European base *tem- "to cut", and so a "place reserved or cut out" or...
and ascetism. He was the only of Henry V's sons who was able to reconciled with the Żagań monasteries Orders.
Henry VI died on 5 December 1393 in Włoszczowa, a village near the Lubin County
Lubin County
Lubin County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of...
. He was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań. His widow Hedwig ruled over Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, Krosno Odrzańskie
Krosno Odrzanskie
Krosno Odrzańskie is a city on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. The town in Western Poland with 12,500 inhabitants is the capital of Krosno County...
and Świebodzin
Swiebodzin
Świebodzin is a town in western Poland with 21,757 inhabitants . It is the capital of Świebodzin CountyIt was formerly part of the Zielona Góra Voivodeship , a reconfiguration of the old German state of Prussia, the eastern 40% of which was inherited by Poland in 1945, and led to the expulsion of...
until 1403, when she finally gave this lands to the sons of the youngest brother of Henry VI, Henry VIII the Sparrow.