Henry V of Iron
Encyclopedia
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 (II) the Faithful
, Duke of Żagań
, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel.
in 1341, who give Wschowa
to them. A year later, the death of his father made Henry V the new ruler of Żagań.
He was nicknamed "of Iron" (Żelazny) for the consistency and ruthlessness of his acts. Immediately after he took control over the government, Henry V oriented his politics in recover the lost lands during his late father's rule.
In 1343 Henry V refused to pay tribute to Bohemia and tried to recover Głogów, which was occupied by King John of Bohemia after the death of his uncle Przemko II in 1331. At the same time, King Casimir III the Great of Poland
using the confusion reigned in Silesia to take Wschowa
. In the subsequent conflict and supported his uncles Konrad I of Oleśnica
and Jan of Ścinawa, Henry V could forced the retreat of the Polish troops under the walls of Ścinawa
. However, thanks to the losses among Konrad I's army, the Polish King could retain the last Greater Poland land in the hands of Henry III
's descendants.
Although his defeat wasn't to serious, Henry V sent a message to Casimir III the Great, asking for peace. The Polish troops leave Żagań
, and was performed a meeting between the King and Henry V. Casimir III treated him with honors and leave him all the lands who he could occupied during the conflict, except Wschowa.
The conflict with the Polish King prevented Henry V to developed a more strong resistance against King John of Bohemia. An agreement was finally made on 7 June 1344, under which King John give Henry V half of the Duchy of Głogów (however, he only could take formal possession of the land in 1349); in exchange, the Duke of Żagań was forced to declared himself a vassal of Bohemia and paid tribute to King John. The ceremony took place on 23 November of that year in Prague
.
The events of 1344 involucred Henry V in the Bohemian politics, and a year later, when war broke out between Silesia
and Bohemia, the Duke of Żagań supported his sovereign with troops while he tried to recover Wschowa.
As a vassal of Bohemia, Henry V also participated in many ceremonies and diplomatic activities on behalf of King John and later his son and successor, Charles IV
, for example in Charles's coronation on 1 September 1347 in Prague, two years later when he joined to the King's suite in a trip to Avignon
and Aachen
, and finally in 1355 when he travel to Italy
and witnessed the King's imperial coronation in Rome
.
The Duke of Żagań's faithful service had his reward in 1351, when, after the death of Bolesław III of Płock (Henry V's brother-in-law) without issue (and according to the 1329 treaty signed between King John of Bohemia and Duke Wenceslaus of Płock
), the Emperor enfeoffed him with his Duchy. However, the quick actions of King Casimir III the Great, who immediately after Bolesław III's death took control over Płock, prevented Henry V to obtain this land.
In 1356, together with Nicholas the Small
, Duke of Ziębice
, Henry V was involved in a diplomatic mission to Constantinople
, where he took part in the pilgrimage to Palestine
.
Upon his return Henry V extend his possessions. He purchased (mostly to Jan of Ścinawa) the towns of Nowogród Bobrzański
, Ryczeń
, half of Ścinawa
, and the area between the Odra River and Barycz
called Międzyrzecze. Another success was the purchase of the half of Góra
after Jan's death by 1365. Shortly after, Henry V paid the sum of 600 fine silver to his only surviving uncle, Konrad I of Oleśnica, for his rights over that lands.
In 1360 the relations between Henry V and Emperor Charles IV began to deteriorated. One of the reasons was that the Emperor, who decided to restitute to Przemko II's widow the other half of Głogów as her long-time waited Oprawa wdowia, but giving the promise of inheritance over Bolko II the Small, Duke of Świdnica
. With this action, Henry V lose all his hopes of restoring the unity of Głogów. Soon, he began to visit Krakow
and made an alliance with the King Casimir III the Great. In order to become more strong this bond, was arranged a political marriage between the Henry V's daughter Hedwig and King Casimir III. With this union, the Polish King increased his influence over Silesia
, and the Duke of Żagań gained an ally and protector. The wedding took place on 25 February 1363 in Wschowa
and was performed by the Bishop of Poznań, Jan V of Lutogniewo.
Henry V was regarded as a good host, although he famous for his excessive severity with his subjects. He didn't made any differences between the Church or the aristocracy when he had to made justice. Particularly embarrassing were his continuous disputes with the Augustinian Order of Żagań. His rule was too harsh that he had to face the fury of his own vassals, who even kidnapped him, but shortly after released him in the basement of St. Jakob's Church in Głogów.
In 1367 as a result of an inflammation in his eyes, Henry V became blind. He died of pneumonia two years later and was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań.
. They had five children:
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
since 1342, from 1349 Duke of half-Głogów, and from 1363 Duke of half-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...
.
He was the only son of Henry IV (II) the Faithful
Henry IV the Faithful
Henry IV the Faithful was a Duke of Żagań and parts of Greater Poland from 1309 until 1317 , Duke of Głogów from 1318 until 1321 and sole ruler over Żagań from 1321 until his death.He was the oldest son of Henry III , Duke of Głogów, by...
, Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel.
Life
The young Henry V gained his political experience at the side of his father, taking part in negotiations with his Jan of ŚcinawaJan of Scinawa
John was a Duke of Żagań, Ścinawa, etc. during 1309-1317 , Duke of Poznań during 1312-1314 and sole Duke of Ścinawa since....
in 1341, who give Wschowa
Wschowa
Wschowa is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland with 14,607 inhabitants . It is the capital of Wschowa County.-History:Wschowa was originally a border fortress in a region disputed by the Polish dukes of Silesia and Greater Poland. After German colonists had established a settlement nearby,...
to them. A year later, the death of his father made Henry V the new ruler of Żagań.
He was nicknamed "of Iron" (Żelazny) for the consistency and ruthlessness of his acts. Immediately after he took control over the government, Henry V oriented his politics in recover the lost lands during his late father's rule.
In 1343 Henry V refused to pay tribute to Bohemia and tried to recover Głogów, which was occupied by King John of Bohemia after the death of his uncle Przemko II in 1331. At the same time, King Casimir III the Great of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
using the confusion reigned in Silesia to take Wschowa
Wschowa
Wschowa is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland with 14,607 inhabitants . It is the capital of Wschowa County.-History:Wschowa was originally a border fortress in a region disputed by the Polish dukes of Silesia and Greater Poland. After German colonists had established a settlement nearby,...
. In the subsequent conflict and supported his uncles 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...
and Jan of Ścinawa, Henry V could forced the retreat of the Polish troops under the walls of 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...
. However, thanks to the losses among Konrad I's army, the Polish King could retain the last Greater Poland land in the hands of Henry III
Henry III, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Henry III of Głogów was a Duke of Głogów from 1274 to his death and also Duke of parts of Greater Poland during 1306–1309....
's descendants.
Although his defeat wasn't to serious, Henry V sent a message to Casimir III the Great, asking for peace. The Polish troops leave Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, and was performed a meeting between the King and Henry V. Casimir III treated him with honors and leave him all the lands who he could occupied during the conflict, except Wschowa.
The conflict with the Polish King prevented Henry V to developed a more strong resistance against King John of Bohemia. An agreement was finally made on 7 June 1344, under which King John give Henry V half of the Duchy of Głogów (however, he only could take formal possession of the land in 1349); in exchange, the Duke of Żagań was forced to declared himself a vassal of Bohemia and paid tribute to King John. The ceremony took place on 23 November of that year in 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...
.
The events of 1344 involucred Henry V in the Bohemian politics, and a year later, when war broke out between Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
and Bohemia, the Duke of Żagań supported his sovereign with troops while he tried to recover Wschowa.
As a vassal of Bohemia, Henry V also participated in many ceremonies and diplomatic activities on behalf of King John and later his son and successor, Charles IV
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....
, for example in Charles's coronation on 1 September 1347 in Prague, two years later when he joined to the King's suite in a trip to Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
and Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
, and finally in 1355 when he travel to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and witnessed the King's imperial coronation in 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...
.
The Duke of Żagań's faithful service had his reward in 1351, when, after the death of Bolesław III of Płock (Henry V's brother-in-law) without issue (and according to the 1329 treaty signed between King John of Bohemia and 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 Emperor enfeoffed him with his Duchy. However, the quick actions of King Casimir III the Great, who immediately after Bolesław III's death took control over Płock, prevented Henry V to obtain this land.
In 1356, together with Nicholas the Small
Nicholas the Small
Nicholas the Small was a Duke of Münsterberg since 1341 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Duke Bolko II of Münsterberg and his wife Bonne , daughter of Louis of Savoy, Baron of Vaud.-Life:...
, Duke of Ziębice
Ziebice
Ziębice is a town in Ząbkowice Śląskie County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Ziębice. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
, Henry V was involved in a diplomatic mission to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, where he took part in the pilgrimage to Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
.
Upon his return Henry V extend his possessions. He purchased (mostly to Jan of Ścinawa) the towns of Nowogród Bobrzański
Nowogród Bobrzanski
Nowogród Bobrzański is a town on the Bóbr river in Zielona Góra County, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,068 inhabitants . It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański....
, Ryczeń
Ryczen
Ryczeń is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Góra, within Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....
, half of 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 the area between the Odra River and Barycz
Barycz
The Barycz is a river in Greater Poland and Lower Silesian Voivodeships in western Poland. It is a right tributary of the Oder River. The river course roughly marked the northern border of the historic region of Lower Silesia with Greater Poland....
called Międzyrzecze. Another success was the purchase of the half of Góra
Góra
Góra is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-west Poland.Góra is also the name of many other places in Poland, including:In Greater Poland Voivodeship :*Góra, Jarocin County...
after Jan's death by 1365. Shortly after, Henry V paid the sum of 600 fine silver to his only surviving uncle, Konrad I of Oleśnica, for his rights over that lands.
In 1360 the relations between Henry V and Emperor Charles IV began to deteriorated. One of the reasons was that the Emperor, who decided to restitute to Przemko II's widow the other half of Głogów as her long-time waited Oprawa wdowia, but giving the promise of inheritance over Bolko II the Small, Duke of Świdnica
Swidnica
Świdnica is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship...
. With this action, Henry V lose all his hopes of restoring the unity of Głogów. Soon, he began to visit Krakow
Kraków
Kraków 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...
and made an alliance with the King Casimir III the Great. In order to become more strong this bond, was arranged a political marriage between the Henry V's daughter Hedwig and King Casimir III. With this union, the Polish King increased his influence over Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, and the Duke of Żagań gained an ally and protector. The wedding took place on 25 February 1363 in Wschowa
Wschowa
Wschowa is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland with 14,607 inhabitants . It is the capital of Wschowa County.-History:Wschowa was originally a border fortress in a region disputed by the Polish dukes of Silesia and Greater Poland. After German colonists had established a settlement nearby,...
and was performed by the Bishop of Poznań, Jan V of Lutogniewo.
Henry V was regarded as a good host, although he famous for his excessive severity with his subjects. He didn't made any differences between the Church or the aristocracy when he had to made justice. Particularly embarrassing were his continuous disputes with the Augustinian Order of Żagań. His rule was too harsh that he had to face the fury of his own vassals, who even kidnapped him, but shortly after released him in the basement of St. Jakob's Church in Głogów.
In 1367 as a result of an inflammation in his eyes, Henry V became blind. He died of pneumonia two years later and was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań.
Marriage and issue
By 6 September 1337, Henry V married with Anna (b. 1324 - d. 16 February 1363), daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of PłockWenceslaus 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 :...
. They had five children:
- Henry VI the OlderHenry VI the OlderHenry 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....
(b. bef. 1345 - d. 5 December 1393). - Anna (b. bef. 1350 - d. aft. 14 July 1405), married by 20 January 1361 to Duke John I of Opava-RatiborJohn I, Duke of Opava-RatiborJohn I of Opava-Ratibor was the founder the Troppau branch of the Bohemian Přemyslid dynasty, which lasted until 1521. In 1365, he became the sole heir of the Duchy of Racibórz. From 1367 to 1377 he ruled the Duchy of Opava...
. - Hedwig (b. aft. 1350? - d. 27 March 1390), married firstly on 25 February 1363 to King Casimir III the Great of PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and secondly by 10 February 1372 to Duke Rupert I of LegnicaRupert I of LegnicaRupert I of Legnica was a Duke of Legnica since 1364 until his death, and also regent over half of the Duchy of Głogów-Żagań during 1397–1401....
. - Henry VII RumpoldHenry VII RumpoldHenry 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....
(b. ca. 1350 - d. 24 December 1395). - Henry VIII the SparrowHenry VIII the SparrowHenry VIII the Sparrow was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378 , 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...
(b. ca. 1357 - d. 14 March 1397).