John II of Rosenberg
Encyclopedia
John II of Rosenberg was a member of the House of Rosenberg
. He was Landeshauptmann
of Silesia
, and High Chamberlain in Bohemia
.
. His father had abdicated in 1451, during his lifetime, and transferred his possessions to his sons. The eldest son Henry IV was to represent his younger brothers John and Jost II. Jost II, being the second son, had joined the clergy, so when Henry IV died in 1457, John came to rule the Rosenberg estates. Kind Ladislaus the Posthumous appointed him as Landeshauptmann
of Silesia
in that same year. After Ladislaus's death in November 1457, John continued to serve as under the new king, George of Poděbrady
. John had supported George's election, even though John was a devout Catholic and George was a Hussite
. This led to clashed with John's father Ulrich II. It has been suggested that George may have bought John's vote, since he was a principal creditor of the Rosenberg estates.
At George's request, John and his army fought the battle of Jihlava
. They won and on 15 November 1458 a piece treaty was signed, which obligated the City of Jihlava to pay tibute to King George.
The Rosenberg estates were heavily in debt, due to ongoing armed conflict and due to the conflicts fought during his father's reign. John had to pawn or sell several properties. On 4 March 1458, he pledged the castle and lordship of Helfenburk
to John Popel of Lobkowicz. Later he sold Helfenburk to Mikuláš Přechov of Čestic, from whom he bought it back when his financial situation had improved. In 1464, he had to sell the town and castle of Rosemberg
to John Popel of Lobkowicz. On 31 August 1459, he pledged a large part of his possessions to his brother Jost II, though this may have been a sham transaction to confirm the solvency of the Rosenbergs.
In April 1459, John participated as advisor to the king in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Eger
, with, among others, Albrecht Achilles of Brandenburg, Elector Palatine Frederick I
, William III of Thuringia and Frederick II
. Among other issues, this treaty clarified the onwership of the lands of the Bohemian Crown
in Germany.
Pope Pius II
had allowed the Hussite
George of Poděbrady to be King of Bohemia, in the interest of European peace. In 1464, Pius II died and his successor, Pope Paul II
, declared George a heretic
. This was the start of a political and religious conflict. Sixteen of the most influential Catholic aristocrats in Bohemia, John and Jost II were among them, gathered on 28 November 1465 at Zelená Hora Castle, which was owned by Zdeněk of Sternberg. They founded the Zelená Hora Alliance, led by Zdeněk and wrote a pamphlet accusing George of violating the law of the land. It is not known why John sided with George's opponents at this stage; he may have been influence by hist brother Jost. When John saw the intransigence and unwillingness to compromise on the part of the Catholic alliance against the king, he joined the Royalists again, in 1466.
In Mau 1466, he brother Jost invited him to switch to the Catholic Alliance again, or else Jost would assert his claims on the possessions John had pledged to him, back in 1459. Hilerius of Litomerice, the administrator of the Archdiocese of Prague, also called upon John to switch sides. In the spring on 1467, Zdeněk of Sternberg and Henry IV of Neuhaus
declared war on the King. In May 1467, they demanded that John choose their side. He refused, and acted as envoy of the King to Emperor Frederick III
later that year.
In July 1467, John besieged Jindřichův Hradec, but he received no support from the King. In the meantime, the Catholic Alliance began to destroy his property. In September 1467, John gave in, and began negotiating with the Alliance. He alos asked to pope to lift his excommunication
. In early October, he signed a preliminary peace treaty with Zdeněk of Sternberg and Henry IV of Neuhaus.
In a letter dated 13 April 1468, John attacked Emperor Frederick and threatened to defend his possessions against the continuing Austrian attacks. The Emperor and the Pope supported the Catholic Alliance's continuing attacks against the Rosenbergs. After John's army was weakened and his finances were running low, he agreed in the summer of 1468 to hold peace negotiations with the Alliance. On 31 August 1468 he finally committed himself to comply with the terms then had been negotiated on 22 August 1468 in Olomouc
in the presence of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus and to secede from King George.
Already in September and October 1468, the armies royal of King George of Poděbrady devastated many of John's possessions. Other nobles saw an opportunity to enrich themselves and invaded John's lands. John lost large parts of his possessions until 1470. He had to pledge the remaining possessions to fund his defensive wars. His arch-enemy of Zdeněk Sternberg conquered Soběslav
and Choustník Castle. Zdeněk quartered Polish soldiers there, who began to raid the area. The Castle of Rosenberg, which John had pledged to John Popel of Lobkowicz in 1464, was conquered by Zdeněk of Sternberg in 1469. John Popel of Lobkowicz and his son Děpolt were captured and were held prisoner in Český Krumlov Castle
.
On 3 May 1469, Matthias Corvinus proclaimed himself to be King of Bohemia. Later that month, he appointed John II as High Treasurer of Bohemia. After George of Poděbrady died in 1471, John received from Matthias Corvinus the Lordships of Bechyně
and Kouřim
and territories along the Vltava
.
John wrote his first testament in 1457. In 1467, he wrote a second testament. He wrote the third and last on 8 November 1472, the day he died, in Ortenburg in Bavaria. In this testament, he appointed Reinprecht of Walsee and Bernard of Schaumburg as guardians of his children, who were still minors. He probably was in Ortenburg to visit the Count of Ortenburg
.
Ten years later, John's son and successor Wok II of Rosenberg married Margaret, the daughter of Burian II of Guttenstein, who was then High Treasurer of Bohemia, and Sidonie of Ortenburg.
John was buried in the family tomb in the church of Vyšší Brod Monastery
.
of Glogau. They had four sons and six daughters:
House of Rosenberg
The Rosenberg family was the most significant and influential Bohemian noble family playing important role in Czech medieval history from 13th century till 1611...
. He was Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann is a former German gubernatorial title equivalent to that of a governor of a province or a state....
of Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, and High Chamberlain in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
.
Life
His parents were Ulrich II of Rosenberg and Catherine Wartenberg. From March 1445 to April 1446, John held several posts at the court of the Duke Henry XVI of Bavaria-LandshutBavaria-Landshut
-History:The creation of the duchy was the result of the death of Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian. In the Treaty of Landsberg 1349, which divided up Louis's empire, his sons Stephen, William, and Albert were to receive jointly Lower Bavaria and the Netherlands. Four years later the inheritance was...
. His father had abdicated in 1451, during his lifetime, and transferred his possessions to his sons. The eldest son Henry IV was to represent his younger brothers John and Jost II. Jost II, being the second son, had joined the clergy, so when Henry IV died in 1457, John came to rule the Rosenberg estates. Kind Ladislaus the Posthumous appointed him as Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann is a former German gubernatorial title equivalent to that of a governor of a province or a state....
of Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
in that same year. After Ladislaus's death in November 1457, John continued to serve as under the new king, George of Poděbrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...
. John had supported George's election, even though John was a devout Catholic and George was a Hussite
Hussite
The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus , who became one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation...
. This led to clashed with John's father Ulrich II. It has been suggested that George may have bought John's vote, since he was a principal creditor of the Rosenberg estates.
At George's request, John and his army fought the battle of Jihlava
Jihlava
Jihlava is a city in the Czech Republic. Jihlava is a centre of the Vysočina Region, situated on the Jihlava river on the ancient frontier between Moravia and Bohemia, and is the oldest mining town in the Czech Republic, ca. 50 years older than Kutná Hora.Among the principal buildings are the...
. They won and on 15 November 1458 a piece treaty was signed, which obligated the City of Jihlava to pay tibute to King George.
The Rosenberg estates were heavily in debt, due to ongoing armed conflict and due to the conflicts fought during his father's reign. John had to pawn or sell several properties. On 4 March 1458, he pledged the castle and lordship of Helfenburk
Helfenburk
Helfenburk is a castle ruin 5.5 km from town Bavorov in Czech Republic. It is situated on the stone hill Malošín at 683 m under the sea level. Between municipalities Koječín and Štětín there is paved road that leads to the castle.- History :...
to John Popel of Lobkowicz. Later he sold Helfenburk to Mikuláš Přechov of Čestic, from whom he bought it back when his financial situation had improved. In 1464, he had to sell the town and castle of Rosemberg
Rožmberk nad Vltavou
Rožmberk nad Vltavou is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 330 inhabitants. The village is most known for nearby Rožmberk Castle....
to John Popel of Lobkowicz. On 31 August 1459, he pledged a large part of his possessions to his brother Jost II, though this may have been a sham transaction to confirm the solvency of the Rosenbergs.
In April 1459, John participated as advisor to the king in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Eger
Treaty of Eger
The Treaty of Eger was concluded on 25 April 1459 in Eger . The treaty established the border between Bohemia and the Electorate of Saxony on the heights of the Ore Mountains and the middle of the River Elbe. This border remains largely unchanged today...
, with, among others, Albrecht Achilles of Brandenburg, Elector Palatine Frederick I
Frederick I, Elector Palatine
Frederick I, the Victorious was a Count Palatine of the Rhine and Elector Palatine from the House of Wittelsbach in 1451 - 1476....
, William III of Thuringia and Frederick II
Frederick II, Elector of Saxony
Frederick II was Elector of Saxony and was Landgrave of Thuringia .-Biography:...
. Among other issues, this treaty clarified the onwership of the lands of the Bohemian Crown
Lands of the Bohemian Crown
The Lands of the Bohemian Crown , also called the Lands of the Crown of Saint Wenceslas or simply the Bohemian Crown or Czech Crown lands , refers to the area connected by feudal relations under the joint rule of the Bohemian kings...
in Germany.
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
had allowed the Hussite
Hussite
The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus , who became one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation...
George of Poděbrady to be King of Bohemia, in the interest of European peace. In 1464, Pius II died and his successor, Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
, declared George a heretic
Heretic
A heretic is a person who commits heresy.In literature:* Heretic, an autobiography of Peter Cameron* Heretic , the third volume in The Grail Quest series by Bernard CornwellIn music:...
. This was the start of a political and religious conflict. Sixteen of the most influential Catholic aristocrats in Bohemia, John and Jost II were among them, gathered on 28 November 1465 at Zelená Hora Castle, which was owned by Zdeněk of Sternberg. They founded the Zelená Hora Alliance, led by Zdeněk and wrote a pamphlet accusing George of violating the law of the land. It is not known why John sided with George's opponents at this stage; he may have been influence by hist brother Jost. When John saw the intransigence and unwillingness to compromise on the part of the Catholic alliance against the king, he joined the Royalists again, in 1466.
In Mau 1466, he brother Jost invited him to switch to the Catholic Alliance again, or else Jost would assert his claims on the possessions John had pledged to him, back in 1459. Hilerius of Litomerice, the administrator of the Archdiocese of Prague, also called upon John to switch sides. In the spring on 1467, Zdeněk of Sternberg and Henry IV of Neuhaus
Henry IV of Neuhaus
Henry IV of Neuhaus , was a member of the Telč branch of the noble von Neuhaus family. He was High Treasurer of Bohemia from 1485 to 1503 Highest and 1503-1507 Burgrave of Prague Castle.- Life :His parents were John of Neuhaus and Telč and Catherine of Sternberg...
declared war on the King. In May 1467, they demanded that John choose their side. He refused, and acted as envoy of the King to Emperor Frederick III
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
later that year.
In July 1467, John besieged Jindřichův Hradec, but he received no support from the King. In the meantime, the Catholic Alliance began to destroy his property. In September 1467, John gave in, and began negotiating with the Alliance. He alos asked to pope to lift his excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
. In early October, he signed a preliminary peace treaty with Zdeněk of Sternberg and Henry IV of Neuhaus.
In a letter dated 13 April 1468, John attacked Emperor Frederick and threatened to defend his possessions against the continuing Austrian attacks. The Emperor and the Pope supported the Catholic Alliance's continuing attacks against the Rosenbergs. After John's army was weakened and his finances were running low, he agreed in the summer of 1468 to hold peace negotiations with the Alliance. On 31 August 1468 he finally committed himself to comply with the terms then had been negotiated on 22 August 1468 in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
in the presence of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus and to secede from King George.
Already in September and October 1468, the armies royal of King George of Poděbrady devastated many of John's possessions. Other nobles saw an opportunity to enrich themselves and invaded John's lands. John lost large parts of his possessions until 1470. He had to pledge the remaining possessions to fund his defensive wars. His arch-enemy of Zdeněk Sternberg conquered Soběslav
Sobeslav
Soběslav is a town in the Czech Republic situated on the river Lužnice, 7 km northern from Veselí nad Lužnicí and 18 km southern from Tábor. In 2005 its recorded population was 7,286...
and Choustník Castle. Zdeněk quartered Polish soldiers there, who began to raid the area. The Castle of Rosenberg, which John had pledged to John Popel of Lobkowicz in 1464, was conquered by Zdeněk of Sternberg in 1469. John Popel of Lobkowicz and his son Děpolt were captured and were held prisoner in Český Krumlov Castle
Český Krumlov Castle
Český Krumlov Castle is located in the city Český Krumlov. It dates back to 1240 when the first castle was built by the Witigonen family, the main branch of the powerful Rosenberg family. By the 17th century the Rosenbergs had died out and the dominion of Krumau was given to Hans Ulrich von...
.
On 3 May 1469, Matthias Corvinus proclaimed himself to be King of Bohemia. Later that month, he appointed John II as High Treasurer of Bohemia. After George of Poděbrady died in 1471, John received from Matthias Corvinus the Lordships of Bechyně
Bechyne
Bechyně , is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on the Lužnice River 20 km southwest of Tábor and has a population of 5,695 ....
and Kouřim
Kourim
Kouřim is a small town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It is located 45 km east of Prague and has a population of 1,769 ....
and territories along the Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
.
John wrote his first testament in 1457. In 1467, he wrote a second testament. He wrote the third and last on 8 November 1472, the day he died, in Ortenburg in Bavaria. In this testament, he appointed Reinprecht of Walsee and Bernard of Schaumburg as guardians of his children, who were still minors. He probably was in Ortenburg to visit the Count of Ortenburg
Ortenburg-Neuortenburg
Ortenburg-Neuortenburg was a minor county and Imperial State in present-day Lower Bavaria, Germany. It was located on the lands around Ortenburg Castle, about west of Passau...
.
Ten years later, John's son and successor Wok II of Rosenberg married Margaret, the daughter of Burian II of Guttenstein, who was then High Treasurer of Bohemia, and Sidonie of Ortenburg.
John was buried in the family tomb in the church of Vyšší Brod Monastery
Vyšší Brod Monastery
Vyšší Brod Monastery is one of the most important historical landmarks of South Bohemia.The Cistercian monastery is located on the right bank of the river Vltava, in the south-west part of the town of Vyšší Brod. It was founded in 1259.-Links:* *...
.
Marriage and issue
John was married with Anna of Glogau , a daughter of Duke Henry IXHenry 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...
of Glogau. They had four sons and six daughters:
- Henry V of Rosenberg (d. 1489)
- Catherine (d. 1521), married to Peter Holicky of Sternberg
- Wok II of Rosenberg (d. 1505)
- Peter IV of Rosenberg (d. 1523)
- Barbara (born: 8 June 1460), married to Jonn of Biberstein
- Margaret , Abbess in Český Krumlov
- Hedwig
- married firstly with Wolf of Grafeneck
- married secondly with Dobesch of Boskowitz
- married thirdly with Gregory of Starhemberg
- Elizabeth , married to Henry Prüschenk of Stettenberg, Count of Hardegg
- Johanna
- Ulrich III Rosenberg (d. 1513)