Przemyslaus II, Duke of Cieszyn
Encyclopedia
Przemysław II of Cieszyn, also known as Przemko II , was a Duke of Cieszyn
from 1431 (until 1442 with his brothers as co-rulers), ruler over Bielsko
and Skoczów
(from 1442), Duke of half of both Głogów and Ścinawa
from 1460 and from 1468 sole ruler over Cieszyn.
He was the third son of Duke Bolesław I of Cieszyn
by his second wife Euphemia
, daughter of Duke Siemowit IV of Masovia.
(but only nominally, because the power was taken by his older brother Wenceslaus I), Bielsko
(with his brother Bolesław II) and Skoczów
(alone).
Przemysław II sought to actively interfere in political affairs. In 1443 he expressed his consent to the sale of the Duchy of Siewierz
to Zbigniew Oleśnicki, Bishop of Kraków, in return for which he received from Wenceslaus I the amount of 500 pieces of silver. In 1447, together with his brother Bolesław II, he participated in the Congress of Kraków
, where he supported Poland
in a dispute about Siewierz.
In 1447, the death of his mother Euphemia finally enabled Przemysław II and his brother Bolesław II to move to their domains in Skoczów and Frysztat.
Bolesław II died in 1452, leaving one son, Casimir II. Przemysław II took over the guardianship of his orphaned nephew.
Przemysław II supported the Bohemian King George of Podebrady
and also maintained close ties with the Polish
King Casimir IV Jagiellon
, which was demonstrated, for example, in 1454, when Przemysław II received in Cieszyn Princess Elisabeth of Austria
, on her way to Kraków for her wedding to King Casimir IV. However, the good relations with Poland deteriorated after the dispute between Poland and Duke Jan IV of Oświęcim
, which finally ended after a further agreement on 1 July 1457 in Kraków.
Three years later, Przemysław II was present at a meeting between the Kings of Poland and Bohemia in Bytom
, where he served as conciliator. The next mediation took place on 9 June 1461 between Jan IV of Oświęcim and the King of Poland.
In 1460 Władysław, another of Przemysław II's brothers, died without issue. In his will, he left his domains —half of both Głogów and Ścinawa
— to his widow Margareta of Celje
(as her Oprawa wdowia) and Przemysław II, who actually took effective power over all the lands.
Przemysław II tried to get closer to Bohemian and Polish rulers and in 1462 in Głogów both Kings met and negotiated the future of the Bohemian Kingdom. As a reward for his services, he received the town of Valašské Meziříčí
, only during his lifetime.
In 1466 the prince took an active part in the expedition of George of Podebrady to Kłodzko, causing tension between Cieszyn and the powerful Wrocław.
After the abdication of his brother Wenceslaus I in 1468, Przemysław II could take power over Cieszyn, although the former Duke in fact renounced on behalf of his nephew Casimir II.
In 1469 he took part in the election of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus as King of Bohemia in Olomouc
, mainly thanks to the efforts of Pope Paul II
and the Bohemian Catholic nobility. For some time, Przemysław II went to Hungary and Bohemia, and even took part in the war against Corvinus's enemies on the Upper Silesia
.
It appeared, however, that Matthias Corvinus didn't recompense Przemysław II for his support, but also tried depriving him of Cieszyn. In this situation, in 1471 Przemysław II joined the opposition against the King, supporting the candidacy of Prince Władysław Jagiellon, son of Casimir IV.
Trying to shift between Poland, Bohemia and Hungary, in 1473 Przemysław II supported Matthias Corvinus in his war against Duke Wenceslaus III of Rybnik
. However, the common victory didn't improve his relations with the Hungarian monarch.
In 1474 Wenceslaus I, the last surviving brother of Przemysław II, died without issue, allowing him to unify all their domains under his rule (except Siewierz
and Bytom
, which were already sold).
Przemysław II's growing importance, however, didn't please Bohemian-Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, who, during the meeting of Racibórz in 1475, obtained from King Casimir IV of Poland the guarantee that he could interfere without difficulties in the sovereignty over the Duchy of Cieszyn
, threatening to completely deprive Przemysław II if he didn't pay a huge contribution. The Duke was saved from a final fall against the Hungarian-Polish army expedition, thanks to Jakub z Dębna, who supported the defense of Cieszyn. Przemyslaw II, however, had to agree to the seizure of half of both Głogów and Ścinawa
in 1476 by King Matthias.
After, Przemysław II retained only the main town of Cieszyn and a few cities. He died soon afterwards, on 18 March 1477 and was buried in the Dominican
church in Cieszyn. Without male issue, on his death he was succeeded by his nephew Casimir II, the only male member of the Cieszyn branch.
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Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
from 1431 (until 1442 with his brothers as co-rulers), ruler over Bielsko
Bielsko
Bielsko was until 1950 an independent town situated in Cieszyn Silesia, Poland. In 1951 it was joined with Biała Krakowska to form the new town of Bielsko-Biała. Bielsko constitutes the western part of that town....
and Skoczów
Skoczów
Skoczów is a town and the seat of Gmina Skoczów in Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland with 14,783 inhabitants . It lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia....
(from 1442), Duke of half of both 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...
from 1460 and from 1468 sole ruler over Cieszyn.
He was the third son of Duke Bolesław I of Cieszyn
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
by his second wife Euphemia
Euphemia of Masovia
Euphemia of Masovia , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Masovia branch and by marriage Duchess of Cieszyn.She was the fifth child and third daughter of Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia, by his wife Alexandra, daughter of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania and sister of King...
, daughter of Duke Siemowit IV of Masovia.
Life
After the death of his father in 1431, Przemysław II ruled over all the Duchy together with his brothers as co-rulers, but under the tutelage of their mother. On 29 November 1442 the formal division of the Duchy took place between Bolesław I's sons: Przemysław II took over CieszynCieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
(but only nominally, because the power was taken by his older brother Wenceslaus I), Bielsko
Bielsko
Bielsko was until 1950 an independent town situated in Cieszyn Silesia, Poland. In 1951 it was joined with Biała Krakowska to form the new town of Bielsko-Biała. Bielsko constitutes the western part of that town....
(with his brother Bolesław II) and Skoczów
Skoczów
Skoczów is a town and the seat of Gmina Skoczów in Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland with 14,783 inhabitants . It lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia....
(alone).
Przemysław II sought to actively interfere in political affairs. In 1443 he expressed his consent to the sale of the Duchy of Siewierz
Duchy of Siewierz
The Duchy of Siewierz was a Silesian duchy with its capital in Siewierz. The area was part of the original Duchy of Silesia established after the death of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth in 1138 during the times of the fragmentation of Poland....
to Zbigniew Oleśnicki, Bishop of Kraków, in return for which he received from Wenceslaus I the amount of 500 pieces of silver. In 1447, together with his brother Bolesław II, he participated in the Congress of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, where he supported Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in a dispute about Siewierz.
In 1447, the death of his mother Euphemia finally enabled Przemysław II and his brother Bolesław II to move to their domains in Skoczów and Frysztat.
Bolesław II died in 1452, leaving one son, Casimir II. Przemysław II took over the guardianship of his orphaned nephew.
Przemysław II supported the Bohemian King George of Podebrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...
and also maintained close ties with the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
King Casimir IV Jagiellon
Casimir IV Jagiellon
Casimir IV KG of the House of Jagiellon was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440, and King of Poland from 1447, until his death.Casimir was the second son of King Władysław II Jagiełło , and the younger brother of Władysław III of Varna....
, which was demonstrated, for example, in 1454, when Przemysław II received in Cieszyn Princess Elisabeth of Austria
Elisabeth of Austria (d. 1505)
Elisabeth of Austria , , was a Polish-Lithuanian queen...
, on her way to Kraków for her wedding to King Casimir IV. However, the good relations with Poland deteriorated after the dispute between Poland and Duke Jan IV of Oświęcim
John IV, Duke of Oswiecim
Jan IV of Oświęcim , was a Duke of Oświęcim during 1434-1456 and Duke of Gliwice from 1465 to 1482.He was the third son of Duke Casimir I of Oświęcim by his first wife Anna, daughter of Duke Henry VIII of Żagań....
, which finally ended after a further agreement on 1 July 1457 in Kraków.
Three years later, Przemysław II was present at a meeting between the Kings of Poland and Bohemia in 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...
, where he served as conciliator. The next mediation took place on 9 June 1461 between Jan IV of Oświęcim and the King of Poland.
In 1460 Władysław, another of Przemysław II's brothers, died without issue. In his will, he left his domains —half of both 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...
— to his widow Margareta of Celje
Margareta of Celje
Margareta of Celje was a noblewoman member of the Slovenian House of Celje and by marriage Duchess of both half Głogów and Ścinawa....
(as her Oprawa wdowia) and Przemysław II, who actually took effective power over all the lands.
Przemysław II tried to get closer to Bohemian and Polish rulers and in 1462 in Głogów both Kings met and negotiated the future of the Bohemian Kingdom. As a reward for his services, he received the town of Valašské Meziříčí
Valašské Mezirící
Valašské Meziříčí is a town in the Zlín Region, the Czech Republic. The town has 27,960 inhabitants.Vsetínská Bečva and Rožnovská Bečva rivers join in the town to form the Bečva River.-Main sights:* The Kinský Chateau...
, only during his lifetime.
In 1466 the prince took an active part in the expedition of George of Podebrady to Kłodzko, causing tension between Cieszyn and the powerful Wrocław.
After the abdication of his brother Wenceslaus I in 1468, Przemysław II could take power over Cieszyn, although the former Duke in fact renounced on behalf of his nephew Casimir II.
In 1469 he took part in the election of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus as King of Bohemia 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...
, mainly thanks to the efforts of 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...
and the Bohemian Catholic nobility. For some time, Przemysław II went to Hungary and Bohemia, and even took part in the war against Corvinus's enemies on the Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
.
It appeared, however, that Matthias Corvinus didn't recompense Przemysław II for his support, but also tried depriving him of Cieszyn. In this situation, in 1471 Przemysław II joined the opposition against the King, supporting the candidacy of Prince Władysław Jagiellon, son of Casimir IV.
Trying to shift between Poland, Bohemia and Hungary, in 1473 Przemysław II supported Matthias Corvinus in his war against Duke Wenceslaus III of Rybnik
Rybnik
Rybnik is a city in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship. Rybnik is located close to the border with the Czech Republic and just outside the southern border of the largest urban area in Poland, the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union...
. However, the common victory didn't improve his relations with the Hungarian monarch.
In 1474 Wenceslaus I, the last surviving brother of Przemysław II, died without issue, allowing him to unify all their domains under his rule (except Siewierz
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
and 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...
, which were already sold).
Przemysław II's growing importance, however, didn't please Bohemian-Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, who, during the meeting of Racibórz in 1475, obtained from King Casimir IV of Poland the guarantee that he could interfere without difficulties in the sovereignty over the Duchy of Cieszyn
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
, threatening to completely deprive Przemysław II if he didn't pay a huge contribution. The Duke was saved from a final fall against the Hungarian-Polish army expedition, thanks to Jakub z Dębna, who supported the defense of Cieszyn. Przemyslaw II, however, had to agree to the seizure of half of both 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...
in 1476 by King Matthias.
After, Przemysław II retained only the main town of Cieszyn and a few cities. He died soon afterwards, on 18 March 1477 and was buried in the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
church in Cieszyn. Without male issue, on his death he was succeeded by his nephew Casimir II, the only male member of the Cieszyn branch.
Marriage and issue
Around 1465, Przemysław II married Anna (b. 1450-1453 - d. by 14 September 1480), daughter of Duke Bolesław IV of Warsaw. They had one daughter:- HedwigHedwig of CieszynHedwig of Cieszyn was a Polish princess and member of the House of Piast in the Cieszyn branch.She was the only child of Przemysław II, Duke of Cieszyn by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Bolesław IV of Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. 1469 - d. 6 April 1521), married on 11 August 1483 to Stefan Zápolya, Lord of TrenčínTrencínTrenčín is a city in western Slovakia of the central Váh River valley near the Czech border, around from Bratislava. It has a population of more than 56,000, which makes it the ninth largest municipality of the country and is the seat of the Trenčín Region and the Trenčín District...
. From this marriage were born four children, two sons and two daughters. The oldest son was János Zápolya, later King of HungaryKing of HungaryThe King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
, and the oldest of the daughters, Barbara ZápolyaBarbara ZápolyaBarbara Zápolya was Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania as the first wife of king of Poland Sigismund I the Old....
, was the first wife of Sigismund I the OldSigismund I the OldSigismund I of Poland , of the Jagiellon dynasty, reigned as King of Poland and also as the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1506 until 1548...
, King of Poland.
Footnotes
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