Henry VIII the Sparrow
Encyclopedia
Henry VIII the Sparrow (ca. 1357 – 14 March 1397) was a Duke of Żagań
–Głogów during 1368–1378 (as a co-ruler with his brothers), from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra
, Szprotawa
, Kożuchów
, Przemków
and Sulechów
, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa
and Bytom Odrzański
.
He was the second son of Henry V of Iron
, Duke of Żagań
–Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock
. The origin of his nickname "Sparrow
" (Wróbel) is unknown.
and Henry VII Rumpold
. However, he only could took the full power over the government only after the division of the Duchy between him and his brothers in 1378. Henry VIII received the towns of Kożuchów
, Zielona Góra
, Szprotawa
, Sława, Nowe Miasteczko
and Przemków
. In 1382 Duke Władysław of Opole gave his daughter Katharina to Henry VIII in marriage. The couple received the government of the Opole cities of Prudnik
and Głogówek as dowry. However, later Henry VIII had to give up Głogówek to his father-in-law's widow Euphemia of Masovia as her Oprawa wdowia and he only could retain Prudnik. In 1393 Henry VIII acquired the rights of succession over the Duchy of Żagań after the death of his older brother Henry VI, but he only could take possession over after the death of his sister-in-law (Henry VI's widow) Hedwig of Legnica
, because in the late Duke's will she received his lands as her Oprawa wdowia (at the end, Henry VIII never received Żagań for his early death; his sons inherited the Duchy after Hedwig's resignation in 1403). Two years later, in 1395, Henry VIII took possession over Głogów after the death of his brother Henry VII Rumpold without issue.
Henry VIII had a slightly different character than his brothers. He loved banquets, games and knight tournaments. This lifestyle required large amounts of money, and in consequence, the Duke had a continuous financial problems. His major financial obligations were with Konrad II the Gray
, Duke of Oleśnica
, who after his death received Ścinawa
as a payment. Later, he tried to obtain the Church's goods. This ended with his excommunication
imposed by the Bishop of Wrocław. Coincidentally the Duke died shortly after, as a result of severe wounds obtained during a knights tournament in Legnica
. His funeral took place in an atmosphere of scandal: his body wasn't buried for eight days, until the Church received the financial compensation for the Duke's behavior. He was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań
.
In his will, he leave his wife the towns of Prudnik
, Kożuchów
and Zielona Góra
as her Oprawa wdowia, who ruled until her death.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
–Głogów during 1368–1378 (as a co-ruler with his brothers), from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....
, Szprotawa
Szprotawa
Szprotawa is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Żagań County. It has 12,648 inhabitants .- History :The first information about the terrains of today's Szprotawa comes at 1000 from the chronicle of bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who accompanied the emperor Otto III on pilgrimage to the...
, Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...
, Przemków
Przemków
Przemków is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Przemków. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
and Sulechów
Sulechów
Sulechów is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Zielona Góra County. It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Sulechów.-History:The area by 990 had been conquered by Duke Mieszko I of Poland and from 1138 was part of the Duchy of Silesia....
, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa
Scinawa
Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such...
and Bytom Odrzański
Bytom Odrzanski
Bytom Odrzański is a town on the Oder river in western Poland, in Nowa Sól County of Lubusz Voivodeship.-History:Archaeological findings from the Stone Age and Bronze Age around Bytom suggest a early settlement. A Slavic gród is mentioned in 1005...
.
He was the second son of Henry V of Iron
Henry V of Iron
Henry V of Iron , was a Duke of Żagań since 1342, from 1349 Duke of half-Głogów, and from 1363 Duke of half-Ścinawa.He was the only son of Henry IV the Faithful, Duke of Żagań, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel.-Life:The young Henry V gained his political...
, Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
–Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock
Wenceslaus of Płock
Wenceslaus of Płock was a member of the House of Piast. He was Duke of Płock from 1313 until his death and was a vassal of Bohemia from 1329.- Duke of Płock :...
. The origin of his nickname "Sparrow
Sparrow
The sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a genus of the family, Passer...
" (Wróbel) is unknown.
Life
After his father's death in 1369 Henry VIII ruled the Duchy of Żagań-Głogów jointly with his older brothers Henry VIHenry VI the Older
Henry VI the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów since 1368 .He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań-Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock....
and Henry VII Rumpold
Henry VII Rumpold
Henry VII Rumpold also known as the Middle or the Greater , was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1368-1378 and since 1378 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański....
. However, he only could took the full power over the government only after the division of the Duchy between him and his brothers in 1378. Henry VIII received the towns of Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...
, Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....
, Szprotawa
Szprotawa
Szprotawa is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Żagań County. It has 12,648 inhabitants .- History :The first information about the terrains of today's Szprotawa comes at 1000 from the chronicle of bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who accompanied the emperor Otto III on pilgrimage to the...
, Sława, Nowe Miasteczko
Nowe Miasteczko
Nowe Miasteczko is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland, with 2,823 inhabitants ....
and Przemków
Przemków
Przemków is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Przemków. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
. In 1382 Duke Władysław of Opole gave his daughter Katharina to Henry VIII in marriage. The couple received the government of the Opole cities 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...
and Głogówek as dowry. However, later Henry VIII had to give up Głogówek to his father-in-law's widow Euphemia of Masovia as her Oprawa wdowia and he only could retain Prudnik. In 1393 Henry VIII acquired the rights of succession over the Duchy of Żagań after the death of his older brother Henry VI, but he only could take possession over after the death of his sister-in-law (Henry VI's widow) Hedwig of Legnica
Hedwig of Legnica
Hedwig of Legnica was a Polish princess member of the Piast dynasty in the Legnica branch and by marriage Duchess of Żagań....
, because in the late Duke's will she received his lands as her Oprawa wdowia (at the end, Henry VIII never received Żagań for his early death; his sons inherited the Duchy after Hedwig's resignation in 1403). Two years later, in 1395, Henry VIII took possession over Głogów after the death of his brother Henry VII Rumpold without issue.
Henry VIII had a slightly different character than his brothers. He loved banquets, games and knight tournaments. This lifestyle required large amounts of money, and in consequence, the Duke had a continuous financial problems. His major financial obligations were with Konrad II the Gray
Konrad II the Gray
Konrad 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....
, Duke of Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
, who after his death received Ścinawa
Scinawa
Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such...
as a payment. Later, he tried to obtain the Church's goods. This ended with his excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
imposed by the Bishop of Wrocław. Coincidentally the Duke died shortly after, as a result of severe wounds obtained during a knights tournament 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...
. His funeral took place in an atmosphere of scandal: his body wasn't buried for eight days, until the Church received the financial compensation for the Duke's behavior. He was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
.
Marriage and issue
In 1382 Henry VIII married with Katharina (b. ca. 26 March 1367 - d. 6 June 1420), daughter of Duke Władysław of Opole. They had five children:- Jan IJan I of ZaganJan I of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów, since 1397 , since 1403 Duke of Żagań, Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin and since 1412 sole ruler of Żagań and Przewóz.He was the eldest son of Henry VIII the Sparrow, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke...
(b. ca. 1385 - d. 12 April 1439). - Henry IX the OlderHenry IX the OlderHenry IX the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397–1412 , during 1412–17 ruler over Szprotawa, Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and half of Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Szprotawa, half of Głogów, since 1420 ruler over Kożuchów and Zielona Góra, from 1430 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie and...
(b. ca. 1389 - d. 11 November 1467). - Henry X RumpoldHenry X RumpoldHenry X Rumpold also known as the Younger , was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 and since 1412 ruler over Głogów ....
(b. ca. 1390 - d. 18 January 1423). - WenceslausWenceslaus of KrosnoWenceslaus of Krosno , a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 , during 1412-17 ruler over Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and Bytnica....
(b. ca. 1391 - d. bef. 4 February 1431). - Anna (b. ca. 1397 - d. 1426/33), married before 28 May 1417 to Duke Casimir I of OświęcimCasimir I of OświęcimCasimir I of Oświęcim was a Duke of Oświęcim since 1406 , ruler over Toszek and Strzelin .He was the only child of Duke Przemysław of Oświęcim by his unknown wife.-Life:...
.
In his will, he leave his wife the towns 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...
, Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...
and Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....
as her Oprawa wdowia, who ruled until her death.