Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn
Encyclopedia
Casimir I of Cieszyn was Duke of Cieszyn
from 1315, Duke of Siewierz
from 1337 and Duke of Bytom
from 1357.
He was the second son of Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn by his wife, probably called Grzymisława.
. His marriage to Euphemia of Czersk founded a tradition of relationships of Cieszyn Piasts with Masovian Piasts.
Casimir I initially had good relations with Władysław I the Elbow-high, who became the King of Poland in 1320. But when during 1321-1324 Lithuanian forces supporting Elbow-high plundered Cieszyn, Casimir I broke with the Polish King. He then became a closer ally of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia and swore homage
to him on 8 February 1327 in Opava
; in exchange for his submission, Casimir I received the promise of inheritance of Oświęcim
. Fifteen days later, on 23 February, he received Cieszyn as a hereditary possession, maintaining a large internal sovereignty.
Casimir I wanted to maintain the territorial unity of his Duchy, so he chose only one of his sons to be his successor — firstly the eldest, Władysław, and after his early death in 1355 the third, but the only one who remained outside the Church, Przemysław Noszak — and the others were destined for a Church career. In 1337 he acquired the districts of Siewierz
and Czeladź
from the Dukes of Bytom
by 720 fines; also, he (temporarily) took the town of Namysłów from the Dukes of Brzeg
, as a part of the dowry of his daughter Anna.
When Duke Leszek
of Racibórz
died in 1336, Casimir I tried unsuccessfully to obtain his lands. King John of Bohemia granted this land to Duke Nicholas II of Opava
.
In 1355, after the death of Bolesław
, Duke of Koźle
-Bytom
without male issue, Casimir I entered a conflict over his inheritance with Konrad I of Oleśnica
. The dispute was only resolved in 1357 (the decision was made as early as 1355, but Bytom remained until that time under the rule of Margareta of Sternberg
—Bolesław's widow— as her Oprawa wdowia): the Duke of Cieszyn took possession of half of Bytom
and Gliwice
, Toszek
and Pyskowice
.
In the internal politics, Casimir I supported the economic development of his Duchy, mostly towns. He also surrounded Cieszyn with walls and by 1320 granted the town of Bielsko
with German laws.
Casimir I died in 1358 (although there are some indications that he lived until 1360, but this is refuted by the majority of historians) and was buried in the Dominican
church of Cieszyn.
-Warsaw
. They had nine children:
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 1315, Duke of 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...
from 1337 and Duke 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...
from 1357.
He was the second son of Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn by his wife, probably called Grzymisława.
Life
After death of his father in 1315, Casimir I gained the southwestern part of the duchy, centered around the town of 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....
. His marriage to Euphemia of Czersk founded a tradition of relationships of Cieszyn Piasts with Masovian Piasts.
Casimir I initially had good relations with Władysław I the Elbow-high, who became the King of Poland in 1320. But when during 1321-1324 Lithuanian forces supporting Elbow-high plundered Cieszyn, Casimir I broke with the Polish King. He then became a closer ally of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia and swore homage
Homage (medieval)
Homage in the Middle Ages was the ceremony in which a feudal tenant or vassal pledged reverence and submission to his feudal lord, receiving in exchange the symbolic title to his new position . It was a symbolic acknowledgment to the lord that the vassal was, literally, his man . The oath known as...
to him on 8 February 1327 in Opava
Opava
Opava is a city in the northern Czech Republic on the river Opava, located to the north-west of Ostrava. The historical capital of Czech Silesia, Opava is now in the Moravian-Silesian Region and has a population of 59,843 as of January 1, 2005....
; in exchange for his submission, Casimir I received the promise of inheritance of Oświęcim
Oswiecim
Oświęcim is a town in the Lesser Poland province of southern Poland, situated west of Kraków, near the confluence of the rivers Vistula and Soła.- History :...
. Fifteen days later, on 23 February, he received Cieszyn as a hereditary possession, maintaining a large internal sovereignty.
Casimir I wanted to maintain the territorial unity of his Duchy, so he chose only one of his sons to be his successor — firstly the eldest, Władysław, and after his early death in 1355 the third, but the only one who remained outside the Church, Przemysław Noszak — and the others were destined for a Church career. In 1337 he acquired the districts of 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 Czeladź
Czeladz
Czeladź is a town in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with a population of 2 million. Located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Brynica river ....
from the Dukes 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...
by 720 fines; also, he (temporarily) took the town of Namysłów from the Dukes 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...
, as a part of the dowry of his daughter Anna.
When Duke Leszek
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:...
of Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
died in 1336, Casimir I tried unsuccessfully to obtain his lands. King John of Bohemia granted this land to Duke Nicholas II of Opava
Opava
Opava is a city in the northern Czech Republic on the river Opava, located to the north-west of Ostrava. The historical capital of Czech Silesia, Opava is now in the Moravian-Silesian Region and has a population of 59,843 as of January 1, 2005....
.
In 1355, after the death of Bolesław
Bolesław of Bytom
Bolesław of Bytom , was a Duke of Koźle from 1347 and Duke of Bytom since 1352 until his death.He was the second son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the eldest by his second wife Ludgarda, daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg and Lord of Stargard.-Life:After the death of his elder...
, Duke of Koźle
Kozle
Koźle is a district of Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is at the junction of the Kłodnica and Odra rivers, 29 Ifl. southeast of Opole by rail. The district has a Roman Catholic church, a medieval chateau, remains of a 19th century fortress and a high school...
-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...
without male issue, Casimir I entered a conflict over his inheritance with Konrad 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...
. The dispute was only resolved in 1357 (the decision was made as early as 1355, but Bytom remained until that time under the rule of Margareta of Sternberg
Margareta of Sternberg
Margareta of Sternberg was a Moravian noblewoman and by marriage Duchess of Bytom.She was the eldest child and only daughter of Jaroslav of Sternberg by his second wife Margareta of Bílina . Margareta had two full-brothers, Aleš and Jan, and also two older half-brothers, Zdeněk and Smil...
—Bolesław's widow— as her Oprawa wdowia): the Duke of Cieszyn took possession of half 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...
and Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
, Toszek
Toszek
Toszek is a town in Poland, in Gliwice County, Silesian Voivodeship, with 4,000 inhabitants.- History :The beginning of the settlement and fortified keep is dated in the 9th and 10th centuries when the area was ruled by the Piasts, Mieszko I of Poland and later Bolesław I the Brave.The fortified...
and Pyskowice
Pyskowice
Pyskowice is a town in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Located in the Silesian Highlands....
.
In the internal politics, Casimir I supported the economic development of his Duchy, mostly towns. He also surrounded Cieszyn with walls and by 1320 granted the town of 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 German laws.
Casimir I died in 1358 (although there are some indications that he lived until 1360, but this is refuted by the majority of historians) 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 of Cieszyn.
Marriage and issue
By 1321, Casimir I married Euphemia (b. 1310 - d. aft. 11 January 1374), daughter of Duke Trojden I of CzerskCzersk
Czersk is a town in northern Poland in Chojnice County, Pomeranian Voivodeship.On July 1, 2006 this municipality celebrated 80 years of granting this community the status of city....
-Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. They had nine children:
- Anna (b. 1325 - d. 1367), married in 1338 to Duke Wenceslaus I of LegnicaWenceslaus I of LegnicaWenceslaus 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....
. - WładysławWładysław of Cieszyn (d. 1355)Władysław of Cieszyn was a Polish prince member of the Piast dynasty in the Cieszyn branch.He was the eldest son of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Trojden I of Czersk-Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. 1325/31 - d. May 1355). - Jolanta Helena (b. ca. 1331 - d. 20 March 1403), Abbess of St.Clara in KrakówKrakówKraków 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...
. - BolesławBolesław of Cieszyn (d. 1356)Bolesław of Cieszyn , was a Polish prince, member of the Piast dynasty in the Cieszyn branch.He was the second son of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Trojden I of Czersk-Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. ca. 1331/32 - d. Prague, 23 July 1356). - Przemysław I Noszak (b. 1332/36 - d. 23 May 1410).
- Agnes (b. 1338 - d. by 27 April 1371), married by 23 February 1354 to Duke Konrad II of OleśnicaKonrad II the GrayKonrad II the Gray was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle and half of Bytom since 1366 and Duke of half of Ścinawa since 1397 until his death....
. - JanJan of CieszynJan of Cieszyn , was a Polish prince, member of the Piast dynasty in the Cieszyn branch.He was the fourth son of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Trojden I of Czersk-Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. 1339/40 - d. aft. 18 May 1359). - SiemowitSiemowit of CieszynSiemowit of Cieszyn was a Polish prince, member of the Piast dynasty in the Cieszyn branch.He was the fifth son of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Trojden I of Czersk-Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. ca. 1340 - d. 25 September 1391). - ElisabethElisabeth of CieszynElisabeth of Cieszyn , was a Polish princess, member of the Piast dynasty in the Cieszyn branch.She was the fourth daughter and youngest child of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Trojden I of Czersk-Warsaw.-Life:...
(b. aft. 1340? - d. aft. 20 January 1364), a nun in TrzebnicaTrzebnicaTrzebnica is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Trzebnica County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Trzebnica. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
.