Bolesław the Elder
Encyclopedia
Bolesław the Elder was a Duke of Wieluń
during 1313-1326, Duke of Niemodlin
from 1313 and ruler over Prudnik
since 1336 until his death.
He was the eldest son of Duke Bolko I of Opole
by his wife Agnes, probably daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg. Bolesław was nicknamed "the Elder" or "First-born" (Pierworodny) in order to distinguish him from his younger brother, who, for unknown reasons, was also named Bolesław (Bolko).
and Niemodlin
. Until 1323, he exercised the guardianship on behalf of his younger brothers, then too youngs for rule by their own. His political career was strongly connected with the House of Luxembourg
, rulers of Bohemia
. This alliance with the Bohemian Kingdom caused a war between him and Władysław I the Elbow-high, which ended with the loss of Wieluń in 1326.
On 18 February 1327, together with the other Silesian Dukes, Bolesław paid homage to King John of Bohemia
in Opawa
. One year later (in 1328) in order to fulfill his new responsibilities as vassal of Bohemian, he took part in the Crusade against the pagan Lithuania
. After returning from this expedition, Bolesław follow his sovereign to Prague
, where he spent much time.
In 1336, as a reward for his faithful services, the King authorized Bolesław to buy the town of Prudnik
with the surroundings villages by the amount of 2,000 fines.
In 1355 Bolesław part in the trip of King Charles of Bohemia
to Rome
, where he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor
.
Bolesław died between 1362 and 1365. His place of burial is unknown.
, Duke of Wrocław. They had eight children:
Wielun
Wieluń is a city in central Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship .- History :...
during 1313-1326, Duke of Niemodlin
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
from 1313 and ruler over Prudnik
Prudnik
Prudnik is a town in Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship. Its population numbers 26,400 inhabitants . It is the capital of Prudnik County.- Education :* * * II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Prudniku...
since 1336 until his death.
He was the eldest son of Duke Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole , was a Duke of Opole from 1282 , Niemodlin and Strzelce Opolskie until his death.He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.-Life:Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of...
by his wife Agnes, probably daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg. Bolesław was nicknamed "the Elder" or "First-born" (Pierworodny) in order to distinguish him from his younger brother, who, for unknown reasons, was also named Bolesław (Bolko).
Life
After his father's death in 1313, Bolesław inherited the Duchies of WieluńWielun
Wieluń is a city in central Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship .- History :...
and Niemodlin
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
. Until 1323, he exercised the guardianship on behalf of his younger brothers, then too youngs for rule by their own. His political career was strongly connected with the House of Luxembourg
House of Luxembourg
The House of Luxembourg was a late medieval German dynasty, which between 1308 and 1437 ruled the Holy Roman Empire, twice interrupted by the rivaling House of Wittelsbach.-History:...
, rulers of 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...
. This alliance with the Bohemian Kingdom caused a war between him and Władysław I the Elbow-high, which ended with the loss of Wieluń in 1326.
On 18 February 1327, together with the other Silesian Dukes, Bolesław paid homage to King John of Bohemia
John I of Bohemia
John the Blind was the Count of Luxembourg from 1309 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of Poland. He was the eldest son of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII and his wife Margaret of Brabant...
in Opawa
Opawa
Opawa is an inner suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located 2.5 kilometres south-east of the city centre.The name is a contraction of Opaawaho, which means a place of an outer pā or outpost in Māori. Opaawaho or Ōpāwaho is the Māori name for the Heathcote River....
. One year later (in 1328) in order to fulfill his new responsibilities as vassal of Bohemian, he took part in the Crusade against the pagan Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. After returning from this expedition, Bolesław follow his sovereign to 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...
, where he spent much time.
In 1336, as a reward for his faithful services, the King authorized Bolesław to buy the town of Prudnik
Prudnik
Prudnik is a town in Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship. Its population numbers 26,400 inhabitants . It is the capital of Prudnik County.- Education :* * * II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Prudniku...
with the surroundings villages by the amount of 2,000 fines.
In 1355 Bolesław part in the trip of King Charles of Bohemia
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....
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...
, where he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
.
Bolesław died between 1362 and 1365. His place of burial is unknown.
Marriage and issue
By 29 November 1325, Bolesław married with Euphemia (b. ca. 1312 - d. 21 March aft. 1384), daughter of Henry VI the GoodHenry VI the Good
Henry VI the Good was a Duke of Wrocław since 1296 ....
, Duke of Wrocław. They had eight children:
- Bolesław IIBolesław II of NiemodlinBolesław II of Niemodlin , was a Duke of Niemodlin since 1365 until his death .He was the eldest son of Bolesław the Elder, Duke of Niemodlin, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Henry VI the Good, Duke of Wrocław.-Life:...
(b. 1326/35 - d. by 25 June 1368). - WenceslausWenceslaus of NiemodlinWenceslaus of Niemodlin was a Duke of Niemodlin since 1365 until his death , and Duke of Gliwice from 1364....
(b. 1336/46 - d. June 1369). - Margareta (b. bef. 1340 - aft. 12 July 1399), married bef. 1354 to Landgrave Ulrich II of LeuchtenbergLeuchtenbergLeuchtenberg is a municipality in the district of Neustadt in Bavaria in Germany, essentially a suburb of nearby Weiden in der Oberpfalz, and a historical region in Old Germany governed by the Landgrave of Leuchtenberg....
. - Anna (b. bef. 1342/44 - d. 8 May 1365), a nun at St. Klara, Wrocław.
- Hedwig (b. bef. 1345 - d. 13 February 1413), Abbess of St. Klara, Wrocław (1379).
- HenryHenry of NiemodlinHenry of Niemodlin , was a Duke of Niemodlin since 1365 until his death .He was the third and youngest son of Bolesław the Elder, Duke of Niemodlin, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Henry VI the Good, Duke of Wrocław.-Life:After his father's death by 1365 Henry and his brothers Bolesław II and...
(b. by 1345 - d. 14 September 1382). - Judith (b. bef. 1346 - aft. October 1378), married by 4 August 1359 to Duke Nicholas II of Opawa.
- Elisabeth (b. 1347/50? - d. aft. 25 June 1366), a nun at St. Klara, Wrocław.