Joachim Frederick of Brieg
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Joachim Frederick ofBrieg
Joachim Frederick of (Legnica-)Brieg
Joachim Frederick of (Legnica-)Brieg , ' onMouseout='HidePop("21709")' href="/topics/Brzeg">Brzeg
, 25 March 1602), was a Duke of Oława and Wołów (since 1586 with his brother as a co-ruler until 1592) and Brzeg
(since 1595) and Legnica
(since 1596).
He was the eldest son of George II the Pious
, Duke of Brzeg-Oława-Wołów, by his wife Barbara
, daughter of Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg
. He was named after both grandfathers: Joachim II Hector and Frederick
II of Legnica
.
, since 1571 Elector of Brandenburg. As a representant of Brandenburg, Joachim Frederick appeared at the coronation of Henry of France
as King of Poland in 1574, and in the coronation of King Rudolf II in Rome on 27 October 1575. Two years later, he received a dowry of 15 000 talers secured for the town of Wąsosz
on occasion of his marriage with Anna Maria of Anhalt.
, who was given by the late Duke to his widow Barbara of Brandenburg as Oprawa wdowia. When John George died on 6 July 1592 without surviving issue, Joachim Frederick became in the sole ruler of all their domains, except the two main cities of Brzeg (Oprawa wdowia of his mother Barbara) and Oława (Oprawa wdowia of his sister-in-law Anna of Württemberg, widow of John George). However, two events changed this situation: on 24 October 1594 Anna remarried with Duke Frederick IV of Legnica
(and in consequence lost her Oprawa wdowia), followed two months later by the death of Barbara, on 2 January 1595. Joachim Frederick reunited all the paternal heritage under his rule.
His Duchy also expanded thanks of the districts of Dzierżoniów
and Srebrna Góra
, who had rich deposits of precious metals. Also, in 1596 he inherited Legnica after the death of Duke Frederick IV without surviving issue.
.
Thanks to his family connections and his good relations with the Prague
court, he held honorable functions. Since 1585 he held the dignity of Lutheran Provost of the Chapter of Magdeburg
, and in 1588 was appointed the General Commander of the Regular Army of Silesia.
He was succeeded by his two surviving sons, John Christian and George Rudolf. Since both are minors at that time, the regency was exercised, firstly by their mother Anna Maria, and after her death in 1605, by their uncle Charles II of Poděbrady, Duke of Ziębice
-Oleśnica
.
on 19 May 1577, Joachim Frederick married with Anna Maria
(b. Zerbst, 13 June 1561 - d. Brzeg, 14 November 1605), daughter of Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt
. They had six children:
Joachim Frederick of (Legnica-)Brieg
Joachim Frederick of (Legnica-)Brieg , ' onMouseout='HidePop("21709")' href="/topics/Brzeg">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...
, 25 March 1602), was a Duke of Oława and Wołów (since 1586 with his brother as a co-ruler until 1592) and 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...
(since 1595) and 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...
(since 1596).
He was the eldest son of George II the Pious
George II the Pious
George II of Brieg , was a Duke of Brzeg since 1547 until his death.He was the second son of Frederick II, Duke of Legnica-Brzeg, by his second wife Sophie, daughter of Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.-Life:After the death of his father in 1547, George II inherited the Duchy of Brzeg...
, Duke of Brzeg-Oława-Wołów, by his wife Barbara
Barbara of Brandenburg, Duchess of Brieg
Barbara of Brandenburg , was a German princess member of the House of Hohenzollern and by marriage Duchess of Brzeg.She was the second child but eldest daughter of Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg, by his first wife Magdalena, daughter of George, Duke of Saxony.-Life:In 1537 Barbara was...
, daughter of Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg
Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg
Joachim II Hector was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg . A member of the House of Hohenzollern, Joachim II was the son of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg, and his wife Elizabeth of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden...
. He was named after both grandfathers: Joachim II Hector and Frederick
Frederick II of Legnica
Frederick II of Legnica , also known as the Great of Legnica , was a Duke of Legnica from 1488 , of Brzeg from 1521...
II of 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...
.
Youth
During his father's reign, Joachim Frederick wasn't included in the government of the Duchy of Brzeg. He spent seven years at the court of his maternal uncle, John GeorgeJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg
John George of Brandenburg was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg and a Duke of Prussia...
, since 1571 Elector of Brandenburg. As a representant of Brandenburg, Joachim Frederick appeared at the coronation of Henry of France
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
as King of Poland in 1574, and in the coronation of King Rudolf II in Rome on 27 October 1575. Two years later, he received a dowry of 15 000 talers secured for the town of Wąsosz
Wasosz
Wąsosz is a town in Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Wąsosz. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....
on occasion of his marriage with Anna Maria of Anhalt.
Duke of Oława-Wołów
George II died on 7 May 1586. Joachim Frederick, together with his younger brother John George took the government of Oława (where they settled his residence) and Wołów but not in BrzegBrzeg
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...
, who was given by the late Duke to his widow Barbara of Brandenburg as Oprawa wdowia. When John George died on 6 July 1592 without surviving issue, Joachim Frederick became in the sole ruler of all their domains, except the two main cities of Brzeg (Oprawa wdowia of his mother Barbara) and Oława (Oprawa wdowia of his sister-in-law Anna of Württemberg, widow of John George). However, two events changed this situation: on 24 October 1594 Anna remarried with Duke Frederick IV of Legnica
Frederick IV of Legnica
Frederick IV of Liegnitz was Duke of Liegnitz since 1571 until his death ....
(and in consequence lost her Oprawa wdowia), followed two months later by the death of Barbara, on 2 January 1595. Joachim Frederick reunited all the paternal heritage under his rule.
His Duchy also expanded thanks of the districts of Dzierżoniów
Dzierzoniów
Dzierżoniów is a town in southwestern Poland. It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
and Srebrna Góra
Srebrna Góra
Srebrna Góra may refer to the following places in Poland:*Srebrna Góra, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Srebrna Góra, Greater Poland Voivodeship...
, who had rich deposits of precious metals. Also, in 1596 he inherited Legnica after the death of Duke Frederick IV without surviving issue.
Government and Functions
Joachim Frederick was an efficient ruler. He ratified the former privileges of his cities and supported the development of crafts. In Oława he built fortifications and opened mints, thanks to the mines of Dzierżoniów and Srebrna Góra. Also, he established a pension for the unmarried daughter of the deposed Henry XI of LegnicaHenry XI of Legnica
Henry XI of Legnica , was a thrice Duke of Legnica: 1551-1556 , 1559–1576 and 1580-1581.He was the eldest son of Frederick III, Duke of Legnica, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.-Early years:...
.
Thanks to his family connections and his good relations with the 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...
court, he held honorable functions. Since 1585 he held the dignity of Lutheran Provost of the Chapter of Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
, and in 1588 was appointed the General Commander of the Regular Army of Silesia.
Death
Joachim Frederick died on 25 March 1602 in Brzeg. On 7 May, he was buried in the local church of St. Hedwig. Under his will, wrote on 16 December 1595, he give the district of Oława to his wife as Oprawa wdowia.He was succeeded by his two surviving sons, John Christian and George Rudolf. Since both are minors at that time, the regency was exercised, firstly by their mother Anna Maria, and after her death in 1605, by their uncle Charles II of Poděbrady, 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...
-Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
.
Marriage and issue
In BrzegBrzeg
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...
on 19 May 1577, Joachim Frederick married with Anna Maria
Anna Maria of Anhalt
Anna Maria of Anhalt , was by birth a member of the House of Ascania and a princess of Anhalt. After her marriage, she was Duchess of Legnica-Brzeg-Oława-Wołów....
(b. Zerbst, 13 June 1561 - d. Brzeg, 14 November 1605), daughter of Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt
Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt
Joachim Ernest of Anhalt , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and from 1570 sole ruler of all the Anhalt lands....
. They had six children:
- George Ernest (b. Oława, 29 August 1589 – d. Oława, 6 November 1589).
- John ChristianJohn Christian of BriegJohn Christian of Brieg , 25 December 1639), was a Duke of Brzeg–Legnica–Wołów ....
(b. Oława, 28 August 1591 – d. Ostróda, 25 December 1639). - Barbara Agnes (b. Oława, 24 February 1593 – d. 24 July 1631), married on 18 October 1620 to Hans Ulrich von Schaffgotsch und zu Kynast und Greiffenstein, Baron of Trachenberg and Warmbrunn.
- George Rudolf (b. Oława, 12 January 1595 – d. Wroclaw, 14 January 1653).
- Anna Maria (b. Brzeg, 16 December 1596 – d. Brzeg, 25 March 1602).
- Maria Sophia (b. Brzeg, 26 April 1601 – d. Prochowice, 26 October 1654).