Frederick IV of Liegnitz

Frederick IV of Legnica (Polish: Fryderyk IV legnicki; b. 20 April 1552 - d. 27 March 1596), was Duke of Legnica since 1571 until his death (as a co-ruler of his elder brother during 1571-1576 and 1580-1581.

He was the third but second surviving son of Frederick III, Duke of Legnica, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. he was named after his brother Frederick, who died in 1551, one year before his birth.

Life

In December 1571 it was approved for współrządów the Principality of Legnica, which ruled in his brother Henryk XI. Frederick IV, decided to use the commitment to Henry XI in a religious war in France, to be released from the guardianship brother. He went to the Emperor Maximilian II, asking to review the division ojcowizny. Special Commissioners under imperial decree of 13 March 1576 in the next month, 17 April 1576, it established Mr. Legnica. Frederick IV was obliged to provide care Henryka XI family, which remained in Silesia, and he has himself had a weekly pass Deputat in cash and food. At the same time on 29 September 1577 sets out the deadline for the division of the Duchy. However, this does not occur to him, since he died 12 October 1576 Emperor Maximilian II, and the new Emperor Rudolf II tried to re-examine the case. 5 October 1580 for the emperor issued a favorable ruling elder brother, by canceling your order of 17 April 1576. The brothers were jointly współrządzić principality Legnica. Henryk XI had reside in Legnica, and Frederick IV had to make do with the output to Chojnowa.

The situation changed in the following year, when Henry insubordination XI, which lingered lennego tribute to the filing, and also did not participate in the Silesian sejmach led to the intervention of armed imperial troops. At a price to pay tribute to lennego and appear at the court of imperial Henryk XI had to obtain forgiveness, but Rudolf II and Prince decided to commit to deprive him of power. Legnica again moved into the power of Frederick IV, which is required to ensure the family imprisoned brother care, paying him a weekly deputatu of 30 talarów.

Frederick IV, was married three times. The first wife in 1587 was Sydonia Maria, daughter of Wenceslas III, Adam Fr. Cieszyńskiego, who died in the same year. At the end of 1589 Dorota married the daughter of John, Fr. holsztyńskiego on Sonderburgu, who died in 1593. The last poślubiona wife was a widow in 1594 after Prince George Brest Janie - Anna, the daughter of Prince Württemberg Christopher. Frederick survived it and died in 1616.