Jan of Scinawa
Encyclopedia
JohnJohn was a Duke of Żagań
, Ścinawa
, etc. during 1309-1317 (with his brothers as co-rulers), Duke of Poznań
during 1312-1314 (with his brothers) and sole Duke of Ścinawa since.
He was the fourth son of Henry III (I)
, Duke of Głogów, by his wife Matilda
, daughter of Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
.
.
On 29 February 1312 was made the first division of the Duchy, under which John, Henry IV and Przemko II received Żagań
, Ścinawa
and Poznań
; also, they received the promise of inheritance over Głogów after the death of their mother Matilda, who held this land as her dower
. The rest of the lands were taken by his other brothers Conrad I
and Bolesław.
The period of joint rule of the princes faced several difficulties, the most importante of them was the loss of part of Greater Poland
in favor of Władysław I the Elbow-high. At the same time they also lost part of the territories acquired by the father to the Dukes of Legnica
.
In 1317, John received from his brother Henry IV the districts of Ścinawa, Góra
and Lubin
as his own independent Duchy.
In the internal politics, John's participation was almost null. The Duke of Ścinawa interferences were exclusively in contact with his brothers. On 29 July 1326 Jan concluded a treaty with Henry IV and the childless Przemko II according to which if one of them died without male issue, the other two inherited his land. At the same time, due to his hostile relations with the Dukes of Legnica, John made contacts with Poland.
In 1328, John supported the inhabitants of Brzeg-Legnica in the fight against Bolesław III the Generous and Henry VI the Good
; however, this war caused significant areas of devastation outside Lower Silesia
.
On 29 April 1329, John succumbed to the pressures from the King John of Bohemia and paid homage to him in Wroclaw
. The Bohemian King, however, guaranteed to him the right to decided the fate of his lands without the consent of his brothers.
At the beginning of 1331 Przemko II of Głogów died, probably poisoned by his vassals. According to the treaty signed between the brothers in 1326, all his lands (with the exception of the city of Głogów, who passed to Przemko II's widow Constance as her dower) were divided between John and Henry IV. Unexpectedly, these plans were changed by King John, who shortly after invaded Głogów and took control over the Duchy, forced Constance to flee and John to sold him for 2,000 pieces of silver his rights over the half of Przemko II's lands. At the same time, Władysław I the Elbow-high take advantage with the reigning confusion and occupied the Greater Poland lands who still remained under the hands of Henry III's sons after 1314. Despite the interference of King John, the Duke of Ścinawa participated in his expedition against Poland and in the unsuccessful siege of Poznań.
In order to prevent that John could sold Ścinawa to Bohemia, on 25 July 1334 Henry IV and Conrad I entered into an arrangement with him, under which John was forbidden to sold any part of Ścinawa without the consent of his brothers. Despite this John, with constant financial problems, tried to sell his Duchy. On 29 January 1336, during a visit to Prague
, John decided to transfer Ścinawa after his death to King John in exchange for the rule over Głogów during his lifetime. Only the strong protests of his brothers eventually caused the annulment of the treaty with Bohemia. However, Henry IV and Conrad I couldn't stop John when he pledged Lubin
to Bolesław III the Generous.
In order to avoid sells or divisions, on 27 August 1337, Henry IV and Conrad I purchased to John all his Duchy of Ścinawa, but he could retain the sovereignty during his life. The sell was confirmed by the King of Bohemia. The price, however, was decided by King John, and was the abandonment of the previously pledged Lubin. Despite all these efforts to maintain the unity of the Duchy, shortly after, and probably with the consent of the brothers, John sold the Bohemia Góra Śląska (the town was soon recovered in unknown circumstances, and re-sold in 1345 for 1,500 fines).
During the 1340s, 1350s and 1360s, John sold his Duchy piece after piece first to his brother Henry IV and later to his son Henry V of Iron
. And so in 30 April 1341 he sold Wschowa
to Henry V, in 1353 the castle of Ryczyn
, half of Ścinawa and the territory between the Odra River and Barycz
in 1358 and Polkowice
in 1361.
In 1343, during the war between Henry V and King Casimir III the Great, John supported militarily his nephew, so that when the Polish army entered in Silesia, Ścinawa was sieged and plundered.
By 14 January 1316, John married Margaret (b. 1286/88 - d. bef. 25 July 1334), daughter of Bogislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania
, and widow of Nikolaus the Child, Lord of Rostock. They had no children.
John died between 1361 and 1365 and was buried in the monastery of Lubiąż
. After his death his lands were divided between his brother Conrad I and his nephew Henry V.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, 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...
, etc. during 1309-1317 (with his brothers as co-rulers), Duke of Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
during 1312-1314 (with his brothers) and sole Duke of Ścinawa since.
He was the fourth son of Henry III (I)
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....
, Duke of Głogów, by his wife Matilda
Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg was a German princess, member of the House of Welf and by marriage Duchess of Glogów, Ścinawa, etc....
, daughter of Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Albert the Tall , of the House of Welf, was Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg from 1252 to 1269 and the first ruler of the newly created Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel from 1269 until his death.-Life:...
.
Life
At the time of his father's death, John was still a minor, and therefore he remained under the care of mother and his older brother Henry IV the FaithfulHenry IV the Faithful
Henry IV the Faithful was a Duke of Żagań and parts of Greater Poland from 1309 until 1317 , Duke of Głogów from 1318 until 1321 and sole ruler over Żagań from 1321 until his death.He was the oldest son of Henry III , Duke of Głogów, by...
.
On 29 February 1312 was made the first division of the Duchy, under which John, Henry IV and Przemko II received Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, 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...
and Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
; also, they received the promise of inheritance over Głogów after the death of their mother Matilda, who held this land as her dower
Dower
Dower or morning gift was a provision accorded by law to a wife for her support in the event that she should survive her husband...
. The rest of the lands were taken by his other brothers Conrad I
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...
and Bolesław.
The period of joint rule of the princes faced several difficulties, the most importante of them was the loss of part 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...
in favor of Władysław I the Elbow-high. At the same time they also lost part of the territories acquired by the father to 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 1317, John received from his brother Henry IV the districts of Ścinawa, 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...
and Lubin
Lubin
Lubin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. From 1975–1998 it belonged to the former Legnica Voivodeship. Lubin is the administrative seat of Lubin County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Lubin, although it is not part of the territory of the latter,...
as his own independent Duchy.
In the internal politics, John's participation was almost null. The Duke of Ścinawa interferences were exclusively in contact with his brothers. On 29 July 1326 Jan concluded a treaty with Henry IV and the childless Przemko II according to which if one of them died without male issue, the other two inherited his land. At the same time, due to his hostile relations with the Dukes of Legnica, John made contacts with Poland.
In 1328, John supported the inhabitants of Brzeg-Legnica in the fight against Bolesław III the Generous and Henry VI the Good
Henry VI the Good
Henry VI the Good was a Duke of Wrocław since 1296 ....
; however, this war caused significant areas of devastation outside 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...
.
On 29 April 1329, John succumbed to the pressures from the King John of Bohemia and paid homage 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...
. The Bohemian King, however, guaranteed to him the right to decided the fate of his lands without the consent of his brothers.
At the beginning of 1331 Przemko II of Głogów died, probably poisoned by his vassals. According to the treaty signed between the brothers in 1326, all his lands (with the exception of the city of Głogów, who passed to Przemko II's widow Constance as her dower) were divided between John and Henry IV. Unexpectedly, these plans were changed by King John, who shortly after invaded Głogów and took control over the Duchy, forced Constance to flee and John to sold him for 2,000 pieces of silver his rights over the half of Przemko II's lands. At the same time, Władysław I the Elbow-high take advantage with the reigning confusion and occupied the Greater Poland lands who still remained under the hands of Henry III's sons after 1314. Despite the interference of King John, the Duke of Ścinawa participated in his expedition against Poland and in the unsuccessful siege of Poznań.
In order to prevent that John could sold Ścinawa to Bohemia, on 25 July 1334 Henry IV and Conrad I entered into an arrangement with him, under which John was forbidden to sold any part of Ścinawa without the consent of his brothers. Despite this John, with constant financial problems, tried to sell his Duchy. On 29 January 1336, during a visit to 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...
, John decided to transfer Ścinawa after his death to King John in exchange for the rule over Głogów during his lifetime. Only the strong protests of his brothers eventually caused the annulment of the treaty with Bohemia. However, Henry IV and Conrad I couldn't stop John when he pledged Lubin
Lubin
Lubin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. From 1975–1998 it belonged to the former Legnica Voivodeship. Lubin is the administrative seat of Lubin County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Lubin, although it is not part of the territory of the latter,...
to Bolesław III the Generous.
In order to avoid sells or divisions, on 27 August 1337, Henry IV and Conrad I purchased to John all his Duchy of Ścinawa, but he could retain the sovereignty during his life. The sell was confirmed by the King of Bohemia. The price, however, was decided by King John, and was the abandonment of the previously pledged Lubin. Despite all these efforts to maintain the unity of the Duchy, shortly after, and probably with the consent of the brothers, John sold the Bohemia Góra Śląska (the town was soon recovered in unknown circumstances, and re-sold in 1345 for 1,500 fines).
During the 1340s, 1350s and 1360s, John sold his Duchy piece after piece first to his brother Henry IV and later to his son 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...
. And so in 30 April 1341 he sold 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,...
to Henry V, in 1353 the castle of Ryczyn
Ryczyn
Ryczyn is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Borzytuchom, within Bytów County, Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northern Poland. It lies approximately north-west of Borzytuchom, north-west of Bytów, and west of the regional capital Gdańsk....
, half of Ścinawa and the territory between the Odra River and Barycz
Barycz
The Barycz is a river in Greater Poland and Lower Silesian Voivodeships in western Poland. It is a right tributary of the Oder River. The river course roughly marked the northern border of the historic region of Lower Silesia with Greater Poland....
in 1358 and Polkowice
Polkowice
Polkowice is a town in south-western Poland with 22,279 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
in 1361.
In 1343, during the war between Henry V and King Casimir III the Great, John supported militarily his nephew, so that when the Polish army entered in Silesia, Ścinawa was sieged and plundered.
By 14 January 1316, John married Margaret (b. 1286/88 - d. bef. 25 July 1334), daughter of Bogislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania
Bogislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania
Bogislaw IV , of the Griffins dynasty, was Duke of Pomerania for thirty years.Bogislaw was the eldest son of Duke Barnim I by his first wife, sometimes said to be a daughter of King Eric X of Sweden. He was an adult at his father's death in 1278, having been co-ruler since 1276...
, and widow of Nikolaus the Child, Lord of Rostock. They had no children.
John died between 1361 and 1365 and was buried in the monastery of 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...
. After his death his lands were divided between his brother Conrad I and his nephew Henry V.