Jan I of Zagan
Encyclopedia
Jan I of Żagań (ca. 1385 – 12 April 1439) was a Duke of Żagań
-Głogów, since 1397 (until 1412 with his brothers as co-rulers), since 1403 Duke of Żagań
, Krosno Odrzańskie
and Świebodzin
(again, until 1412 with his brothers as co-rulers) and since 1412 sole ruler of Żagań
and Przewóz
.
He was the eldest son of Henry VIII the Sparrow
, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke Władysław of Opole.
took the regency of Głogów until 1401, when Jan I formally assumed the guardianship over his younger brothers Henry IX the Older
, Henry X Rumpold
and Wenceslaus
and began his personal rule in Szprotawa
, Przemków
, Sulechów
, half of Głogów, and Bytom Odrzański
.
In 1403 their aunt Hedwig of Legnica (Henry VI the Older
's widow) renounced to her Oprawa wdowia (Żagań
, Krosno Odrzańskie
and Świebodzin
) to Jan I and his brothers, who ruled jointly all the lands. Thanks to the Privilege of Elector
Rudolf III of Saxony
in 1408 he could maintain the unity of his Duchy, despite the protest of his brothers, who claimed their own districts. Ultimately, the division was made in 1412: Jan I retain Żagań
, and one year later (in 1413) he also took possession over the Duchy of Przewóz
, in the Polish-German borderline (obtained as a result of his marriage with Scholastika, daughter of Elector Rudolph III).
After the extinction of the main branch of the Dukes of Legnica
in 1419, Jan I played an important role at the request of many of the cities of Lower Silesia
: he presided the initiative of creating an organization to fight against the gangs of robbers whose regular attack in the roads, cities and monasteries.
Jan I performed faithfully his duties as vassal of Bohemia, and therefore in 1420 he took part in the expedition of Emperor Sigismund
against the Hussites, and on July 28 of that year he assisted to his coronation as King of Bohemia in Prague
.
Three years later, John participated together with his brothers in the negotiations between the Emperor and Teutonic Knights
in Preszburg (now Bratislava
), where was decided an eventual war against Poland. However, given the growing difficulties of the Emperor with the Hussites and the Teutonic Knights's requests for the city of Kežmarok
in exchange for his help, this meeting was unsuccessfully.
Continued from husytami struggle occurred in the years 1427-1428, when together with his brother Henryk Senior IX supported militarily threatened Łużyckie City (1 November 1428 the brothers defeated the Hussite troops at the Battle of Kratzau).
In 1429 Jan I went with the Emperor to Łuck, Lithuania
, where he took part in the congress were was decided the coronation of Vytautas the Great
as King. At the same time, in connection with the growing power of the Hussites, the Duke of Żagań decided to pay them high contributions, which was to ensure the safety of his lands.
However, since some time ago, Jan I began to secretly promote the Hussite movement and his revolucionary ideals. On 19 April 1433, together with his brother Henry IX the Older and the Dukes of Oleśnica, he went on tour to Kalisz
, where he promised to the Polish King Władysław II Jogaila
his participation in the proposed expedition against the Hussites of Krzyżakom (these actions may be, however, a simple desire to safeguard his Duchy against the Hussites in case of a war).
After the death of Emperor Sigismund, Jan I stood on the side of his son-in-law Albert V of Habsburg
, and on 3 December 1438 he paid tribute to him in Wroclaw
. AQs a reward of his loyalty, the new King gave Jan I many benefits, including the right of minting coins in the cities of Szprotawa and Żagań.
Jan I had a radical and oppressive rule against his subjects, which led to a conflict with the Augustinian Order in Żagań. At some point, he even captured and imprisoned the Abbot of the monastery, for which he was excommunicated. Because of these events, in contemporary sources he was considered a cruel man and even a sadist
, as was further described in the "Roczniku Głogowskim": when he had sexual relations with his wife he tend to sharpen his spurs. Finally, unable to withstand the brutal treatment of her husband, Scholastika attempted to escape from Żagań. However, she was captured and confined by order of her husband in Nowogród Bobrzański
without the right to return to the castle or the capital of the Duchy.
Jan I died on 12 April 1439, was buried in Ducal mausoleum of the Augustinian church in Żagań.
and Elector of Saxony. They had ten children:
Scholastika never leave Nowogród Bobrzański, because in her husband's will, she was granted with this land as her Oprawa wdowia, who ruled until her death.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
-Głogów, since 1397 (until 1412 with his brothers as co-rulers), since 1403 Duke of 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...
(again, until 1412 with his brothers as co-rulers) and since 1412 sole ruler of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
and Przewóz
Przewóz
Przewóz is a village in Żary County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It lies on the Lusatian Neisse river, which marks the border with Germany. Przewóz is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Przewóz. It lies approximately south-west of Żary and south-west of Zielona Góra.The village has...
.
He was the eldest son of 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...
, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke Władysław of Opole.
Life
At the time of Henry VIII's death (14 March 1397) his sons were minors. Duke Rupert I of LegnicaRupert I of Legnica
Rupert I of Legnica was a Duke of Legnica since 1364 until his death, and also regent over half of the Duchy of Głogów-Żagań during 1397–1401....
took the regency of Głogów until 1401, when Jan I formally assumed the guardianship over his younger brothers Henry IX the Older
Henry IX the Older
Henry IX the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397–1412 , during 1412–17 ruler over Szprotawa, Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and half of Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Szprotawa, half of Głogów, since 1420 ruler over Kożuchów and Zielona Góra, from 1430 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie and...
, Henry X Rumpold
Henry X Rumpold
Henry X Rumpold also known as the Younger , was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 and since 1412 ruler over Głogów ....
and Wenceslaus
Wenceslaus of Krosno
Wenceslaus of Krosno , a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 , during 1412-17 ruler over Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and Bytnica....
and began his personal rule in Szprotawa
Szprotawa
Szprotawa is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Żagań County. It has 12,648 inhabitants .- History :The first information about the terrains of today's Szprotawa comes at 1000 from the chronicle of bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who accompanied the emperor Otto III on pilgrimage to the...
, Przemków
Przemków
Przemków is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Przemków. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
, Sulechów
Sulechów
Sulechów is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Zielona Góra County. It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Sulechów.-History:The area by 990 had been conquered by Duke Mieszko I of Poland and from 1138 was part of the Duchy of Silesia....
, half of Głogów, and Bytom Odrzański
Bytom Odrzanski
Bytom Odrzański is a town on the Oder river in western Poland, in Nowa Sól County of Lubusz Voivodeship.-History:Archaeological findings from the Stone Age and Bronze Age around Bytom suggest a early settlement. A Slavic gród is mentioned in 1005...
.
In 1403 their aunt Hedwig of Legnica (Henry VI the Older
Henry VI the Older
Henry VI the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów since 1368 .He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań-Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock....
's widow) renounced to her Oprawa wdowia (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...
) to Jan I and his brothers, who ruled jointly all the lands. Thanks to the Privilege of Elector
Prince-elector
The Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century onwards, directly the Holy Roman Emperor.The heir-apparent to a prince-elector was known as an...
Rudolf III of Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
in 1408 he could maintain the unity of his Duchy, despite the protest of his brothers, who claimed their own districts. Ultimately, the division was made in 1412: Jan I retain Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, and one year later (in 1413) he also took possession over the Duchy of Przewóz
Przewóz
Przewóz is a village in Żary County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It lies on the Lusatian Neisse river, which marks the border with Germany. Przewóz is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Przewóz. It lies approximately south-west of Żary and south-west of Zielona Góra.The village has...
, in the Polish-German borderline (obtained as a result of his marriage with Scholastika, daughter of Elector Rudolph III).
After the extinction of the main branch of the Dukes 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...
in 1419, Jan I played an important role at the request of many of the cities of 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...
: he presided the initiative of creating an organization to fight against the gangs of robbers whose regular attack in the roads, cities and monasteries.
Jan I performed faithfully his duties as vassal of Bohemia, and therefore in 1420 he took part in the expedition of Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
against the Hussites, and on July 28 of that year he assisted to his coronation as King of Bohemia 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...
.
Three years later, John participated together with his brothers in the negotiations between the Emperor and Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
in Preszburg (now Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
), where was decided an eventual war against Poland. However, given the growing difficulties of the Emperor with the Hussites and the Teutonic Knights's requests for the city of Kežmarok
Kežmarok
Kežmarok is a town in the Spiš region of eastern Slovakia , on the Poprad River.-History:...
in exchange for his help, this meeting was unsuccessfully.
Continued from husytami struggle occurred in the years 1427-1428, when together with his brother Henryk Senior IX supported militarily threatened Łużyckie City (1 November 1428 the brothers defeated the Hussite troops at the Battle of Kratzau).
In 1429 Jan I went with the Emperor to Łuck, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, where he took part in the congress were was decided the coronation of Vytautas the Great
Vytautas the Great
Vytautas ; styled "the Great" from the 15th century onwards; c. 1350 October 27, 1430) was one of the most famous rulers of medieval Lithuania. Vytautas was the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania which chiefly encompassed the Lithuanians and Ruthenians...
as King. At the same time, in connection with the growing power of the Hussites, the Duke of Żagań decided to pay them high contributions, which was to ensure the safety of his lands.
However, since some time ago, Jan I began to secretly promote the Hussite movement and his revolucionary ideals. On 19 April 1433, together with his brother Henry IX the Older and the Dukes of Oleśnica, he went on tour to Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
, where he promised to the Polish King Władysław II Jogaila
Jogaila
Jogaila, later 'He is known under a number of names: ; ; . See also: Jogaila : names and titles. was Grand Duke of Lithuania , king consort of Kingdom of Poland , and sole King of Poland . He ruled in Lithuania from 1377, at first with his uncle Kęstutis...
his participation in the proposed expedition against the Hussites of Krzyżakom (these actions may be, however, a simple desire to safeguard his Duchy against the Hussites in case of a war).
After the death of Emperor Sigismund, Jan I stood on the side of his son-in-law Albert V of Habsburg
Albert II of Germany
Albert the Magnanimous KG was King of Hungary from 1438 until his death. He was also King of Bohemia, elected King of Germany as Albert II, duke of Luxembourg and, as Albert V, archduke of Austria from 1404.-Biography:Albert was born in Vienna as the son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria, and Johanna...
, and on 3 December 1438 he paid tribute to him in Wroclaw
Wroclaw
Wrocław , situated on the River Oder , is the main city of southwestern Poland.Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia and is today the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of either Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, but since 1945...
. AQs a reward of his loyalty, the new King gave Jan I many benefits, including the right of minting coins in the cities of Szprotawa and Żagań.
Jan I had a radical and oppressive rule against his subjects, which led to a conflict with the Augustinian Order in Żagań. At some point, he even captured and imprisoned the Abbot of the monastery, for which he was excommunicated. Because of these events, in contemporary sources he was considered a cruel man and even a sadist
Sadism and masochism as medical terms
In psychiatry, the terms sadism and masochism describe a personality type characterized by the actor or actrix deriving pleasure and gratification from inflicting physical pain and humiliation ; and from suffering pain and humiliation upon the self ; such pleasure often is sexual, but not...
, as was further described in the "Roczniku Głogowskim": when he had sexual relations with his wife he tend to sharpen his spurs. Finally, unable to withstand the brutal treatment of her husband, Scholastika attempted to escape from Żagań. However, she was captured and confined by order of her husband in 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....
without the right to return to the castle or the capital of the Duchy.
Jan I died on 12 April 1439, was buried in Ducal mausoleum of the Augustinian church in Żagań.
Marriage and issue
By 1405, Jan I married with Scholastika (b. ca. 1393 - d. 12 May 1461), daughter of Rudolf III, Duke of Saxe-WittenbergRudolf III, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg
Duke Rudolf III of Saxe-Wittenberg was a member of the House of Ascania and Elector of Saxony. He ruled Saxe-Wittenberg from 1388-1419.- Life :...
and Elector of Saxony. They had ten children:
- Anna (b. ca. 1408 - d. bef. 4 November 1437), married by 1424 to Count Albert VIII of Lindow-Ruppin.
- Hedwig (b. ca. 1410 - d. Bernburg, 14 May 1497), married on 11 March 1434 to Prince Bernhard VI of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.He was the eldest son of Otto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his first unknown wife.-Life:...
. - BalthasarBalthasar of ZaganBalthasar of Żagań , was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Żagań. Deposed during 1461-1468, he recovered the Duchy in this year until shortly before his death....
(b. ca. 1415 - d. Przewóz, 15 July 1472). - RudolfRudolf of ZaganRudolf of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Żagań ....
(b. ca. 1418 - killed in battle, Chojnice, 18 September 1454). - Margareta (b. ca. 1425 - d. Salzderhelden, aft. 9 May 1491), married firstly by 1435 to Count Volrad II of Mansfeld, secondly in 1450 Count Henry XI of Honstein-Wittenberg and thirdly bef. 20 June 1457 to Duke Henry III of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry III of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry III, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg , of the House of Welf, was a Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg ruling the ducal Principality of Grubenhagen between 1427 and 1464.- Life :...
. - Barbara (b. ca. 1426 - d. by 28 July 1476).
- Scholastika (b. ca. 1428 - d. bef. 1489).
- Agnes (b. ca. 1430 - d. by 6 December 1473).
- WenceslausWenceslaus of ZaganWenceslaus of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Przewóz ....
(b. ca. 1434 - d. 29 April 1488). - Jan II the MadJan II the MadJan 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...
(b. 16 April 1435 - d. 22 September 1504).
Scholastika never leave Nowogród Bobrzański, because in her husband's will, she was granted with this land as her Oprawa wdowia, who ruled until her death.