Duchy of Bielsko
Encyclopedia
The Duchy of Bielsko was one of the duchies of Silesia
.
It was created in 1572 out of the Duchy of Cieszyn
as vassal of Bohemia
and sold by Wenceslaus III Adam, Duke of Cieszyn
to Charles Promitz.
Lately, in 1582 was sold to Adam Schaffgotsch
, but ten years later was sold again to Sunnegh family. They in 1724 sold state country
to Henry of Salm
. In 1743 was county owned by Count Friedrich Wilhelm von Haugwitz
and in 1751 its status was changed to status maiores, so it can send deputies to Silesian Assembly.
In 1752, the State Country (Status Maiores) of Bielsko was purchased by Aleksander Józef Sulkowski
. In that same year, the State Country was changed to the status of a lower principality (Fürstentum). On November 2, 1754, Queen Maria Theresa of Austria
created the Principality of Bielsko (Herzogtum Bielitz). The next owners of the Principality of Bielsko had the right to the title of Herzog (Duke), during which time the remaining members of the family counted themselves amongst the lesser noble status of Fürst (Prince).
The Principality was till 1849 as autonomous principality in Austrian Silesia
. After the 1920 division of Cieszyn Silesia
between Poland and Czechoslovakia it became a part of Poland.
Its capital was in Bielsko
, dukes were vassals of the King of Bohemia.
Duchies of Silesia
The Duchies of Silesia resulted from divisions of the original Duchy of Silesia after 1138.In accordance with the last will and testament of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth, the Kingdom of Poland was, upon his death in 1138, divided into five hereditary provinces distributed among his sons, including...
.
It was created in 1572 out of the Duchy of Cieszyn
Duchy of Cieszyn
The Duchy of Cieszyn or Duchy of Teschen or Duchy of Těšín was an autonomous Silesian duchy centered on Teschen in Upper Silesia. After the feudal division of Poland it was split off in 1281 and ruled by Silesian dukes from the Piast dynasty since 1290...
as vassal 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...
and sold by Wenceslaus III Adam, Duke of Cieszyn
Wenceslaus III Adam, Duke of Cieszyn
Wenceslaus III Adam of Cieszyn was a Duke of Cieszyn since 1528 until his death.He was the second but only surviving son of Wenceslaus II, co-Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Anna, daughter of Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach...
to Charles Promitz.
Lately, in 1582 was sold to Adam Schaffgotsch
House of Schaffgotsch
The Schaffgotsch family is one of the oldest noble Silesian families extant, dating back to the thirteenth century. They were first mentioned in the St. Gallen book of documents in 804 and 809, when they were domiciled in the Margraviate of Meissen, Franconia, and the Tyrol...
, but ten years later was sold again to Sunnegh family. They in 1724 sold state country
State country
State country was a unit of administrative and territorial division in the Bohemian crown lands of Silesia and Upper Lusatia, existing from 15th to 18th centuries. These estates were exempt from feudal tenure by privilege of the Bohemian kings...
to Henry of Salm
House of Salm
The House of Salm was a noble family originating in the Belgian Ardennes and ruling Salm. It is above all known for the experiences of the branch which came to be located in the Vosges Mountains and over time came to rule over a principality whose capital was Badonviller then Senones.Its notable...
. In 1743 was county owned by Count Friedrich Wilhelm von Haugwitz
Count Friedrich Wilhelm von Haugwitz
thumb|right|200-px|Friedrich Wilhelm von HaugwitzCount Friedrich Wilhelm Graf von Haugwitz , ; 11 December 1702, in Saxony - 1765, Deutschkonitz/Mißlitz , or Knönitz , both Moravia) was Supreme Chancellor of the United Court Chancery and the head of Directorium in publicis et cameralibus under...
and in 1751 its status was changed to status maiores, so it can send deputies to Silesian Assembly.
In 1752, the State Country (Status Maiores) of Bielsko was purchased by Aleksander Józef Sulkowski
Sulkowski
The Sułkowski family is a Polish family of nobility and gentry consisting of famous members and having owned palaces in Rydzyna and Bielsko.-History:...
. In that same year, the State Country was changed to the status of a lower principality (Fürstentum). On November 2, 1754, Queen Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
created the Principality of Bielsko (Herzogtum Bielitz). The next owners of the Principality of Bielsko had the right to the title of Herzog (Duke), during which time the remaining members of the family counted themselves amongst the lesser noble status of Fürst (Prince).
The Principality was till 1849 as autonomous principality in Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia , officially the Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia was an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Empire, from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
. After the 1920 division of Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
between Poland and Czechoslovakia it became a part of Poland.
Its capital was in 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....
, dukes were vassals of the King of Bohemia.