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Duke of Silesia

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The Duke of Silesia was the title of sons and descendants of the Polish Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth. In accordance with the last will and testament of Bolesław, upon his death his lands were divided into four or five hereditary provinces distributed among his sons, and a royal province of Kraków reserved for the eldest, who was to be High Duke of all Poland. This was known as the fragmentation of Poland. Subsequent developments lead to further splintering of the duchies.

At the beginning of the 14th century, fourteen independent Duchies existed in Silesia: Brzeg, Wrocław, Świdnica, Jawor, Ziębice, Głogów, Ścinawa, Żagan and Oleśnica in Lower Silesia; Koźle, Cieszyn, Bytom, Niemodlin, Opole, Strzelce, Racibórz and Opava in Upper Silesia and the ecclesiastical Duchy of Nysa. Between 1327 and 1329 most dukes accepted the overlordship of Bohemian king John of Bohemia, who acquired the right of succession for all of these duchies. In the coming centuries all branches of the Silesian Piasts died out, and with the death of George William, Duke of Liegnitz the dynasty ceased to exist.

Duchy of Silesia

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The Duchy of Silesia, one of the hereditary provinces of Poland, Silesia, was granted to Bolesław III's eldest son, Władysław II the Exile, and was subsequently divided among his sons Bolesław I the Tall (Wrocław/Lower Silesia), Mieszko I Tanglefoot (Racibórz/Upper Silesia) and Konrad Spindleshanks (Głogów). After Konrad's death Głogów was again united with the Duchy of Wrocław/Lower Silesia.

Partitions of Silesia

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In 1173 Bolesław returned and he agreed to let Mieszko and Bolesław rule in their own Duchies, separated from the Duchy of Silesia. This led to the creation of the Duchy of Racibórz for Mieszko I and the Duchy of Opole for Jarosław, beginning the fragmentation of the Duchy of Silesia. The territories controlled by Mieszko I and Jarosław roughly corresponded to what is known as Upper Silesia, while the territories remaining with Bolesław I roughly corresponded to Lower Silesia.

Lower Silesia

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Duchy of Lower Silesia was a direct continuation of the Duchy of Silesia, but without the territories roughly corresponding to Upper Silesia; hence it was composed of the territories roughly corresponding to Lower Silesia. Some sources refer to it as the Duchy of Silesia; some as Duchy of Lower Silesia; others yet as the Duchy of Wrocław (Breslau). Wrocław was the capital of the Duchy of Silesia, yet this early (1172–1248) Duchy of Silesia should not be confused with the smaller Duchy of Wrocław that was created with further fragmentation in 1248. The Duchy went through various border changes in the coming years, sometimes losing and sometimes gaining territory. In 1248 Lower Silesia was divided when Bolesław II had to cede the Duchy of Wrocław to his younger brother Henry III.

Upper Silesia

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Upper Silesia was divided into the Duchies of Cieszyn, and Opole-Racibórz. In 1340 the Duchy of Racibórz was united with Opava, a Bohemian fief.

Piast Dukes of Silesia

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Partitions of Polish Silesia under Piast dynasty

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       Below follows a simplified table of Silesia's partitions:

Duchy of Silesia
(1138–1163)
       Opole-Racibórz
(Upper Silesia)
(1st creation)

(1163–1282)
                    
Wrocław
(Lower Silesia)
(1163–1335)
       Legnica
(1st creation)
(1241–1449)
       Opole
(1282–1521)[1]
Bytom
(1282–1357)
Racibórz
(1282–1340)
      
Głogów
(1st creation)
(1274–1331)
Oleśnica
(1312–1492)
Żagań
(1309–1504)
Świdnica-Jawor[2]
(1274–1392)
Ziębice
(1312–1442)
       Oświęcim
(1315–1457)
and Zator
(1445-1513)[3]
Annexed to Bohemia (1331-49)[4] Cieszyn
(1281–1653)
Annexed to Bohemia Shared inheritance of Żagań (1349-1480), with Swidnica-Jawor (1349–68), Bohemia (1368-84) and Cieszyn (1384-1480); full inheritance with Żagań (1480–88) Annexed to Bohemia
Recovered by Opole (1521)
       Lubin[5]
(1342–1550)
       Brzeg[6]
(1st creation)
(1342–1450)
Shared inheritance of Oleśnica (1357-1498) with Cieszyn (1357-1459); Full inheritance with Oleśnica (1459–98); Recovered by Opole
       Annexed to Bohemia
Annexed to Bohemia Annexed to Opole Annexed to Bohemia
      
Annexed to Poland (1488)       
Annexed to Bohemia Legnica[7]
(2nd creation)
(1454–1672)
Brzeg[8]
(2nd creation)
(1488–1672)
      
Annexed to Saxony Opole-Racibórz
(Upper Silesia)
(2nd creation)

(1521–1532)
Annexed to Poland
Annexed to Ansbach
Annexed to the Holy Roman Empire Annexed to the Holy Roman Empire

A quick reminder avoiding confusion:

Lower Silesia Upper Silesia

Table of rulers

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Přemyslid Dukes of Silesia

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Partitions of Bohemian Silesia under Přemyslid dynasty

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       Below follows a simplified table of Silesia's partitions:

       Piast Ráciborz
(1282-1336)
      
Opava
(1269-1456)
(brief annexation to
Piast Legnica in 1308-11
      
Ráciborz
(1378-1521)
Krnov
(1424-1493)
(brief annexation to
Hungary in 1474-90)
Glubczyce
(1433-1485)
      
Pledged to
Opole and
annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Opole

Table of rulers

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Notes:
  • The numbering of the Silesian Premyslid rulers is a problematic matter between scholars, as different sources numbers and orders them differently.

Podiebrad Dukes of Silesia

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Partitions of Silesia under Podiebrad dynasty

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       Part of
Piast dynasty
property
County of
Kladsko

(1471-1501)
Duchy of
Ziębice

(1456-1569)
Duchy of
Oleśnica

(1498-1686)
Annexed to the
Hardegg family
property
       Duchy of
Bierutów

(1536-1587)
Annexed to the
Holy Roman
Empire
      

Table of rulers

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The Ecclesiastical Duchy of Nysa

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Established in 1290 by High Duke Henry IV Probus, held by the Bishops of Wrocław

Major part annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia after the First Silesian War in 1742.

Prussian part secularised in 1810.

  • 1823–1832 Emanuel von Schimonsky
  • 1835–1840 Leopold von Sedlnitzky
  • 1843–1844 Joseph Knauer
  • 1845–1850 Melchior von Diepenbrock

Theocracy abolished in 1850.

See also

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List of Polish rulers
Piast dynasty
Dukes of Masovia
Dukes of Greater Poland
Dukes of Little Poland
Dukes of Cuiavia
Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca

References

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  1. ^ As Opole kept the original capital of Opole-Racibórz, the duchy will be pictured with the same color.
  2. ^ divided into Świdnica and Jawor between 1312 and 1346
  3. ^ Zator split few years before the annexation of Oświęcim to Poland; Zator therefore will be seen as a direct successor duchy, and will be pictured with the same color.
  4. ^ Briefly recovered by Jawor between 1337 and 1346.
  5. ^ The dukes changed their capital to Chojnów in early 1440's, and sold the town of Lubin to Głogów, which was bought back in 1482 by Legnica. The recovery of Legnica by Chojnów (1454) recentered the capital to this recovered town, and, until 1488, the territory of Chojnów and later Lubin became part of the Legnica. Lubin re-emerged in 1488, but was definitely annexed to Legnica in 1550
  6. ^ Shared a half, between 1358 and 1368, with Świdnica-Jawor; Olawa split between 1400 and 1454 and eventually joined Legnica
  7. ^ Brzeg was bought from Opole in 1481 and Lubin from Głogów in 1482
  8. ^ Olawa split from Brzeg in three periods: 1586–1595, 1602–1605, 1672–1680. The latter two were dowries as well.
  9. ^ a b Avoid confusion between Henry III the White and Henry III, duke of Głogów
  10. ^ a b Avoid confusion between Conrad I of Głogów and Conrad I of Oleśnica, later inheritor of a part of Głogów.
  11. ^ Avoid confusion with the later duke of Żagań, Henry IV the Faithful
  12. ^ A new line of dukes started with Conrad I, and Henry was his son. As Henry was, like his uncle Henry III the White, descendant of Henry II, he was numbered, not according to his uncle, but independently as a new line.
  13. ^ a b Avoid confusion between dukes Conrad II of Żagań, known as the Hunchback and Conrad II of Oleśnica, known as the Gray.
  14. ^ Albeit more known as Przemko, his true name was probably Premislaus
  15. ^ a b Avoid confusion between dukes Henry V of Legnica and Henry V of Żagań
  16. ^ Ruled in Swidnica-Jawor since 1273, and abdicated at his father's death, when the partitions were made.
  17. ^ Albeit more known as Bolko, his true name was probably Boleslaus. Avoid confusion with his contemporary, Bolko I of Opole.
  18. ^ A new line of dukes starts with Mieszko I, who is thereby counted as I.
  19. ^ A new line of dukes starts with Casimir, who is thereby counted as I.
  20. ^ a b Applied for Bolko I and Bolko II of Opole. Albeit more known as Bolko, their true name was probably Boleslaus, name with they are also stated in sources. Bolko I was the first Boleslaus/Bolko in Upper Silesia and he was numbered as such. However, avoid confusion with his Lower Silesian contemporary, Bolko I the Strict. The same can be said to Bolko II of Opole. Avoid confusiom between him and his Lower Silesian contemporaries, Bolko the Small and Bolko II of Ziębice.
  21. ^ a b Avoid confusion between dukes Henry VI of Wrocław, known as the Good and Henry VI of Żagań, known as the Elder
  22. ^ A new line of dukes started with Bolko I, and Henry was his son. However, unlike Głogów line, who followed Henry the Pious, this Henry didn't follow any numbering of his ancestors, and styled himself as the I.
  23. ^ Albeit known as Bolko, his true name was probably Boleslaus. Starter of a new line of dukes, he recognized his father's numbering
  24. ^ Avoid confusion with the prior duke of Wrocław, Henry IV the Just
  25. ^ Albeit more known as Przemko, probably his true name was Premislaus.
  26. ^ a b Applied to Władysław of Oświęcim and Władysław of Bytom. They styled themselves I, ignoring the numbering of their ancestor and last duke of the united Opole-Racibórz, Ladislaus I of Opole-Racibórz. Avoid confusion with this two contemporary dukes
  27. ^ Documented as such in 1340.
  28. ^ Albeit known as Bolko, his true name was probably Boleslaus. Avoid confusion with his Lower Silesian uncle, Bolko II of Ziębice, and the Upper Silesian Bolko II of Opole.
  29. ^ a b c Avoid confusion between the Lower Silesian Wenceslaus I of Legnica, and the Upper Silesians Wenceslaus I of Cieszyn and Wenceslaus I of Zator
  30. ^ Ladislaus, as ruler of Opole and a direct descendant of Ladislaus I of Opole-Racibórz, numbered himself II.
  31. ^ Not counting the regents of Opole-Racibórz, Henry was in fact the first (and only) ruler in Upper Silesia to bear this name, more usual in Lower Silesia. In fact, his mother, Elisabeth of Świdnica, was Lower Silesian.
  32. ^ a b Applied to Upper Silesian Bolko III of Strzelce and Lower Silesian Bolko III of Ziębice. Albeit more known as Bolko, their true name must have been Boleslaus. Avoid confusion between these two contemporary dukes.
  33. ^ Albeit following the numberings of the rulers named Bolko, the same is not applied to the dukes Henry in Ziębice. Henry is styled the I, ignoring the numbering of Henry II the Pious.
  34. ^ a b c Avoid confusion between Lower Silesian Wenceslaus II of Legnica and the Upper Silesians Wenceslaus II of Zator and Wenceslaus II of Cieszyn
  35. ^ Numbered higher, as Henry VII of Brzeg, despite succeeding to his father only in 1398, was co-ruling with his father since 1361, sooner than Henry VIII's ascension.
  36. ^ a b Avoid confusion between contemporary dukes Henry VIII of Legnica and Henry VIII of Głogów, known as the Sparrow
  37. ^ a b Avoid confusion between contemporary dukes of Legnica-Brzeg, Henry VII of Brzeg known as the Courageous or with a Scar and Henry VII of Głogów, known as Rumpold or the Middle
  38. ^ a b Note that both Henry VII and his nephew Henry X bore the surname Rumpold
  39. ^ a b Albeit more known as Bolko, his true name was probably Boleslaus.
  40. ^ Bernard was the first Upper Silesian ruler to bear this name.
  41. ^ a b Avoid confusion between the contemporary dukes John I of Żagań and John I of Opole
  42. ^ a b Avoid confusion between contemporary dukes Henry IX of Lubin and Henry IX the Elder of Żagań. Henry IX the Elder has also the same sobriquet as his uncle, Henry VI.
  43. ^ a b Avoid confusion between dukes Henry X of Lubin and Henry X of Głogów.
  44. ^ Numbered lower than Henry VIII of Legnica (who ascended in 1364) because he was co-ruling with his father since 1361.
  45. ^ Kantner refers to this town, possibly the one where he was born.
  46. ^ a b Prusice was ceded by Conrad V to his brother Conrad VII, in 1421.
  47. ^ a b Wołów was ceded by Conrad VI to his brother Conrad V, in 1420.
  48. ^ In fact, the half of Ścinawa inherited from John, Duke of Ścinawa in 1365.
  49. ^ Her rule was contested by the Častolovice family, apparently invested with the duchy by the Bohemian king, until 1435.
  50. ^ Silesiacarum Rerum Scriptores (1729), Codicis Silesiæ Diplomatici, CXXV, p. 1004.
  51. ^ Ruled jointly with his sister-in-law, Margareta of Celje.
  52. ^ Strangely he was not numbered II, when he had an uncle with this name who co-ruled in the same duchy.
  53. ^ a b Avoid confusion between Henry XI of Głogów and Henry XI of Legnica.
  54. ^ John adopted the numbering V, after his uncle, Jan IV of Oświęcim
  55. ^ Helena Osvětimská, 2020-03-06

Bibliography

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  • Neue deutsche Biographie, Berlin 2001, Bd.: 20, p. 403–407
  • Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, Leipzig 1905–1909, Bd.: 17, p. 845–847

Sites

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http://www.tacitus.nu/historical-atlas/regents/poland/silesia.htm