John IV, Duke of Oswiecim
Encyclopedia
Jan IV of Oświęcim was a Duke of Oświęcim
during 1434-1456 (until 1445 with his brothers as co-rulers) and Duke of Gliwice
from 1465 to 1482.
He was the third son of Duke Casimir I of Oświęcim
by his first wife Anna, daughter of Duke Henry VIII of Żagań
.
.
In 1441, Wenceslaus I agreed to became a vassal of the King of Poland in exchange for the rights to govern the Duchy of Zator
(it would be given to them in 1440 and in 1441 Wacław would officially become a vassal). This step was also followed by Jan IV and his brother Przemysław
.
On 19 January 1445 was made the formal division of the Duchy between Casimir I's sons. Despite the fact that he was the youngest brother, Jan IV received Oświęcim
, the capital of the Duchy, and the towns of Kęty
, Żywiec
and half of Gliwice
.
Since the beginning of his reign Jan IV joined in adventurous politics with his Silesian cousin. One of his first decisions was not recognized the purchase of Siewierz
by the Bishop of Kraków, Zbigniew Oleśnicki
. This has led to increased tensions between him and the Polish nobles, even resulting in some border wars (common for that period in medieval Europe). The struggle for Siewierz lasted until 1447, when Jan IV finally accepted the ownership of the Bishop.
In 1448 it seemed that the Jan IV's anti-Polish politics were definitively ended when he signed a border agreement with Kingdom of Poland
: however, soon their relations worsened. In 1452, and for unknown reasons, Duke Przemysław of Toszek attack Siewierz. The Polish troops, under the command of Piotr Szafraniec, used this as an excuse to attack Jan IV, and sieged his castle of Barwałd. The Duke of Oświęcim saved his lands only after the payment of 2,000 fines to Piotr Szafraniec. But Jan IV, after this humiliating conditions, refused to surrendered, and with the plague over the Poland, he looted Polish borderlands, advanced over Lesser Poland
and even approached Kraków
, the Polish capital itself, on a daring raid.
The reaction of the Polish King wasn't wait too much. In 1453, a large Polish army under the command of the Starost Jan Szczekocki and the Chamberlain
Jan Kuropatwa, invaded his Duchy in retribution. Unable to faced the powerful Polish army, was defeated and on 25 January he decided to capitulated. The Polish King give to him two choices: the vassal
ization or selling of the Duchy.
Despite his defeat, Jan IV doesn't change his conduct and soon after he began the siege of Oświęcim
, then under the hands of Jan z Czyżowa. This expedition was unsuccessfully, so Jan IV withdrew to the Wolek Castle, from where he conducted trips to the Lesser Poland area.
Eventually, Jan IV accepted that he lost all chances for victory, and in 1454 he finally agreed to sell his Duchy to the Kingdom of Poland for 20,000 grosz
es. The sale was confirmed in the act of homage made by the Duchy on 19 March 1454, during the festivities for the King's marriage with Elisabeth of Austria
. The Act came into force on 11 October 1456, when King Casimir IV promised to Jan IV the payment of 21,000 pieces of gold and 4,300 fines.
Jan IV briefly joined the Prussian Confederation
army as a mercenary
during the Thirteen Years' War (one of the Polish-Teutonic Wars). However, the Polish king, Casimir IV Jagiellon
, delayed the payment of the promised amount in 1454 and he returned to his homeland with mercenaries and allies from Prussia
and located his base of operations in Myślenice
, and began his efforts to recover his lost Duchy. Eventually, on 26 June 1458 in Bytom
, the Polish King decided to pay him fully to stop the troubles (at the end, the King only gave him 11,000 pieces of gold and he would finish the payment only in 1462) and Jan IV retired from Myślenice, who was burned by the Polish troops.
In 1460, after the death of Bolko V the Hussite
, Duke of Opole
, Jan IV tried to claim his domains, but was defeated by Bolko V's brother, Nicholas I
.
In 1462, with money from the Polish King, he bought Gliwice
with its castle
from his brother Przemysław, as well as nearby Ujazd
from the Bishopric of Wrocław and he became the Duke of Gliwice in 1465.
In 1471, Jan IV and his brother Przemysław supported the election of Władysław Jagiellon as King of Bohemia, which resulted in the beginning of hostile relations with the other candidate for the throne, the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. On 27 February 1475 during a meeting in Racibórz
, King Matthias arrested Jan IV, and only released him after he give up half of his lands and later. However, the King only secured the fidelity of Jan IV on 12 August 1479, when he paid homage to him in Olomouc
.
In 1482, and for unknown reasons, Jan IV sold the rest of his lands in Gliwice; in 1484 he inherited Toszek
after the death of his brother Przemysław, but almost immediately the land was confiscated by King Matthias, who claimed more dubious rights to them.
Little is known about Jan IV's last years. He probably retired to the Duchy of Karniów
, inherited by his second wife in 1491. Jan IV died around 1496-1497 and was probably buried in Karniów.
Around 1475, Jan IV married secondly with Barbara (b. 1445 - d. 27 April 1510), daughter of Duke Nicholas V of Karniów. She succeeded in 1491 as Duchess of Karniów. They had one daughter:
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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 :...
during 1434-1456 (until 1445 with his brothers as co-rulers) and Duke of 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...
from 1465 to 1482.
He was the third son of Duke Casimir I of Oświęcim
Casimir I of Oświęcim
Casimir 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:...
by his first wife Anna, daughter of Duke Henry VIII of Żagań
Henry VIII the Sparrow
Henry 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...
.
Life
At the time of his father's death in 1434 Jan IV was still a minor, so was placed under the care of his older brother Wenceslaus IWenceslaus I of Zator
Wenceslaus I of Zator , was a Duke of Oświęcim during 1434-1445 and Duke of Zator from 1445 until his death.He was the eldest son of Duke Casimir I of Oświęcim by his first wife Anna, daughter of Duke Henry VIII of Żagań....
.
In 1441, Wenceslaus I agreed to became a vassal of the King of Poland in exchange for the rights to govern the Duchy of Zator
Duchy of Zator
The Duchy of Zator was one of many Duchies of Silesia.It was split off the Duchy of Oświęcim, when after eleven years of joint rule the sons of Duke Casimir I in 1445 finally divided the lands among themselves, whereby his eldest son Wenceslaus received the territory around the town of Zator...
(it would be given to them in 1440 and in 1441 Wacław would officially become a vassal). This step was also followed by Jan IV and his brother Przemysław
Przemysław of Toszek
Przemysław of Toszek was a Duke of Oświęcim during 1434–1445 and Duke of Toszek since 1445 until his death....
.
On 19 January 1445 was made the formal division of the Duchy between Casimir I's sons. Despite the fact that he was the youngest brother, Jan IV received 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 :...
, the capital of the Duchy, and the towns of Kęty
Kety
Kęty is a town in Oświęcim County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland with 19,175 inhabitants .The town dates its earliest document from 1277 when Polish prince of Opole Władysław confirmed sale of the settlement and adoption of Lviv city rights. The town's name comes from the word kąt...
, Żywiec
Zywiec
Żywiec is a town in south-central Poland with 32,242 inhabitants . Between 1975 and 1998, it was located within the Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship, but has since become part of the Silesian Voivodeship....
and half of 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...
.
Since the beginning of his reign Jan IV joined in adventurous politics with his Silesian cousin. One of his first decisions was not recognized the purchase 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...
by the Bishop of Kraków, Zbigniew Oleśnicki
Zbigniew Olesnicki
Zbigniew Oleśnicki may refer to:* Zbigniew Oleśnicki * Zbigniew Oleśnicki , nephew of cardinal...
. This has led to increased tensions between him and the Polish nobles, even resulting in some border wars (common for that period in medieval Europe). The struggle for Siewierz lasted until 1447, when Jan IV finally accepted the ownership of the Bishop.
In 1448 it seemed that the Jan IV's anti-Polish politics were definitively ended when he signed a border agreement with Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)
The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state created by the accession of Jogaila , Grand Duke of Lithuania, to the Polish throne in 1386. The Union of Krewo or Krėva Act, united Poland and Lithuania under the rule of a single monarch...
: however, soon their relations worsened. In 1452, and for unknown reasons, Duke Przemysław of Toszek attack Siewierz. The Polish troops, under the command of Piotr Szafraniec, used this as an excuse to attack Jan IV, and sieged his castle of Barwałd. The Duke of Oświęcim saved his lands only after the payment of 2,000 fines to Piotr Szafraniec. But Jan IV, after this humiliating conditions, refused to surrendered, and with the plague over the Poland, he looted Polish borderlands, advanced over Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
and even approached Kraków
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...
, the Polish capital itself, on a daring raid.
The reaction of the Polish King wasn't wait too much. In 1453, a large Polish army under the command of the Starost Jan Szczekocki and the Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
Jan Kuropatwa, invaded his Duchy in retribution. Unable to faced the powerful Polish army, was defeated and on 25 January he decided to capitulated. The Polish King give to him two choices: the vassal
Vassal
A vassal or feudatory is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including the grant of land held...
ization or selling of the Duchy.
Despite his defeat, Jan IV doesn't change his conduct and soon after he began the siege 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 :...
, then under the hands of Jan z Czyżowa. This expedition was unsuccessfully, so Jan IV withdrew to the Wolek Castle, from where he conducted trips to the Lesser Poland area.
Eventually, Jan IV accepted that he lost all chances for victory, and in 1454 he finally agreed to sell his Duchy to the Kingdom of Poland for 20,000 grosz
Grosz
Grosz may refer to:* Grosz, a coin used in Poland as a hundredth part of 1 złoty. Złoty is Polish currency* Kraków grosz, 14th century coins of Kraków* Groschen, a coin used in various statesGrosz or Grósz is the surname of:...
es. The sale was confirmed in the act of homage made by the Duchy on 19 March 1454, during the festivities for the King's marriage with Elisabeth of Austria
Elisabeth of Austria (d. 1505)
Elisabeth of Austria , , was a Polish-Lithuanian queen...
. The Act came into force on 11 October 1456, when King Casimir IV promised to Jan IV the payment of 21,000 pieces of gold and 4,300 fines.
Jan IV briefly joined the Prussian Confederation
Prussian Confederation
The Prussian Confederation was an organization formed in 1440 by a group of 53 gentry and clergy and 19 cities in Prussia to oppose the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights. It was based on the basis of an earlier similar organization, the Lizard Union...
army as a mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
during the Thirteen Years' War (one of the Polish-Teutonic Wars). However, the Polish king, Casimir IV Jagiellon
Casimir IV Jagiellon
Casimir IV KG of the House of Jagiellon was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440, and King of Poland from 1447, until his death.Casimir was the second son of King Władysław II Jagiełło , and the younger brother of Władysław III of Varna....
, delayed the payment of the promised amount in 1454 and he returned to his homeland with mercenaries and allies from Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and located his base of operations in Myślenice
Myslenice
Myślenice is a town in southern Poland, situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship , previously in Kraków Voivodeship . Population: 20,261.-Twin towns — Sister cities:Myślenice is twinned with: Bełchatów, Poland- Sports :...
, and began his efforts to recover his lost Duchy. Eventually, on 26 June 1458 in 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...
, the Polish King decided to pay him fully to stop the troubles (at the end, the King only gave him 11,000 pieces of gold and he would finish the payment only in 1462) and Jan IV retired from Myślenice, who was burned by the Polish troops.
In 1460, after the death of Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite was a Duke of Opole between 1422–1424 , ruler over Głogówek and Prudnik since 1424, Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin from 1450 and ruler over Olesno since 1455....
, Duke of Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
, Jan IV tried to claim his domains, but was defeated by Bolko V's brother, Nicholas I
Nicholas I of Opole
Nicholas I of Opole was a Duke of Opole since 1437 , Duke of Brzeg from 1450, ruler over Kluczbork since 1451 and Duke of Strzelce, Niemodlin and Olesno from 1460....
.
In 1462, with money from the Polish King, he bought 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...
with its castle
Castle in Gliwice
The so-called Piast's Castle in Gliwice, southern Poland dates back to the mid-14th century. It consists of a tower from 1322, which was originally part of the city walls, and an adjoining building which was probably an armory. Modifications were carried out in the 15th century, between 1558-61 it...
from his brother Przemysław, as well as nearby Ujazd
Ujazd
Ujazd is a town in Strzelce County in Opole Voivodeship of Poland. Population 1,647.70% of the town infrastructure was destroyed in the Second World War....
from the Bishopric of Wrocław and he became the Duke of Gliwice in 1465.
In 1471, Jan IV and his brother Przemysław supported the election of Władysław Jagiellon as King of Bohemia, which resulted in the beginning of hostile relations with the other candidate for the throne, the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. On 27 February 1475 during a meeting in Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
, King Matthias arrested Jan IV, and only released him after he give up half of his lands and later. However, the King only secured the fidelity of Jan IV on 12 August 1479, when he paid homage to him in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
.
In 1482, and for unknown reasons, Jan IV sold the rest of his lands in Gliwice; in 1484 he inherited 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...
after the death of his brother Przemysław, but almost immediately the land was confiscated by King Matthias, who claimed more dubious rights to them.
Little is known about Jan IV's last years. He probably retired to the Duchy of Karniów
Krnov
Krnov is an Upper Silesian city in the northeastern Czech Republic, in the Moravian-Silesian Region, the District of Bruntál, on the Opava River, near the Polish border....
, inherited by his second wife in 1491. Jan IV died around 1496-1497 and was probably buried in Karniów.
Marriages and Issue
By 30 December 1465, Jan IV married firstly with certain Katharina, whose origins are unknown.Around 1475, Jan IV married secondly with Barbara (b. 1445 - d. 27 April 1510), daughter of Duke Nicholas V of Karniów. She succeeded in 1491 as Duchess of Karniów. They had one daughter:
- HelenaHelena of OświęcimHelena of Oświęcim , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast from the Oświęcim branch and ruling Duchess of Karniów since 1506 until 1523....
(b. 1478/80 - d. aft. 1524), married in 1492 to Baron George of SchellenbergSchellenbergSchellenberg is a municipality in the lowland area of Liechtenstein, on the banks of the Rhine. , it has a population of 952 and covers an area of .-Early history:...
.
Further reading
- Krzysztof Rafał Prokop, Księstwa oświęcimskie i zatorskie wobec Korony Polskiej w latach 1438-1513. Dzieje polityczne, Polska Akademia Umiejętności, Kraków 2002
- Marcin Spórna, Piotr Wierzbicki, Słownik władców Polski i pretendentów do tronu polskiego, Wydawnictwo Zielona Sowa, Kraków 2003
- Stanisław Szczur, Krzysztof Ożóg, Piastowie, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Kraków 1999
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