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In 1666 Opole was annexed by the House of [[Habsburg]] as Kings of Bohemia.
In 1666 Opole was annexed by the House of [[Habsburg]] as Kings of Bohemia.

=====Olesno=====
Until 1396 part of Opole
*1396-1397 Annexed by the [[Kingdom of Poland]]
*1397-1401 [[Przemyslaus I Noszak, Duke of Cieszyn|Przemysław I Noszak]]
*1401-1455 [[Bernard of Niemodlin|Bernard]]
*1455-1460 [[Bolko V the Hussite]]
*1460-1476 [[Nicholas I of Opole|Nicholas I]]
** 1466-1476 [[Louis of Opole|Louis]] (co-regent)
*1476-1532 [[Jan II the Good]]


=====Duchy of [[Niemodlin]]=====
=====Duchy of [[Niemodlin]]=====
*1313-1365 [[Bolesław the Elder]]
*1365-1368 [[Bolesław II of Niemodlin|Bolesław II]], [[Wenceslaus of Niemodlin|Wenceslaus]] and [[Henry of Niemodlin|Henry]] (co-rulers)
*1368-1369 [[Wenceslaus of Niemodlin|Wenceslaus]] and [[Henry of Niemodlin|Henry]] (co-rulers)
*1365-1382 [[Henry of Niemodlin|Henry]] (alone)
**1382-1385 [[Władysław Opolczyk]], regent
*1382-1394 [[Bolko IV of Opole|Bolko IV]], [[Henry II of Niemodlin|Henry II]] and [[Bernard of Niemodlin|Bernard]] (co-rulers)
*1394-1400 [[Bolko IV of Opole|Bolko IV]] and [[Bernard of Niemodlin|Bernard]] (co-rulers)
*1400-1450 [[Bernard of Niemodlin|Bernard]] (alone)
*1450 - 1460 [[Bolko V the Hussite]]
*1460 - 1476 [[Nicholas I of Opole|Nicholas I]]
**1466-1476 [[Louis of Opole|Louis]] (co-regent)
* 1476 [[Louis of Opole|Louis]], [[Jan II the Good]] and [[Nicholas II of Niemodlin|Nicholas II]] (co-rulers)
* 1476-1497 [[Nicholas II of Niemodlin|Nicholas II]] (alone)
*1497-1532 [[Jan II the Good]]

=====Duchy of [[Strzelce]]=====
=====Duchy of [[Strzelce]]=====
=====Duchy of [[Głogówek]]=====
=====Duchy of [[Głogówek]]=====

Revision as of 04:45, 11 June 2009

In accordance with the last will and testament of Poland's Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth, Poland was upon his death divided into 4-5 hereditary provinces distributed among his sons, and a royal province of Kraków reserved for the eldest, who was to be High Duke of all Poland. This was known as the fragmentation of Poland.

At the beginning of the 14th century 14 independent Duchies existed in Silesia: Brzeg, Wrocław, Świdnica, Jawor, Ziębice, Głogów, Ścinawa, Żagan and Oleśnica in Lower Silesia; Koźle, Cieszyn, Bytom, Niemodlin, Opole, Strzelce, Racibórz and Opava in Upper Silesia and the eclessiatical duchy of Nysa. Between 1327 and 1329 most dukes accepted the overlordship of Bohemian king John of Bohemia, who acquired the right of succession for all of these duchies. In the coming centuries all branches of the Silesian Piasts died out, and with the death of George William, Duke of Liegnitz the dynasty ceased to exist.

One of the hereditary provinces of Poland, Silesia, was granted to Bolesław III's eldest son, Władysław II the Exile, and was subsequently divided among his sons Bolesław I the Tall (Wrocław/Lower Silesia), Mieszko I Tanglefoot (Racibórz/Upper Silesia) and Konrad Spindleshanks (Głogów). After Konrad's death Głogów was again united with the Duchy of Wroclaw/Lower Silesia.

Term Incumbent Notes
Piast Dynasty
1138-1146 Władysław II the Exile
(Władysław II Wygnaniec)
son of Bolesław III Wrymouth, expelled by his brothers after a failed coup d'etat
1146-1163 Bolesław IV the Curly
(Bolesław Kędzierzawy)
son of Bolesław III, replaces Władysław II after his exile
1163-1172 Bolesław I the Tall
(Bolesław I Wysoki) and
Mieszko I Tanglefoot
(Mieszko I Plątonogi)
sons of Władysław II return in 1163 and peacefully regain the throne from Bolesław IV
1172-1173 Mieszko I Tanglefoot and Jarosław Jarosław was the son of Bolesław I; Mieszko and Jarosław rebelled against Bolesław I and temporarily seized power in the Duchy.

In 1773 Bolesław returned and he agreed to let Mieszko and Bolesław rule in their own Duchies, separated from the Duchy of Silesia. This lead to the creation of the Duchy of Racibórz for Mieszko I and the Duchy of Opole for Jarosław, beginning the fragmentation of the Duchy of Silesia. The territories controlled by Mieszko I and Jarosław roughly corresponded to what is known as Upper Silesia, while the territories remaining with Bolesław I roughly corresponded to Lower Silesia.

Duchies of Lower Silesia (1173-1248)

Duchy of Lower Silesia

Duchy of Lower Silesia was a direct continuation of the Duchy of Silesia, but without the territories roughly corresponding to Upper Silesia; hence it was composed of the territories roughly corresponding to Lower Silesia. Some sources refer to it as the Duchy of Silesia; some as Duchy of Lower Silesia; others yet as the Duchy of Wrocław (Breslau). Wrocław was the capital of the Duchy of Silesia, yet this early (1172-1248) Duchy of Silesia should not be confused with the smaller Duchy of Wrocław that was created with further fragmentation in 1248.

Term Incumbent Notes
Piast Dynasty
1172-1177 Bolesław I the Tall (Bolesław I Wysoki)
1177 Mieszko I Tanglefoot
(Mieszko I Plątonogi)
Mieszko I temporary exiles Bolesław I and takes over the Duchy; Bolesław I is able to return with the mediation of Casimir II the Just, but as a condition, from 1177 to 1180/1190 (death of Konrad Spindleshanks (Konrad Laskonogi)), Duchy of Głogów is split as a separate entity ruled by Konrad, it reverted back to Boleslaw I with Konrad's childless death.
1177-1201 Bolesław I the Tall (Bolesław I Wysoki)
1201-1238 Henry I the Bearded (Henryk I Brodaty) son of Bolesław I
1238-1241 Henry II the Pious (Henryk II Pobożny) son of Henry I
1241-1248 Bolesław II the Bald (Bolesław II Łysy Rogatka) son of Henry II
1247-1248 Henry III the White (Henryk III Biały) son of Henry II, brother and co-ruler with Bolesław II the Bald

The Duchy went through various border changes in the coming years, sometimes losing and sometimes gaining territory. In 1248 Lower Silesia was divided when Bolesław II had to cede the Duchy of Wrocław to his younger brother Henry III.

Note: Lubusz was not considered a duchy.

Duchy of Wrocław (1248-1335)

In 1327 Henry VI signed a contract of inheritance with King John of Bohemia and upon his death the Duchy of Wrocław fell to the Kingdom of Bohemia.

Duchy of Legnica (1248-1675)

From 1291 Duchy of Jawor is enlarged with territories including Świdnica, formerly part of the Duchy of Wrocław. For a brief period, the Duchy is sometimes known as the Duchy of Jawor-Świdnica.
In 1312 the territories around Świdnica are split into their own Duchy, the Duchy of Świdnica, as are the territories around Ziębice, known as the Duchy of Ziębice.

In 1392 Jawor is annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.

In 1392 Świdnica is annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.

Duchy of Lwówek

In 1392 Lwówek is annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.

County of Kłodzko

In 1561/7 Kłodzko is annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.

In 1675 Legnica was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire.

Duchy of Lubin

In 1550 Lubin is definitely reunited with the Duchy of Legnica.

Duchy of Chojnów

In 1488 Chojnów is definitely reunited with the Duchy of Legnica.

In 1675 Brzeg in annexed by the Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Oława

Until 1400 part of the Duchy of Brzeg

In 1737 Oława was definitely annexed by the Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Niemcza

In 1399 Niemcza is annexed by the Duchy of Oława

Duchy of Strzelin

Until 1385 part of the Duchy of Ziębice

In 1602 Strzelin is definitely annexed by the Duchy of Niemcza

Duchy of Namysłów

In 1398 Namysłów is definitely annexed by the Duchy of Brzeg

In 1544 Głogów was definitely annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia

Duchy of Ścinawa

Duchy of Żagań (1278-1935)

In 1935 Żagań was confiscated by Third Reich

Duchies of Zielona Góra and Kożuchów

In 1420 Zielona Góra and Kożuchów were definitely annexed by the Duchy of Glogów

Duchy of Krosno

In 1482 Krosno was annexed by Electorate of Brandenburg

Duchy of Szprotawa

In 1412 Szprotawa was annexed by the Duchy of Glogów

Duchy of Przewóz

In 1472 Przewóz was reacquired by the House of Wettin.

In 1945 Oleśnica and Bierutów were definitely annexed to Germany

Duchy of Wołów

In 1680 Wołów was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire


Duchies of Upper Silesia

Upper Silesia was divided into the Duchies of Cieszyn, Opole and Racibórz. In 1340 the Duchy of Racibórz was united with Opava, a Bohemian fief.

Duchy of Opole-Racibórz

In 1282 the Duchy is divided between the four sons of Władysław.

In 1666 Opole was annexed by the House of Habsburg as Kings of Bohemia.

Olesno

Until 1396 part of Opole

Duchy of Niemodlin
Duchy of Strzelce
Duchy of Głogówek
Term Incumbent Notes
Piast Dynasty
1177/9 to 1211 Mieszko I Plątonogi The first duke of Bytom
1280/1 to 1312 Casimir of Bytom The first Ruler of the second Duchy of Bytom, co-ruler from 1303
1303 to 1328 Bolesław of Toszek co-ruler
1303 to 1352 Władysław of Bytom co-ruler
1312 to 1316 Siemowit of Bytom co-ruler
1312 to ca 1345 George of Bytom co-ruler
1312 to 1328 Mieszko of Bytom co-ruler
1340 to ca 1350 Siemowit of Bytom second time, co-ruler
1336 to 1342 Casimir of Koźle co-ruler
1342 to 1354/5 Bolesław of Bytom co-ruler to ca 1350
1354/5 to 1357 Margareta of Sternberg unofficial, disputable
1354/5 - Partition of the Duchy:
Duchy of Koźle
Duchy of Toszek
Duchy of Gliwice

Up to 1290 Cieszyn belonged to the Duchy of Racibórz

In 1653 the Duchy of Teschen was transferred to the Habsburg domains.

Term Incumbent Notes
Pist Dynasty
1315 to 1324 Władysław of Oświęcim co-regent
1324 to 1372 Jan I the Scholastic
1324 to 1325 Euphrosyne of Płock regent (mother)
1372 to 1376 Jan II of Oświęcim
1376 to 1405 Jan III of Oświęcim
1405 to 1406 Przemysław of Oświęcim Duke of Ścinawa (partly; from 1404), Duke of Toszek (from 1405)
Term Incumbent Notes
Piast Dynasty
1433/4 to 1468 Wenceslaus I of Zator Duke of Zator from 1445
1468 to 1490 Casimir II of Zator co-ruler
1468 to 1484/7 Wenceslaus II of Zator co-ruler
1468 to 1494 Jan V of Zator Duke of Wadowice from 1493
1468 to 1482 Władysław of Zator co-ruler, Duke of Wadowice from 1482
  • Duchy of Zator became a part of Poland (in 1494)
Duchy of Wadowice
Sovereign owner of Wadowice per bequest of her father Duke Władysław of Zator, but without the Ducal rank, who was given to her uncle Jan V. Married with Jan Kobierzycki, Count of Tworkow and Kobierzyn with one male heir. Deposed, d. after 1505.

Despite the sale of Wadowice to the King of Poland in 1503, and to insure his armorial protection of the region, Wadowice continued to be torn by wars for another 300 years.

Term Incumbent Notes
Piast Dynasty
1173 to 1211 Mieszko I Plątonogi Duke of Racibórz, Opole and Duke Senior of Poland
1211 to 1230 Kazimierz I Duke of Racibórz and Opole
1230 to 1246 Mieszko II Otyły Duke of Racibórz and Opole
1246 to 1281 Władysław I Duke of Racibórz and Opole
1280 to 1306 Przemysław of Racibórz Duke of Cieszyn, Oświęcim and Racibórz
1306 to 1336 Leszek of Racibórz Duke of Racibórz
1306 to 1308 Mieszko I Cieszyński regent
1336 - The Duchy passed to Dukes of Opava who were from Přemyslid dynasty and were relatives to Dukes of Racibórz.

Split off from Moravia.

Fell to Ferdinand I of Habsburg along with the Bohemian Crown. In 1614 Matthias of Habsburg invested Prince Karl I of Liechtenstein with Troppau, whose successors bear the ducal title ever since.

Ecclesiastical Duchy of Nysa

Established in 1290 by High Duke Henry IV Probus, held by the Bishops of Wrocław

Major part annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia after the First Silesian War in 1742.

Prussian part secularised in 1810.

  • 1823-1832 Emanuel von Schimonsky
  • 1835-1840 Leopold von Sedlnitzky
  • 1843-1844 Joseph Knauer
  • 1845-1850 Melchior von Diepenbrock

Theocracy abolished in 1850.

See also

List of Polish rulers
Piast dynasty
Dukes of Masovia
Dukes of Greater Poland
Dukes of Little Poland
Dukes of Cuiavia
Dukes of Sieradz-Łęczyca

References

  • Neue deutsche Biographie, Berlin 2001, Bd.: 20, p. 403-407
  • Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, Leipzig 1905-1909, Bd.: 17, p. 845-847