Bernard the Lightsome
Encyclopedia
Bernard the Lightsome (ca. 1253/57 – 25 April 1286) was a Duke of Lwówek (Löwenberg)
since 1278 (with his brother until 1281) and Jawor (Jauer)
during 1278–1281 (as a co-ruler of his brother).
He was the third son of Bolesław II the Bald, Duke of Legnica
by his first wife Hedwig
, daughter of Henry I, Count of Anhalt
. It is not known when exactly he was born but had to happen before 1258, because seven years later he was sent to Wroclaw
by his father with the Tithe
to the Bishop Thomas.
(for example, he participated in the victorious Battle of Stolec). After the death of his father in 1278, Henry V give his younger brothers Bernard and Bolko I the Duchies of Lwówek (Löwenberg) and Jawor as a co-rulers. However, his independent rule began only three years later, in 1281, when he and Bolko made the division of their domains and Bernard received Lwówek. Little is known about this period in Bernard's life, and the only certain fact was (according to the chronicles), that he promoted and protect knights, a common practice among the medieval princes. This also maybe justificated his nickname "Zwinny" (Lightsome, Clever) give to him by contemporarie sources. Lwówek had a special gratitude to him after he kept the Silesian monastery of the Knights Hospitaller
, were he was a generous benefactor, giving them among other things in 1281, the village of Cieplice
.
Bernard died unmarried and childless in 1286. He was buried in the Dominican
church in Legnica
, and his lands were inherited by his brother Bolko.
Lwówek Slaski
Lwówek Śląski is a town in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in Poland. Situated on the Bóbr River, Lwówek Śląski is about 30 km NNW of Jelenia Góra and has a population of about 10,300 inhabitants...
since 1278 (with his brother until 1281) and Jawor (Jauer)
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...
during 1278–1281 (as a co-ruler of his brother).
He was the third son of Bolesław II the Bald, 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...
by his first wife Hedwig
Hedwig
Hedwig is a German female given name. The name originates from Old High German Hadwig, Haduwig . Hedy is an Anglicised diminutive of the name...
, daughter of Henry I, Count of Anhalt
Henry I, Count of Anhalt
Henry I, Count of Anhalt was a German prince of the House of Ascania and Count of Anhalt.He was the oldest son of Bernhard III, Duke of Saxony and Count of Anhalt, by his wife Brigitte a daughter of Canute V of Denmark....
. It is not known when exactly he was born but had to happen before 1258, because seven years later he was sent to 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...
by his father with the Tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
to the Bishop Thomas.
Life
Bernard actively supported the policy of his father Bolesław II and his brothers, Henry V the Fat and Bolko I the StrictBolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict also known as the Raw or of Jawor , was a Duke of Lwówek during 1278-81 and Jawor since 1278 , sole Duke of Lwówek since 1286, Duke of Świdnica-Ziębice since 1291.He was the second son of Bolesław II the Bald, Duke of Legnica by his first wife Hedwig, daughter of...
(for example, he participated in the victorious Battle of Stolec). After the death of his father in 1278, Henry V give his younger brothers Bernard and Bolko I the Duchies of Lwówek (Löwenberg) and Jawor as a co-rulers. However, his independent rule began only three years later, in 1281, when he and Bolko made the division of their domains and Bernard received Lwówek. Little is known about this period in Bernard's life, and the only certain fact was (according to the chronicles), that he promoted and protect knights, a common practice among the medieval princes. This also maybe justificated his nickname "Zwinny" (Lightsome, Clever) give to him by contemporarie sources. Lwówek had a special gratitude to him after he kept the Silesian monastery of the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
, were he was a generous benefactor, giving them among other things in 1281, the village of Cieplice
Cieplice
Cieplice may refer to the following places in Poland:*Cieplice, Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Cieplice, Subcarpathian Voivodeship *Cieplice, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship...
.
Bernard died unmarried and childless in 1286. He 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 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...
, and his lands were inherited by his brother Bolko.