Ludwik I the Fair
Encyclopedia
Ludwik I the Fair or Louis I the Fair also known as the Wise, the Right or of Brzeg (Brieg) , was a Duke of Legnica
two times: first during 1342-1345 (with his brother) and secondly during 1345-1346 (alone), and Duke of Brzeg
from 1358. Also, he was regent of Legnica during 1364-1373.
He was the second son of Bolesław III the Generous, Duke of Legnica
-Brzeg
by his first wife, Margaret of Bohemia
, daughter of King Wenceslaus II. Louis was the youngest son of the ducal couple who survived adulthood. The third and last son, Nikolaus was born and died in 1322, shortly before their mother.
In the following years Louis spent much of his time in the Royal court of Prague
. It was there where he probably learned about politics and government.
In 1342 Bolesław III's huge debts forced him to give the Duchy of Legnica to his sons Louis I and Wenceslaus I, and he retired with his second wife Katharina Šubić to the Duchy of Brzeg
-Oława (which also included Namysłów, returned to him by his eldest son Wenceslaus I
). During the first three years, both brothers ruled jointly without major problems until Wenceslaus I, after years of childless marriage, lost all his hopes to have children and decided to give most of the Legnica territory to Louis.
The formal divisionary treaty took place on 9 August 1345 in Wroclaw
and was personally signed by King John of Bohemia. Louis I received the richest part of the Duchy and the capital, Legnica.
However, the breakdown between the brothers took place only one year later. In 1346 Wenceslaus I -whose wife, after eight years of marriage was finally expecting their first child- tried to modify the treaty, under which Louis I gave up all his lands to Wenceslaus I (who apparently was dying), and in exchange, he was named his sole heir, even in the case of the birth of a son. As a temporary compensation, Louis I received 400 pieces of silver per year and the possession of the palace of Buczyna
.
It soon became apparent the reality was totally different. The "ill" Wenceslaus wasn't in any danger of dying. In addition, the situation was more complicated after the birth of the first of Wenceslaus's four sons, Rupert.
Now Wenceslaus I wanted to force his brother to renounce his succession rights, and Louis I saw how his brother reduced the payment of his allowance. However, Louis's financial situation was not so bad as he was able to buy the city of Lubin
from his father and moved there with his family.
Between 1349 and 1350 Louis took part in a pilgrimage to Rome
. After the death of his father Bolesław III (21 April 1352) Louis I opted for a military solution to the conflicts with his brother. The war lasted for nearly six years (with interruptions thanks to the mediation attempts of Duke Conrad I of Oleśnica
, of the Bishop of Wroclaw, Przecław von Pogarell and the Emperor Charles IV
).
The final agreement concluded between the brothers was signed on 23 July 1359. The winner in the conflict was Louis I, who in addition to the confirmation of his government over Lubin, obtained from Wenceslas I the town of Chojnów
, the half of Oława, the Duchy of Brzeg and a monetary compensation of 4,500 pieces of silver.
For his part, Louis promised to pay half of his late father's debts and formally renounced all claim over the Duchy of Legnica.
Wenceslaus I died on 2 June 1364 leaving four underage sons. Louis I took the regency on behalf of his nephews until 1373 (initially he shared the regency with his sister-in-law, Anna of Teschen, until 1367). From the beginning of his regency, he made significant efforts to save the Legnica treasury and to eliminate the specter of bankruptcy. His talent in government affairs caused Louis I to be actively involved in the rule of Legnica by the request of his eldest nephew Rupert I, who followed most of his advice.
Thanks to the great improvement of the Legnica finances, Louis I was able to retake the half of the Duchy of Brzeg-Oława lost by his late brother (in 1368) and also acquired the towns of Kluczbork
, Buczyna
, Wołczyn (in 1373) and Niemcza
(years 1392-1395).
In order to maintain his sole authority over his lands, despite the attainment of majority of his eldest son Henry VII, Louis I didn't give him a separate state, and only named him co-regent -but without any real power- in 1360 or 1361. Henry VII received his own district only in 1395 (at the age of 52 years): Niemcza, purchased by his father three years before.
Louis I participated actively in foreign politics. On 21 May 1379, with his brother Wenceslaus I, he renewed his homage to King Wenceslaus IV
. In exchange, the King promised the succession to the whole Duchy of Legnica-Brzeg only to the descendants of Bolesław III the Generous from then on, which saved this line of the House of Piast from further intrusions by their relatives. A second renewal of homage took place on 6 January 1383, but this time Louis I had to renounce any claims over the duchies whose current holders were relatives of the King of Bohemia: Wroclaw
, Schweidnitz and Jawor
.
On 12 June 1397 Louis took part in the Congress of Łubnicach, at which were present, among others, King Vladislaus II Jagiełło
and Przemyslaus I Noszak, Duke of Cieszyn.
The dynastic politics of Louis I had also a good result. He managed to orchestrate the marriages of his oldest daughter Margaret to Albert I of Bavaria, son of Emperor Louis IV
and his only son Henry VII (then a long-time widower) to Margaret of Masovia, widow of Casimir IV, Duke of Pomerania; also he arranged the marriage of his nephew Rupert I to Hedwig of Żagań, widow of King Casimir III the Great. Louis I expected that with these marriages he would have additional arguments to fight for the Polish throne after the death of King Casimir III. Very quickly it became clear that the prospects for the throne of Krakow were very distant. Finally, in 1396 he made an alliance with the new ruler of Poland, Vladislaus II Jagiełło against Władysław Opolczyk.
The reputation of the Duke of Brzeg was so great that Louis I had been repeatedly appointed by Charles IV and Wenceslaus IV as a mediator in disputes (as in 1365 between the Bishop Przecław von Pogarell and Duke Conrad I of Oleśnica, in 1367 between the sons of Duke Nicholas II of Troppau for the division of the Duchy or in 1373 between Duke Conrad II of Oleśnica and Przemyslaus I Noszak for the Duchy of Bytom
).
Louis I, during his long government, was known as a founder of a number of laic and religious buildings (such as castles in Lubin and Brzeg with their respective Chapels and the Kolegiata Chapter in Brzeg). At this time the "Kodeks lubiński" was also made, which illustrated the life of his great-great-great-grandmother St. Hedwig of Andechs
, whose cult he promoted throughout all his reign.
Louis I died between 6 and 23 December 1398 and was buried in the Kolegiata of St. Hedwig in Brzeg.
and widow of Duke Leszek of Racibórz
. They had six children:
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...
two times: first during 1342-1345 (with his brother) and secondly during 1345-1346 (alone), and Duke of 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...
from 1358. Also, he was regent of Legnica during 1364-1373.
He was the second son of Bolesław III the Generous, Duke 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...
-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...
by his first wife, Margaret of Bohemia
Margaret of Bohemia (1296-1322)
Margaret of Bohemia was a daughter of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and his first wife, Judith of Habsburg. Her paternal grandparents were Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia, her maternal grandparents were Rudolph I of Germany and Gertrude of Hohenburg.-Biography:In 1308, Margaret married...
, daughter of King Wenceslaus II. Louis was the youngest son of the ducal couple who survived adulthood. The third and last son, Nikolaus was born and died in 1322, shortly before their mother.
Life
Like his older brother, little was known of Louis I's early years; his first formal appearance was in 1329 on the occasion of the renewal of his father's homage to King John of Bohemia.In the following years Louis spent much of his time in the Royal court of 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...
. It was there where he probably learned about politics and government.
In 1342 Bolesław III's huge debts forced him to give the Duchy of Legnica to his sons Louis I and Wenceslaus I, and he retired with his second wife Katharina Šubić to the Duchy of 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...
-Oława (which also included Namysłów, returned to him by his eldest son Wenceslaus I
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....
). During the first three years, both brothers ruled jointly without major problems until Wenceslaus I, after years of childless marriage, lost all his hopes to have children and decided to give most of the Legnica territory to Louis.
The formal divisionary treaty took place on 9 August 1345 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...
and was personally signed by King John of Bohemia. Louis I received the richest part of the Duchy and the capital, Legnica.
However, the breakdown between the brothers took place only one year later. In 1346 Wenceslaus I -whose wife, after eight years of marriage was finally expecting their first child- tried to modify the treaty, under which Louis I gave up all his lands to Wenceslaus I (who apparently was dying), and in exchange, he was named his sole heir, even in the case of the birth of a son. As a temporary compensation, Louis I received 400 pieces of silver per year and the possession of the palace of Buczyna
Buczyna
Buczyna may refer to the following places in Poland:*Buczyna, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Buczyna, Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Buczyna, Świebodzin County in Lubusz Voivodeship...
.
It soon became apparent the reality was totally different. The "ill" Wenceslaus wasn't in any danger of dying. In addition, the situation was more complicated after the birth of the first of Wenceslaus's four sons, Rupert.
Now Wenceslaus I wanted to force his brother to renounce his succession rights, and Louis I saw how his brother reduced the payment of his allowance. However, Louis's financial situation was not so bad as he was able to buy the city of 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,...
from his father and moved there with his family.
Between 1349 and 1350 Louis took part in a pilgrimage to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. After the death of his father Bolesław III (21 April 1352) Louis I opted for a military solution to the conflicts with his brother. The war lasted for nearly six years (with interruptions thanks to the mediation attempts of Duke Conrad 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...
, of the Bishop of Wroclaw, Przecław von Pogarell and the Emperor Charles IV
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
).
The final agreement concluded between the brothers was signed on 23 July 1359. The winner in the conflict was Louis I, who in addition to the confirmation of his government over Lubin, obtained from Wenceslas I the town of Chojnów
Chojnów
Chojnów is a small town in Legnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is located on the Skora river, a tributary of the Kaczawa at an average altitude of above sea level. Chojnów is the administrative seat of the rural gmina called Gmina Chojnów, although the town is...
, the half of Oława, the Duchy of Brzeg and a monetary compensation of 4,500 pieces of silver.
For his part, Louis promised to pay half of his late father's debts and formally renounced all claim over the Duchy of Legnica.
Wenceslaus I died on 2 June 1364 leaving four underage sons. Louis I took the regency on behalf of his nephews until 1373 (initially he shared the regency with his sister-in-law, Anna of Teschen, until 1367). From the beginning of his regency, he made significant efforts to save the Legnica treasury and to eliminate the specter of bankruptcy. His talent in government affairs caused Louis I to be actively involved in the rule of Legnica by the request of his eldest nephew Rupert I, who followed most of his advice.
Thanks to the great improvement of the Legnica finances, Louis I was able to retake the half of the Duchy of Brzeg-Oława lost by his late brother (in 1368) and also acquired the towns of Kluczbork
Kluczbork
Kluczbork is a town in southwestern Poland with 26,670 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Kluczbork County and an important railroad junction. In Kluczbork the major rail line from Katowice splits into two directions - westwards to Wroclaw and northwards to Poznań...
, Buczyna
Buczyna
Buczyna may refer to the following places in Poland:*Buczyna, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Buczyna, Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Buczyna, Świebodzin County in Lubusz Voivodeship...
, Wołczyn (in 1373) and Niemcza
Niemcza
Niemcza is a town in Dzierżoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Niemcza....
(years 1392-1395).
In order to maintain his sole authority over his lands, despite the attainment of majority of his eldest son Henry VII, Louis I didn't give him a separate state, and only named him co-regent -but without any real power- in 1360 or 1361. Henry VII received his own district only in 1395 (at the age of 52 years): Niemcza, purchased by his father three years before.
Louis I participated actively in foreign politics. On 21 May 1379, with his brother Wenceslaus I, he renewed his homage to King Wenceslaus IV
Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
Wenceslaus ) was, by election, German King from 1376 and, by inheritance, King of Bohemia from 1378. He was the third Bohemian and second German monarch of the Luxembourg dynasty...
. In exchange, the King promised the succession to the whole Duchy of Legnica-Brzeg only to the descendants of Bolesław III the Generous from then on, which saved this line of the House of Piast from further intrusions by their relatives. A second renewal of homage took place on 6 January 1383, but this time Louis I had to renounce any claims over the duchies whose current holders were relatives of the King of Bohemia: 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...
, Schweidnitz and Jawor
Jawor
Jawor is a town in south-western Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship . It is the seat of Jawor County, and lies approximately west of the regional capital Wrocław.In the town can be found a Protestant Church of Peace...
.
On 12 June 1397 Louis took part in the Congress of Łubnicach, at which were present, among others, King Vladislaus II Jagiełło
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...
and Przemyslaus I Noszak, Duke of Cieszyn.
The dynastic politics of Louis I had also a good result. He managed to orchestrate the marriages of his oldest daughter Margaret to Albert I of Bavaria, son of 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....
and his only son Henry VII (then a long-time widower) to Margaret of Masovia, widow of Casimir IV, Duke of Pomerania; also he arranged the marriage of his nephew Rupert I to Hedwig of Żagań, widow of King Casimir III the Great. Louis I expected that with these marriages he would have additional arguments to fight for the Polish throne after the death of King Casimir III. Very quickly it became clear that the prospects for the throne of Krakow were very distant. Finally, in 1396 he made an alliance with the new ruler of Poland, Vladislaus II Jagiełło against Władysław Opolczyk.
The reputation of the Duke of Brzeg was so great that Louis I had been repeatedly appointed by Charles IV and Wenceslaus IV as a mediator in disputes (as in 1365 between the Bishop Przecław von Pogarell and Duke Conrad I of Oleśnica, in 1367 between the sons of Duke Nicholas II of Troppau for the division of the Duchy or in 1373 between Duke Conrad II of Oleśnica and Przemyslaus I Noszak for the Duchy of Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
).
Louis I, during his long government, was known as a founder of a number of laic and religious buildings (such as castles in Lubin and Brzeg with their respective Chapels and the Kolegiata Chapter in Brzeg). At this time the "Kodeks lubiński" was also made, which illustrated the life of his great-great-great-grandmother St. Hedwig of Andechs
Hedwig of Andechs
Saint Hedwig of Silesia , also Saint Hedwig of Andechs from the comital House of Andechs was Duchess of Silesia from 1201 and of Greater Poland from 1231 as well as High Duchess consort of Poland from 1232 until 1238.-Life:...
, whose cult he promoted throughout all his reign.
Louis I died between 6 and 23 December 1398 and was buried in the Kolegiata of St. Hedwig in Brzeg.
Marriage and issue
Around 1341, Louis married Agnes (b. ca. 1321 - d. 7 July 1362), daughter of Duke Henry IV of Głogów-ŻagańHenry 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...
and widow of Duke Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1306 and Duke of Koźle from 1334 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Duke Przemysław of Racibórz by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Konrad II of Masovia.-Life:...
. They had six children:
- MargaretMargaret of BriegMargaret of Brieg was a daughter of Ludwik I the Fair and his wife, Agnes of Sagan. She was Duchess consort of Bavaria by her marriage to Albert I, Duke of Bavaria.- Family :...
(b. 1342/43 - d. 18/22 February 1386), married aft. 19 July 1353 to Albert I, Duke of BavariaAlbert I, Duke of BavariaDuke Albert I or Albrecht KG was a feudal ruler of the counties of Holland, Hainaut, and Zeeland in the Low Countries...
. - Henry VIII with a Scar (b. 1343/45 - d. 11 July 1399).
- Catherine (b. ca. 1344 - d. 10 April 1404/4 October 1405?), Abbess of TrebnitzTrebnitzTrebnitz is a village and a former municipality in the district Burgenlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2011, it is part of the town Teuchern....
(1372). - Hedwig (b. 1346 - d. ca. 30 January 1385), married ca. 1366 to Jan II, Duke of OświęcimJan II of OświęcimJan II of Oświęcim was a Duke of Oświęcim since 1372 until his death.He was the only son of Jan I the Scholastic, Duke of Oświęcim, by his first unknown wife.-Life:...
. - Wenceslaus (b. ca. 1350 - d. aft. 15 September 1358).
- A daughter (b. bef. July 1351 - d. young).