Konrad II the Hunchback
Encyclopedia
Konrad II the Hunchback (1252/65 – 11 October 1304) was Duke of Ścinawa
from 1278 to 1284 and Duke of Żagań
from 1284 until his death.
He was the second son of Konrad I
, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome
, daughter of Duke Władysław of Greater Poland
. His nickname "Hunchback" (Garbaty) appears in contemporary chronicles probably due to his religious career.
. However, in 1284, he made a surprising switch with his younger brother Przemko
, then Duke of Żagań
: Konrad II assumed the rule over Żagań and Przemko received Ścinawa. One possibility for this switch was pressure from Duke Henry IV Probus of Wroclaw
, who preferred to have the more trustful Przemko in the neighboring realm.
Konrad II first appeared on the chronicles at the ceremony of the canonization of his paternal great-grandmother Hedwig of Andechs
in 1267. Ten years later he joined his elder brother Henry III
in the Battle of Stolec (24 April 1277) which culminated in a disastrous defeat.
Shortly after these events, Konrad was sent to Bologna
, Italy
to study in order to take important ecclesiastical posts in the future. During his absence, Henry IV Probus ruled Ścinawa on his behalf. When Konrad II returned to his Duchy in 1280, the Duke of Wrocławski refused to return control. It was not until years later, when thanks to pressure from Bishop Thomas II Zaremba of Wrocław Henry IV finally recognized the sovereignty of Konrad II over Ścinawa.
After returning to Silesia, Konrad II obtained his first church position. In 1281 he was appointed Provost
of Lubusz, and in 1287, with the help of Bishop Thomas II, he became in Provost of Wroclaw. In 1292 he was one of the candidates for the Bishopric of Wroclaw, but because of resistance from the Chapter, the choice fell on Jan Romka.
The relations of Konrad II with his brother Henry III were ambiguous. Initially, between the brothers wasn't any frictions. Konrad II supported his brother in his pretentions to recover Ścinawa after the death of Przemko in the Battle of Siewierz (1289), but ultimately the land was anexed by Henry IV Probus; also, he supported Henry III in his talks with Przemysł II of Greater Poland and in his subsequent wars against Henry V the Fat. Their good relations were broken in 1296, when Konrad II, after knew the involvement of Henry III in Great Poland affairs, he joined in a military expedition against him led by Bolko I the Strict
; however, Bolko I made an agreement with Henry III in Zwanowicach, where Henry III was compelled to give up the towns of Lubina
and Wińsko
to Konrad II.
On 5 March 1299 Konrad II received a great opportunity to raised in his church career. Thanks to the intercession of his brother-in-law, Count Albert I of Gorizia, the Chapter of Aquileia
chose him as a Patriarch
. However, the Duke of Żagań never reached his new Diocese; after stopped in the middle of the road in Vienna
, he returned to his country, after say, according to the "Chronicle of the Princes of Poland": "I can live in a land were the people only drink wine, because since my childhood I only drink beer". Of course, this sensational reason wasn't the main cause for Konrad II's return to his lands; in fact, he never received the appropriate approval of his nomination by Pope Boniface VIII
.
Back to Żagań, Konrad II claimed the effective government of his lands, who was taken by Henry III during his absence. The Duke of Głogów refused to give up the rule and decided to imprisoned his brother. But Henry III wasn't count with the quick move of his brother's supporters: the knighthood of Żagań, Bolko I the Strict, and Bishop of Wrocław -who even declared the excommunication
of Henry III and the interdict
over Głogów-. Finally, Konrad II regained his freedom and the government of his Duchy, but the relationship between the brothers remained very strained until Konrad II's death.
Konrad II died on 11 October 1304 and was buried in the Cistercian monastery in Lubiąż
. Only then Henry III could anexed Żagań to his domains.
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...
from 1278 to 1284 and Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
from 1284 until his death.
He was the second son of Konrad I
Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Konrad I of Głogów was Duke of Głogów from 1251 until his death.He was the fourth son of Henry II the Pious, Duke of Wroclaw, by his wife Anna, daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia.-Life:...
, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome
Salome of Greater Poland
Salome of Greater Poland also known as Odonicza , was a Polish princess member of the Piast dynasty from the Greater Poland branch and by marriage Duchess of Glogów....
, daughter of Duke Władysław of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
. His nickname "Hunchback" (Garbaty) appears in contemporary chronicles probably due to his religious career.
Life
It wasn't until four years after Konrad I's death in 1278 that the Duchy was divided between Konrad II and his brothers. Konrad II obtained ŚcinawaScinawa
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, in 1284, he made a surprising switch with his younger brother Przemko
Przemko of Ścinawa
Przemko of Ścinawa was Duke of Żagań from 1278 to 1284 and Duke of Ścinawa from 1284 until his death.He was the third and youngest son of Konrad I, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome, daughter of Duke Władysław of Greater Poland.-Duke of Żagań and later of Ścinawa:After his father's death in...
, then Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
: Konrad II assumed the rule over Żagań and Przemko received Ścinawa. One possibility for this switch was pressure from Duke Henry IV Probus of Wroclaw
Wroclaw
Wrocław , situated on the River Oder , is the main city of southwestern Poland.Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia and is today the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of either Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, but since 1945...
, who preferred to have the more trustful Przemko in the neighboring realm.
Konrad II first appeared on the chronicles at the ceremony of the canonization of his paternal great-grandmother Hedwig of Andechs
Hedwig of Andechs
Saint Hedwig of Silesia , also Saint Hedwig of Andechs from the comital House of Andechs was Duchess of Silesia from 1201 and of Greater Poland from 1231 as well as High Duchess consort of Poland from 1232 until 1238.-Life:...
in 1267. Ten years later he joined his elder brother 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....
in the Battle of Stolec (24 April 1277) which culminated in a disastrous defeat.
Shortly after these events, Konrad was sent to Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, 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...
to study in order to take important ecclesiastical posts in the future. During his absence, Henry IV Probus ruled Ścinawa on his behalf. When Konrad II returned to his Duchy in 1280, the Duke of Wrocławski refused to return control. It was not until years later, when thanks to pressure from Bishop Thomas II Zaremba of Wrocław Henry IV finally recognized the sovereignty of Konrad II over Ścinawa.
After returning to Silesia, Konrad II obtained his first church position. In 1281 he was appointed Provost
Provost (civil)
A provost is the ceremonial head of many Scottish local authorities, and under the name prévôt was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Regime France.-History:...
of Lubusz, and in 1287, with the help of Bishop Thomas II, he became in Provost of Wroclaw. In 1292 he was one of the candidates for the Bishopric of Wroclaw, but because of resistance from the Chapter, the choice fell on Jan Romka.
The relations of Konrad II with his brother Henry III were ambiguous. Initially, between the brothers wasn't any frictions. Konrad II supported his brother in his pretentions to recover Ścinawa after the death of Przemko in the Battle of Siewierz (1289), but ultimately the land was anexed by Henry IV Probus; also, he supported Henry III in his talks with Przemysł II of Greater Poland and in his subsequent wars against Henry V the Fat. Their good relations were broken in 1296, when Konrad II, after knew the involvement of Henry III in Great Poland affairs, he joined in a military expedition against him led by Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict also known as the Raw or of Jawor , was a Duke of Lwówek during 1278-81 and Jawor since 1278 , sole Duke of Lwówek since 1286, Duke of Świdnica-Ziębice since 1291.He was the second son of Bolesław II the Bald, Duke of Legnica by his first wife Hedwig, daughter of...
; however, Bolko I made an agreement with Henry III in Zwanowicach, where Henry III was compelled to give up the towns of Lubina
Lubina
Lubina is a village and municipality in Nové Mesto nad Váhom District in the Trenčín Region of western Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 273 metres and covers an area of 29.433km². It has a population of about 1465 people....
and Wińsko
Winsko
Wińsko is a village in Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Wińsko. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....
to Konrad II.
On 5 March 1299 Konrad II received a great opportunity to raised in his church career. Thanks to the intercession of his brother-in-law, Count Albert I of Gorizia, the Chapter of Aquileia
Aquileia
Aquileia is an ancient Roman city in what is now Italy, at the head of the Adriatic at the edge of the lagoons, about 10 km from the sea, on the river Natiso , the course of which has changed somewhat since Roman times...
chose him as a Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
. However, the Duke of Żagań never reached his new Diocese; after stopped in the middle of the road in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, he returned to his country, after say, according to the "Chronicle of the Princes of Poland": "I can live in a land were the people only drink wine, because since my childhood I only drink beer". Of course, this sensational reason wasn't the main cause for Konrad II's return to his lands; in fact, he never received the appropriate approval of his nomination by Pope Boniface VIII
Pope Boniface VIII
Pope Boniface VIII , born Benedetto Gaetani, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303. Today, Boniface VIII is probably best remembered for his feuds with Dante, who placed him in the Eighth circle of Hell in his Divina Commedia, among the Simonists.- Biography :Gaetani was born in 1235 in...
.
Back to Żagań, Konrad II claimed the effective government of his lands, who was taken by Henry III during his absence. The Duke of Głogów refused to give up the rule and decided to imprisoned his brother. But Henry III wasn't count with the quick move of his brother's supporters: the knighthood of Żagań, Bolko I the Strict, and Bishop of Wrocław -who even declared the 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...
of Henry III and the interdict
Interdict
The term Interdict may refer to:* Court order enforcing or prohibiting a certain action* Injunction, such as a restraining order...
over Głogów-. Finally, Konrad II regained his freedom and the government of his Duchy, but the relationship between the brothers remained very strained until Konrad II's death.
Konrad II died on 11 October 1304 and was buried in the Cistercian monastery in Lubiąż
Lubiaz
Lubiąż is a village on the east bank of the Odra River, in the administrative district of Gmina Wołów, within Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It lies approximately south-west of Wołów, and west of the regional capital Wrocław. The village has a population of...
. Only then Henry III could anexed Żagań to his domains.