Duke of Silesia

The Duke of Silesia was the sons and descendants of the Polish Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth. In accordance with the last will and testament of Bolesław, upon his death his lands were divided into four or five 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. Subsequent developments lead to further splintering of the duchies.

At the beginning of the 14th century, fourteen 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 ecclesiastical 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.

Duchy of Silesia[]

The Duchy of Silesia, 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 Wrocław/Lower Silesia.

Dukes of Silesia[]

Piast Dynasty[]

Ruler		Born	Reign	Death	Ruling Part	Notes
Ladislaus II the Exile		1105	1138–1146	30 May 1159	Silesia	also monarch of Poland exiled by his half-brothers
Boleslaus IV the Curly		1125	1146–1163	5 January 1173	Silesia	half-brother of Ladislaus II also Duke of Masovia and monarch of Poland

Partitions of Silesia[]

In 1173 Bolesław returned and he agreed to let Mieszko and Bolesław rule in their own Duchies, separated from the Duchy of Silesia. This led 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.

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. 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.

Upper Silesia[]

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

Partition table[]

       Below follows a simplified table of Silesia's partitions:

Duchy of Silesia (1138-1163)

Lower Silesia (1163-1241)

Opole-Racibórz (1st creation) (1163-1282)

Wrocław (1241-1335)

Żagań (1st creation) (1274-1304)

Głogów (1st creation) (1274-1331)

Świdnica-Jawor (divided into Świdnica and Jawor 1312-1346) (1274-1392)

Legnica (1st creation) (1241-1413)

Cieszyn (1281-1653)

Opole (1282-1521)

Bytom (1282-1357)

Racibórz (1282-1336)

Żagań (2nd creation) (1309-1318)

Oleśnica (1312-1492)

Ziębice (1312-1442)

Oświęcim (1315-1457)

Żagań (3rd creation) (1321-1504)

Annexed by Bohemia

Annexed by Bohemia

Annexed by Bohemia (recovered in 1521)

Part of Jawor (1337-1346)

Brzeg (1st creation) (1342-1392) (divided (1358–68) in two halves, one of them was part of Świdnica-Jawor)

Annexed by Bohemia (Żagań recovered Half 1 1349; Świdnica-Jawor Half 2 1360)

Lubin (1st creation) (1348-1446)

Shared rule by Oleśnica and Cieszyn (1357-1459) Part of Oleśnica (1459-1498) (recovered for Opole 1498)

Part of reunified Świdnica-Jawor (1360-1368)

Annexed by Bohemia (Half 2 recovered 1384)

Głogów (Half 1, 2nd creation) (1378-1403)

Part of Cieszyn (1384-1404)

Annexed by Bohemia

Oława (1st creation) (1400-1431)

Brzeg (2nd creation) (1400-1443)

Głogów (Half 2, 2nd creation) (1404-1406)

Part of Cieszyn (1406-1442)

Głogów (Half 1, 3rd creation) (1412-1480)

Part of Brzeg (1413-1443)

Oława (2nd creation) (1441-1454)

Głogów (Half 2, 3rd creation) (1442-1460)

Annexed by Bohemia

Legnica (2nd creation) (1443-1449)

Part of Lubin (1443-1450)

Zator (1445-1513)

Part of Głogów (Half 1) (1446-1482)

Annexed by Bohemia

Annexed by Bohemia

Legnica (3rd creation) (1454-1596)

Part of Legnica (1454-1482) (reunited with Legnica 1482)

Part of Cieszyn (1460-1477)

Głogów (Half 2, 4th creation) (1477-1480)

Głogów (reunited) (1480-1488)'

Annexed by Poland

Brzeg (3rd creation) (1488-1503)

Annexed by Bohemia

Annexed by Saxony

Brzeg (4th creation) (1505-1521)

Annexed by Poland

Lubin (2nd creation) (1521-1550)

Part of Legnica (1521-1547)

Opole-Racibórz (2nd creation) (1521-1532)

Annexed by Brandenburg-Ansbach

Brzeg (5th creation) (1547-1664)

Oława (3rd creation) (1586-1595)

Oława (4th creation) (1602-1605)

Legnica (4th creation) (1612-1672)

Annexed by Bohemia

Annexed by Bohemia

Oława (5th creation) (1672-1680)

Annexed by Bohemia

Dukes of Lower and Upper Silesia[]

A quick reminder avoiding confusion:

Lower Silesia	Upper Silesia
Duchy of Wrocław Duchy of Legnica Duchy of Głogów Duchy of Świdnica-Jawor Duchy of Wrocław Duchy of Oleśnica	Duchy of Opole-Racibórz (divided after 1282) Duchy of Cieszyn Duchy of Bytom Duchy of Oświęcim Duchy of Zator

Piast Dynasty[]

Ruler		Born	Reign	Death	Ruling part	Consort	Notes
Boleslaus I the Tall		1127	1163–1201	8 December 1201	Lower Silesia	Zvenislava of Kiev 1142 two children Christina 1157 seven children
Mieszko III Tanglefoot		1130	1163–1211	6 May 1211	Upper Silesia	Ludmila of Bohemia between 1170 and 1178 five children	First Duke of Upper Silesia, emerged from Silesia with the Duchy of Lower Silesia.
Henry I the Bearded		1165	1201–1238	19 March 1238	Lower Silesia	1188 seven children	Also monarch of Poland.
Casimir II		1179/80	1211–1230	13 May 1230	Opole-Racibórz (Upper Silesia)	Viola of Bulgaria between 1212 and 1220 four children
Henry II the Pious		1196	1238–1241	9 April 1241	Lower Silesia	Anna of Bohemia 1216 ten children	Also monarch of Poland.
Mieszko II the Fat under guardianship of Henry I the Bearded (1230-38) and Henry II the Pious (1238-39)		1220	1230-1246	22 October 1246	Opole-Racibórz (Upper Silesia)	Judith of Masovia c.1239-1240 no children
Henry III the White[1] under guardianship of Anna of Bohemia (1241-42)		1227 or 1230	1242–1266	3 December 1266	Wrocław	Judith of Masovia 2 June 1252 two children Helena of Saxony before 1266 no children	Son of Henry II the Pious
Boleslaus II the Bald under guardianship of Anna of Bohemia (1241-42)		c. 1220/5	1242–1278	26–31 December 1278	Legnica	Hedwig of Anhalt 1242 seven children Euphemia of Pomerelia 1261 (annulled 1277) no children Sophia of Dyhrn (morganatic) 1277 no children	Brother of Henry III the White. He gained Legnica in the partition of 1248.
Ladislaus I		1225	1246–1282	27 August or 13 September 1282	Opole-Racibórz (Upper Silesia)	Euphemia of Greater Poland 1251 five children	In 1282 Opole-Raciborz was divided in various duchies, to the four sons of Władysław.
Conrad I[2]		1228/31	1251-1274	6 August 1274	Głogów	Salome of Greater Poland 1249 six children Sophie of Landsberg 1271 no children	First duke of Głogów. Brother of Henry III the White and Boleslaw II the Bald.
Henry IV the Just[3]		1257/1258	1266–1290	23 June 1290	Wrocław	Constance of Opole March 1280 no children Matilda of Brandenburg-Salzwedel c. 1288 no children	also monarch of Poland.
Henry V the Fat[4]		1248	1273–1278	22 February 1296	Świdnica-Jawor	Elisabeth of Greater Poland 1277 eight children	Son of Boleslaus II, was made first Duke of Świdnica-Jawor in his father's lifetime. After Boleslaus II's death, he gave this duchy to his brother Boleslaus III to inherit Legnica. In 1290 after the death of the childless Henry IV, he also inherited Wrocław.
			1278–1290		Legnica
			1290–1296		Wrocław and Legnica
Przemko I[5]		1252/65	1274-1284	26 February 1289	Żagań	Unmarried	Żagań emerged in 1274 from Głogów.
Bolko I the Strict[6]		1252/6	1278–1301	9 November 1301	Świdnica-Jawor	Beatrice of Brandenburg-Salzwedel 4 October 1284 Berlin ten children	Ruled jointly with his brother, Bernard I. In 1296 was appointed regent for his nephews, sons of Henry V.
Bernard I the Lightsome		1253/7	1278–1286	25 April 1286	Świdnica-Jawor	Unmarried	jointly with Bolko I.
Premislaus		12 June 1268	1282–1306	7 May 1306	Racibórz	Anna of Masovia between 1289 and 1290 three children	Sons of Ladislaus I, ruled jointly until 1290, when Mieszko founded his own duchy, Cieszyn.
Mieszko I[7]		1252/6	1282–1290	27 June 1315|	Racibórz	Unknown between 1275 and 1280 three children
			1290-1315		Cieszyn
Bolko [Boleslaus] I[8]		before 21 October 1258	1282-1313	14 May 1313	Opole	Grimislava? before 1286 Agnes c.1280 three children	Sons of Ladislaus I, ruled jointly. In 1284, they divided the land: Boleslaus retained Opole and Casimir received Bytom, as its first duke.
Casimir[9]		1253/7	1282–1284	10 March 1312	Opole	Helena between 1275 and 1278 six children
			1284-1312		Bytom
Conrad II the Hunchback[10]		1252/65	1284-1304	11 October 1304	Żagań	Unmarried	Brother of Przemko. Also Duke of Głogów.
Boleslaus III the Generous under guardianship of Bolko I the Strict (1296-1301), Heinrich of Würben (1301-02) and Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (1302-05)		23 September 1291	1296–1311	21 April 1352	Wrocław and Legnica	Margaret of Bohemia 1318 three children Katharina of Croatia 1326 no children	Freed from regency at fourteen, Boleslaus ruled with his younger brothers, Henry and Ladislaus, until 1311, when they divided the land. He received Legnica, together with Ladislaus. After a year of co-rulership, Boleslaus expelled Ladislaus and excluded him from government. Becoming sole ruler, he created, in 1312, the Duchy of Brzeg, which ruled until his death, Abdicating of Legnica for his son in 1342. Henry received Wrocław, but, in 1327 having no male heirs, signed a contract of inheritance with King John of Bohemia and upon his death the Duchy of Wrocław fell to the Kingdom of Bohemia.
			1312–1342		Legnica
			1312–1352		Brzeg
Ladislaus I under guardianship of Bolko I the Strict (1296-1301), Heinrich of Würben (1301-02) and Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (1302-05)		6 June 1296	1296–1311	after 13 January 1352	Wrocław and Legnica	Anna of Masovia 1325 (annulled 1329) no children
			1311–1312		Legnica
Henry VI the Good[11] under guardianship of Bolko I the Strict (1296-1301), Heinrich of Würben (1301-02) and Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (1302-05)		18 March 1294	1296–1311	24 November 1335	Wrocław and Legnica	Anna of Austria 1310 three children
			1311–1335		Wrocław
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia
Henry III[1][12]		1251/60	1274–1304	3 December 1309	Głogów	Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg March 1291 nine children	Son of Conrad I. Ruling Głogów since 1274, united it with Żagań after his brother's death, but after his own death the lands are again divided.
			1304–1309		Głogów and Żagań
Leszek		1292	1306–1336	1336	Racibórz	Agnes of Głogów-Żagań 1332 no children	Son of Przemysław I. After his death in 1336, Raciborz was annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1306–1521)
Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg		1276	1309-1318	26 April 1318	Głogów	Henry III March 1291 nine children	Widow of Henry III.
Henry IV the Faithful[13]		1292	1309–1318	22 January 1342	Żagań	Matilda of Brandenburg-Salzwedel 5 January 1310 four children	Sons of Henry III, inherited, together, Żagań. In 1312, Conrad and Boleslaus created their own duchy with its capital in Oleśnica, becoming the first dukes of Oleśnica. The death of Boleslaus left Conrad as sole ruler of his duchy. Henry and Premislaus continued the joint rule. They reunited again, and as their father did, the two duchies of the paternal inheritance after the death of their mother. In 1321 the two brothers made new partitions. From 1321, Henry ruled Żagań and Premislaus ruled Głogów. After the childless death of Premislaus, his duchy was briefly annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.
			1318–1321		Głogów and Żagań
			1321–1342		Żagań
Przemko II[14]		1305	1318–1321	11 January 1331	Żagań	Constance of Świdnica 1326 no children
			1318–1321		Głogów and Żagań
			1321–1331		Głogów
Conrad I[15]		1294	1309–1312	22 December 1366	Żagań	Elisabeth of Wroclaw 10 January 1322 no children Euphemia of Bytom 2 March 1333 two children
			1312–1366		Oleśnica
Boleslaus I[16]		1295	1309–1312	before 23 April 1321	Żagań	Unmarried
			1312–1321		Oleśnica
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1331–1337)
Bernard II the Stable under guardianship of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel (1301-05)		1291	1301–1326	6 May 1326	Świdnica-Jawor (1301–1312) Świdnica (1312–1326)	Kunigunde of Poland 1310 five children	Henry and Bernard ruled together until 1312, then divided the land between them. Henry kept also Głogów, which he recovered from Bohemia. However, Głogów returns to Bohemian control after Henry's death.
Henry I[17] under guardianship of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel (1301-05)		1292/6	1301–1337	before 15 May 1346	Świdnica-Jawor (1301–1312) Jawor (1312–1337)	Agnes of Bohemia 1316 no children
			1337–1346		Jawor and Głogów
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1346–1349/60) In 1349 Henry V of Iron (son of Henry the Fatithful) recovered half of the inheritance of his uncle Przemko in Głogów from Bohemia; the other half was given to Przemko's widow, Constance, in 1360.
Siemowit		1292	1312–1316	after 1 July 1342	Bytom	Unmarried	Son of Casimir. Deposed in 1316.
Bolko [Boleslaus] II[8]		before 1300	1313–1356	21 June 1356	Opole	Elisabeth of Świdnica 6 May 1326 seven children	Sons of Bolko I, ruled jointly.
Albert		after 1300	1313–1323	25 September 1373	Opole	Agnes of Magdeburg 1347 one child
Casimir I[18]		1280/90	1315–1358	29 September 1358	Cieszyn	Euphemia of Czersk-Warsaw 1321 nine children
Ladislaus I[19]		1275/80	1315–1324	15 May 1324	Oświęcim	Euphrosyne of Masovia c. 1304 two children	First Duke of Oświęcim, which emerged from Cieszyn.
Ladislaus I[19]		1277/83	1316–1352	8 September 1352	Bytom	Beatrice of Brandenburg-Salzwedel 21 September 1308 two children Ludgarda of Mecklenburg 6 October 1328 six children	Brother of Siemowit. Ruled jointly with his brother George until 1327.
George I		1300	1316–1327	1327	Bytom	Unmarried	Ruled jointly with his brother Ladislaus.
Bolko II[20]		1 February 1300	1322–1341	11 June 1341	Ziębice	Bonne of Savoy-Vaud 21 November 1321 two children	First duke of Ziębice. Son of Bolko the Strict.
John I the Scholastic under guardianship of Euphrosyne of Masovia (1324-25)		1308/10	1324–1372	29 September 1372	Oświęcim	Unknown one child Salome Reuss von Plauen after 12 July 1359 three children
Nicholas I the Small		1327	1341–1358	23 April 1358	Ziębice	Agnes Krusina zu Lichtemburka 23 October 1343 six children
Henry V of Iron[21]		1319	1342–1349	after 8 April 1369	Żagań	Anna of Płock 6 September 1337 five children	Son of Henry IV the Faithful. In 1349 1st half of Głogów reemerges from Bohemia to be annexed by Żagań line of the Piasts.
			1349–1369		Żagań and Głogów (1st half)
Katharina of Croatia		?	1352-1358	before 5 March 1358	Brzeg	Boleslaus III the Generous 1326 no children	Widow. After her death the duchy was divided between Louis the Fair (her stepson) and Bolko the Small.
Boleslaus I[22]		1330	1352–1355	4 October 1355	Bytom	14 February 1347 three children	Son of Ladislaus IV. After his death his widow inherited the duchy. In 1357 the duchy was divided in two parts, being one annexed by the Duchy of Oleśnica, and the other annexed by the Duchy of Cieszyn.
Margareta of Sternberg		?	1355–1357	after 5 June 1365	Bytom
Definitive annexation to the duchies of Oleśnica and Cieszyn
Ladislaus II[23]		1332	1356–1396	18 May 1401	Opole	Elisabeth of Wallachia c. 1355 three children Euphemia of Masovia 1369 two children	Sons of Bolko II, ruled jointly.
Henry[24]		before 18 August 1338	1356–1365	before 23 October 1365	Opole	Unmarried
Bolko III[25]		1337	1356–1370	21 October 1382	Opole	Anna of Oświęcim c. 1355 five children
Bolko III[25]		1348	1358–1410	13 June 1410	Ziębice	Euphemia of Bytom 1369 eight children	Sons of Nicholas I, ruled jointly.
Henry I[26]		1350	1358–1366	after 8 August 1366	Ziębice	Unmarried
Constance of Świdnica		1313	1360–1361	21 November 1363	Głogów (2nd half)	Przemko II 1326 no children	In 1360 Half 2 of Głogów reemerges from Bohemia to be given to Constance, widow of Przemko II. She renounces the title in favour of her brother Bolko II.
Bolko II the Small[27]		1312	1326–1361	28 July 1368	Świdnica (1326–1346) Świdnica-Jawor (1346–1361)	Agnes of Austria 1 June 1338 no children	Sons of Bernard II, ruled jointly until Henry's death in 1343. In 1346, after his uncle Henry I's death with no male heirs, he reunites Świdnica-Jawor in one duchy. Bolko also bought half of Brzeg in 1358. Brother of Constance, widow duchess of Głogów, inherited part of the duchy from her. After his death in 1368, the half of Głogów returned the Kingdom of Bohemia, and the half of Brzeg to Louis the Fair.
			1358–1361		Brzeg (2nd half)
			1361–1368		Świdnica-Jawor, Brzeg (2nd half) and Głogów (2nd half)
Annexation of 2nd half to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1368–1384)
Henry II		1316	1334–1343	28 June 1345	Świdnica	Katharina of Hungary 1 June 1338 one child
Wenceslaus I		1318	1342–1364	2 June 1364	Legnica	Anna of Cieszyn c.1338 five children	Sons of Boleslaus IV, ruled jointly until 1346, when Louis created his own duchy, Lubin, which he ruled until his death. In 1358 inherited half of Brzeg from his stepmother Katharina. Reunited Brzeg after the death of the owner of the other part, Bolko the Small (1368).
Louis I the Fair		1321	1342–1346	6–23 December 1398	Legnica	Agnes of Głogów-Żagań 1341 six children
			1348–1398		Lubin
			1358–1398		Brzeg (1st half, 1358–1368) Brzeg (1368–1398)
Henry VII the Courageous[28]		1343/5	1361–1398	11 July 1399	Brzeg (1st half, 1358–1368) Brzeg (1368–1398)	Helena of Orlamunde 1369 one child Margaret of Masovia July 1379 one child	Duke of Brzeg jointly with his father Louis I, inherited Lubin from him.
			1398–1399		Brzeg and Lubin
Rupert I		27 March 1347	1364–1409	before 12 January 1409	Legnica	Hedwig of Zagan 10 February 1372 two children	Sons of Wenceslaus I, ruled jointly.
Wenceslaus II		1348	1364–1413	30 December 1419	Legnica	Unmarried
Boleslaus IV		1349	1364–1394	3/4 March 1394	Legnica	Unmarried
Henry VIII[29]		1355	1364–1398	12 December 1398	Legnica	Unmarried
Conrad II the Gray[30]		1340	1366–1403	10 June 1403	Oleśnica	Agnes of Cieszyn 23 February 1354 one child	Son of Conrad I.
Agnes of Austria		1322	1368–1392	2 February 1392	Świdnica-Jawor	Bolko II the Small 1 June 1338 no children	Widow, succeeded her husband according to his will. After her death the duchy was annexed to the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia
Henry VI the Older[31]		before 1345	1369–1378	5 December 1393	Żagań and Głogów (1st half)	Hedwig of Legnica 10 February 1372 no children	Sons of Henry V, ruled jointly until 1378. In that year, they made partitions: Henry VI retained Żagań and Henry VII the half of Głogów. Henry VIII received a few towns, but he eventually succeeded his heirless brother Henry VII in 1395.
			1378–1393		Żagań
Henry VII Rumpold[32]		1350	1369–1378	24 December 1395	Żagań and Głogów (1st half)	Unmarried
			1378–1395		Głogów (Half 1)
Henry VIII the Sparrow[33]		1357	1369–1378	14 March 1397	Żagań and Głogów (1st half)	Katharina of Opole 1382 five children
			1395-1397		Głogów (1st half)
John II		1344/51	1372–1376	19 February 1376	Oświęcim	Hedwig of Brieg 1366 three children	Son of John I.
John III		1366	1376–1405	19 August 1405	Oświęcim	Hedwig of Lithuania 1394 no children	Son of John II. Left no descendants. The duchy went to a son of Premislaus IV.
Premislaus I Noszak		1332/6	1358–1410	23 May 1410	Cieszyn	Elisabeth of Bytom 1360 three children	Upper Duke of Cieszyn, in 1284 recovered part of the Lower Silesian duchy of Głogów from Bohemia. Abdicated of Głogów for his son, Premislaus, in 1404, but recovered it in 1406.
			1384–1404 1406–1410		Głogów (2nd half)
Premislaus The Younger[34]		1362	1404–1406	1 January 1406	Głogów (2nd half)	Unknown one child	Received, in his father's lifetime, the duchy of Głogów. In the next year also inherited Oświęcim from John III. Preceded his father in death, but left descendants to rule in Oświęcim, while Głogów returned to his father.
			1405–1406		Oświęcim
Hedwig of Legnica		1351	1393–1403	1 August 1409	Żagań	Henry VI the Older 10 February 1372 no children	Widow of Henry VI.
Bolko IV[35]		1363/7	1396–1437	6 May 1437	Opole	Margaret of Gorizia 1398 five children	Sons of Bolko III, ruled jointly. In 1422, Bolko V, Bolko IV's son, joined the co-rulership, but abdicated two years after, to rule Niemodlin and Strzelce, vassal towns of Opole.
Bishop Jan Kropidło		1360/4	1396–1421	3 March 1421	Opole	Unmarried
Bernard I[36]		1374/8	1396–1400	2/4 April 1455	Opole	Hedwig of Melsztyna two children
Bolko V the Hussite[35]		c.1400	1422–1424	29 May 1460	Opole	Elisabeth Granowski c. 1418 one child
John I[37]		1385	1397–1412	12 April 1439	Głogów (1st half)	Scholastika of Saxe-Wittenberg c.1405 ten children	Sons of Henry VI, ruled jointly in the half of Głogów, inherited from their uncle Henry VIII. In 1403 inherited Żagań from their mother Hedwig. In 1412 divided the land between them. After the partition, John ruled alone in Żagań, and the other brothers continued the joint rule in Głogów. With the abdication of Wenceslaus and the death of Henry X, Henry IX became sole ruler from 1423. In 1446 he inherited Lubin.
			1403–1439		Żagań
Henry IX the Older[38]		1387	1397-1403 1412–1467	11 November 1467	Głogów (1st half)	Hedwig of Oleśnica c. 1432 six children
			1403–1412		Żagań
Henry X Rumpold[39]		1390	1397–1403 1412–1423	18 January 1423	Głogów (1st half)	Unmarried
			1403–1412		Żagań
Wenceslaus I[40]		1391	1397-1403 1412-1417	before 4 February 1431	Głogów (1st half)	Unmarried
			1403–1412		Żagań
Henry IX[38]		1369	1399-1400	10 July 1420	Lubin and Brzeg	Anna of Cieszyn 20 September 1396 six children	Reunited for a brief period the regional duchy of Lubin and Brzeg under his rule. In 1400 divided the inherited land with his brother Louis, who received Brzeg. However Henry also retained a part of this duchy, called Oława.
			1400–1420		Lubin and Oława
Louis II		1380/5	1400–1413	30 May 1436	Brzeg	Hedwig Zapólya before 14 August 1409 no children Elisabeth of Brandenburg 9 April 1418 Konstanz no children	Received Brzeg, and reunited it with Legnica in 1413. However, died without descendants. His lands were inherited by his widow.
			1413–1436		Legnica and Brzeg
Conrad III the Old		1359	1403-1412	28 December 1412	Oleśnica	Judith (?) c.1380 seven children	Son of Conrad IV.
Casimir I[41]		1396	1406-1434	7 April 1434	Oświęcim	Anna of Zagan before 28 May 1417 three children Margareta of Racibórz 1433 no children	Son of Premislaus V.
Boleslaus I		1363	1410–1431	6 May 1431	Cieszyn and Głogów (Half 2)	Margareta of Opava-Raciborz 1 January 1406 no children Euphemia of Masovia 20 November 1412 five children
John I		1358	1410–1428	27 August 1428	Ziębice	Elizabeth Lackfi 19 March 1408 one child	Sons of Bolko III, ruled jointly. From 1420 ruled alone. After his death the duchy was annexed to the Kingdom of Bohemia, and later mortgaged it to Půta III of Častolovice during 1429–1435.
Henry II		1396	1410–1420	11 March 1420	Ziębice	Unmarried
Conrad IV the Older		1384	1412-1416	9 August 1447	Oleśnica	Unmarried	Sons of Conrad III, ruled jointly.
Conrad V Kantner		1385	1412–1439	10 September 1439	Oleśnica	Margaret (?) 9 October 1411 five children
Conrad VI the Dean		1391	1416–1427	3 September 1427	Oleśnica	Unmarried
Conrad VII the White		after 1396	1416–1427 1439–1450	14 February 1452	Oleśnica	Katharina (?) 2 February 1437 no children Dorothea of Warsaw? 7 March 1450 no children
Conrad VIII the Younger		after 1397	1416–1427	5 September 1444	Oleśnica	Unmarried
Rupert II		1396/1402	1420–1431	24 August 1431	Legnica-Lubin	Unmarried	Regional duke in Legnica. Jointly with his brother Louis.
Wenceslaus III		1400	1420–1423	14 January/28 May 1423	Oława	Unmarried	Son of Henry IX. After his death his duchy reunited with Lubin.
Louis III		before 1405	1423–1431	before 18 June 1441	Oława	Margareta of Opole c.1423 two children	Son of Henry IX, inherited Oława from his childless brother. After his death his lands were divided between his sons and his widow.
			1431–1441		Lubin and Oława
Wenceslaus I[42]		1418	1434–1445	c.28 July 1368	Oświęcim	Maria Kopczowski c. 1450 seven children	Sons of Casimir I, ruled jointly. In 1445 Wenceslaus created for himself the duchy of Zator. Premislaus abdicated from power, and John became sole ruler over Oświęcim, which was annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1457.
			1445–1468		Zator
Premislaus		1425	1434–1445	December 1484	Oświęcim	Margareta of Opole 23 February 1463 one child
John IV		1426/30	1434–1457	c.21 February 1497	Oświęcim	Katharina 30 December 1465 no children Barbara of Karniów c. 1475 one child
Definitive annexation to the Kingdom of Poland
Ziębice was recovered to the Piasts
Euphemia		1385	1435–1442	17 November 1447	Ziębice	Frederick III of Oettingen 1397 nine children	Daughter of Bolko III. In 1435 she bought the Duchy to the Emperor and Častolovice's heiresses. In 1442 it was sold to the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia
Elisabeth of Brandenburg		29 September 1403	1436–1443	31 October 1449	Legnica and Brzeg	Louis II 9 April 1418 Konstanz no children Wenceslaus I, Duke of Cieszyn 17 February 1439 (annulled 1445) no children	Widow of Louis II. In 1443 is forced to give Brzeg to John I and Henry X of Lubin. After her death in 1449, Legnica-Legnica was annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.
			1443–1449		Legnica
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1449–1454)
John I[43]		1410/3	1437–1439	5 September 1439	Opole	Unmarried	Sons of Boleslaus XIII, ruled jointly. After John's death in 1439, Nicholas ruled alone. In 1450 he bought Brzeg.
Nicholas I[44]		1424	1437–1450	3 July 1476	Opole	Magdalena of Brieg February 1442 ten children
Margareta of Opole		1412/4	1441–1454	15 January 1454	Brzeg-Oława	Louis III c. 1423 two children	Widow of Louis III.
John I		1425	1441–1446	after 21 November 1453	Lubin	Hedwig of Brzeg February 1445 one child	Sons of Louis III, ruled jointly. In 1443 they inherit Brzeg from Elisabeth of Brandenburg. In 1446, due to the difficult financial situation, Lubin was sold to the Duchy of Głogów. In 1450 Brzeg is sold to Opole.
			1443–1450		Brzeg
Henry X.[45]		1426	1441–1446	before 28 May 1452	Lubin	Unmarried
			1443–1450		Brzeg
Lubin was bought by Henry IX the Older, duke of Głogów
Brzeg was bought by duke Nicholas I of Opole
Ladislaus I[46] under guardianship of Euphemia of Masovia (1431-42)		1420	1431–1460	14 February 1460	Cieszyn and Głogów (Half 2)	Margareta of Celje December 1444 no children	After the partition following the end of the regency of their mother, Ladislaus retained Głogów and Wenceslaus and Premislaus Cieszyn. Boleslaus received only a few towns in Cieszyn (Bielsko and Frysztat). After Ladislaus' death, Premislaus retained co-rulership Cieszyn and Głogów, with his widowed sister-in-law. From 1468 ruled over all Cieszyn.
Wenceslaus I[47] under guardianship of Euphemia of Masovia (1431-42)		1413/8	1431–1468	1474	Cieszyn	Elisabeth of Brandenburg 17 February 1439 (annulled 1445) no children
Premislaus II under guardianship of Euphemia of Masovia (1431-42)		1422/5	1431–1460	18 March 1477	Cieszyn	Anna of Warsaw c.1465 one child
			1460–1477		Cieszyn and Głogów (2nd half)
Boleslaus II under guardianship of Euphemia of Masovia (1431-42)		1425/8	1431–1452	4 October 1452	Cieszyn	Anna of Bielsk 28 January 1448 three children
Margareta of Celje		1411	1460–1480	22 July 1480	Głogów (2nd half)	Herman I of Montfort-Pfannberg-Bregenz 15 March 1430 four children Ladislaus VI December 1444 no children
Conrad IX the Black		1415	1450–1471	14 August 1471	Oleśnica	Margareta of Rawa 1453 one child	Son of Conrad VII.
Nicholas I[48]		1424	1450–1476	3 July 1476	Opole and Brzeg	Magdalena of Brieg February 1442 ten children	Duke of Opole, bought Brzeg in 1450.
Henry XI[49]	[	1435	1467–1476	22 February 1476	Głogów (1st half)	Barbara of Brandenburg 11 October 1472 Berlin no children	Son of Henry IX.
Balthasar		1415	1439-1461 1468-1472	15 July 1472	Żagań	Agnes before 1460 one child Barbara of Cieszyn 11 September 1469 no children	Sons of John I, ruled jointly. Wenceslaus and John abdicated in 1449, and Balthasar ruled alone, but John came in 1461 and dethroned Balthasar. However the latter dethroned the usurper and ruled again. John put aside his brother in 1472 and ruled once again, but, in that year his duchy was annexed to Saxony. In 1476, John II inherits part of Glogow from his cousin Henry XI, and in 1480 reunites both parts of this duhcy. In 1482 lost Lubin for Legnica. In 1488 Głogów is annexed by the Kingdom of Poland.
Rudolph		1418	1439-1454	18 September 1454	Żagań	Unmarried
Wenceslaus[50]		1434	1439-1449	29 April 1488	Żagań	Unmarried
John II the Mad		16 April 1435	1439–1449 1461–1468 1472	22 September 1504	Żagań	Katharina of Opava c.1462 five children
			1476/1480–1482		Głogów (1st and 2nd halves, recovered 2nd half in 1480)
Annexation to the Duchy of Saxony
Annexation to the Kingdom of Poland
Lubin, since 1446 part of Głogów, reverted to Legnica
Casimir II		1450	1468–1490	8 January/7 July 1490	Zator	Margaret of Karniów c. 12 August 1482 one child	Sons of Wenceslaus I, ruled jointly. In 1490 John became sole ruler. In 1513 the Duchy is annexed by the Kingdom of Poland.
Ladislaus		1455	1468–1482	28 May or 21 September 1494	Zator	Anna before 1488 one child
Wenceslaus II[51]		1450/55	1468–1487	before 5 October 1487	Zator	Unmarried
John V[52]		before 1455	1468–1513	17 September 1513	Zator
Annexation to the Kingdom of Poland
Margareta of Rawa		1441	1471–1475	1 September 1485	Oleśnica	Konrad IX the Black 1453 one child	Widow of Conrad IX.
Barbara		1465	1475–1478	30 November 1479	Oleśnica	Unmarried	Daughter of Conrad IX. Deposed in 1478 and died in the next year.
Nicholas II		1462	1476–1497	27 June 1497	Opole and Brzeg	Unmarried	Sons of Nicholas II, ruled jointly. In 1481 they sold Brzeg to Frederick I of Legnica. From 1497 John ruled alone. In 1521 purchased Racibórz from Bohemia, and restored the . However, as he left no descendants the duchy reverted to the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach.
			1476–1481		Brzeg
John II the Good[53]		1460	1476–1521	27 March 1532	Opole	Unmarried
			1476-1481		Brzeg
			1521-1532		Opole-Racibórz
Annexation to the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Casimir II		1449	1477–1528	13 December 1528	Cieszyn	Johanna of Opava 6 October 1328 six children	Father and son, ruled jointly. Wenceslaus predeceased his father and never came to rule alone.
Wenceslaus II[54]		1488/96	1518-1524	17 November 1524	Cieszyn	1 December 1518 three children
Conrad X the White		1420	1450–1452 1478–1492	21 September 1492	Oleśnica	Dorothea Reynkenberg before 1492 (morganatic) no children	Adicated of co-rulership with his brother Conrad IX in 1452, but in 1478 expelled his niece and ruled alone. In 1492 Oleśnica was annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia
Frederick I		3 May 1446	1454–1481	9 May 1488	Legnica and Oława	5 September 1474 three children	Legnica became independent from Bohemia in 1454. In the same year inherited Brzeg-Olawa from his mother Margareta of Opole. In 1481 Frederick I of Legnica purchased Brzeg from Opole, and recovered Lubin in 1482, from John the Mad.
			1481/2–1488		Legnica (with Lubin) and Brzeg (with Oława)
Ludmila of Poděbrady		16 October 1446	1488–1503	20 January 1503	Brzeg		Widow of Frederick I. Received Brzeg as her dower, but also served as regent for her sons in Legnica.
John II under guardianship of Ludmila of Poděbrady (1488-95)		1477	1488–1495	6 March 1495	Legnica	Unmaried	jointly with his brothers, Frederick II and George I. He did not reach adulthood.
George I[55] under guardianship of Ludmila of Poděbrady (1488-98)		1481/3	1488–1505	30 May 1521	Legnica	Anna of Pomerania 9 June 1516 no children	Sons of Frederick I, ruled jointly. In 1503 inherited Brzeg from their mother. In 1505 divided the land. In 1521 Frederick inherited Brzeg from his brother.
			1503–1521		Brzeg
			1505–1521		Lubin
Frederick II the Great under guardianship of Ludmila of Poděbrady (1488-98)		12 February 1480	1488–1547	17 September 1547	Legnica	Elisabeth of Poland-Lithuania 21 November 1515 one child Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach 14 November 1519 three children
			1503–1505 1521–1547		Brzeg
Anna of Pomerania		1492	1521–1550	25 April 1550	Lubin	George I 9 July 1516 no children	Inherited Lubin from her husband. As she didn't have children, the land passed, at her death, permanently to Legnica.
Annexation to Legnica
Wenceslaus III Adam under joint guardianship of (1528-39) and John III of Pernstein (1528-45)		December 1524	1528–1579	4 November 1579	Cieszyn	Maria of Pernstein 8 February 1540 three children 25 November 1567 Cieszyn six children
Frederick Casimir		December 1541/January 1542	1560–1571	4 May 1571	Cieszyn	28 December 1563 Legnica one child	Son of Wenceslaus, co-ruled with him from 1560 but preceded his father in death.
Frederick III		22 February 1520	1547–1559	15 December 1570	Legnica (Legnica and Lubin)	Katharina of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 3 March 1538 Legnica six children	Absorbed Lubin again in 1550.
George II the Pious		18 July 1523	1547–1586	7 May 1586	Brzeg	Barbara of Brandenburg 15 February 1545 Berlin seven children	Jointly with his brother Frederick II.
Henry XI[49]		23 February 1539	1559–1581	3 March 1588	Legnica	Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach 11 November 1560 Legnica six children
Adam Wenceslaus under guardianship of (1579-94)		12 December 1574	1579–1617	13 July 1617	Cieszyn	Elisabeth of Courland 17 September 1595 five children
Frederick IV		20 April 1552	1581–1596	27 March 1596	Legnica	Maria Sidonia of Cieszyn 20 January 1587 no children Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg 23 November 1589 no children Anna of Württemberg 24 October 1594 no children
Barbara of Brandenburg		10 August 1527	1586–1595	2 January 1595	Brzeg-Brzeg	George II 15 February 1545 Berlin seven children	Widow, ruled in Brzeg.
John George		17 June 1552	1586–1592	6 July 1592	Brzeg-Oława	Anna of Württemberg 16 September 1582 Brzeg no children
Anna of Württemberg		17 June 1552	1592–1594	6 July 1592	Brzeg-Oława	John George 16 September 1582 Brzeg no children Frederick IV 24 October 1594 no children	She married twice, so in 1594 she was stripped from her duchy.
Joachim Frederick		29 September 1550	1586–1592 1594–1595	25 March 1602	Oława	19 May 1577 Brzeg six children	Initially co-ruler with his brother, John George, after his death the duchy went to his widow, which was stripped from her when she married again. He reunited Brzeg, and then reunited it with Legnica in 1596.
			1595–1596		Brzeg (with Oława)
			1596–1602		Legnica and Brzeg
Anna Maria of Anhalt		29 September 1550	1602–1605	25 March 1602	Oława		Received Olawa after her husband's death. She also served as regent for her children in the other possessions of her husband. She did not do it by herself. She had co-rulership on her regency. After her death the regency was taken by the sister of Joachim Frederick, Elisabeth Magdalena, and her husband, who ruled until the brothers came of age, in 1609.
George Rudolf under joint guardianship of Anna Maria of Anhalt (1602-05), and Charles II of Poděbrady (1602-09)		12 January 1595	1609–1612	14 January 1653	Legnica and Brzeg	Sophia Elisabeth of Anhalt-Dessau 4 November 1614 Dessau no children Elisabeth Magdalena of Munsterberg 5 December 1624 no children	Sons of Joachim Frederick, ruled jointly until 1612. In that year they made partitions. George Rudolf received Legnica and John Christian Brzeg. George left no descendants, and was succeeded by his nephews.
			1612–1653		Legnica
John Christian under joint guardianship of Anna Maria of Anhalt (1602-05), and Charles II of Poděbrady (1602-09)		28 August 1591	1609–1612	25 December 1639	Legnica and Brzeg	Dorothea Sibylle of Brandenburg 12 December 1610 Berlin thirteen children Anna Hedwig Sitzsch (morganatic) 13 September 1626 Brzeg seven children
			1612–1633		Brzeg
Frederick William under guardianship of Charles of Austria, Bishop of Wroclaw (1617-24)		9 November 1601	1617–1625	19 August 1625	Cieszyn	Unmarried
Elizabeth Lucretia		1 June 1599	1625–1653	19 May 1653	Cieszyn	Gundakar, Prince of Liechtenstein 23 April 1618 no children	After her death, Cieszyn was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire.
Definitive annexation to the Holy Roman Empire
Louis IV		19 April 1616	1653–1663	24 November 1653	Legnica	Anna Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow 8 May 1649 Brzeg one child	Sons of John Christian, ruled jointly in Legnica. George was already duke of Brzeg since his father's death. As George didn't have no descendants he was succeeded in his domains by his brother Christian. The latter, after his own death, left Oława for his widow, and the remaining lands were inherited by his own son.
George III		4 September 1611	1633-1664	4 July 1664	Brzeg	Sophia Katharina of Munsterberg 23 February 1638 Bernstadt one child Elisabeth Marie Charlotte of Palatinate-Simmern-Kaiserslautern 19 October 1660 Brzeg no children
			1653–1654 1663–1664		Legnica
Christian		9 April 1618	1653–1654 1663–1672	28 February 1672	Legnica	Louise of Anhalt-Dessau 24 November 1648 Dessau four children
			1664–1672		Brzeg
George William		29 September 1660	1672–1675	21 November 1675	Legnica and Brzeg	Unmarried	Last male representative of the House of Piast. Died without descendants.
Annexation to the Holy Roman Empire
Louise of Anhalt-Dessau		10 February 1631	1672–1680	25 April 1680	Oława	Christian 24 November 1648 Dessau four children	Regional duchess in Brzeg, widow of Christian. After her death the Duchy was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire.
Annexation to the Holy Roman Empire

Ecclesiastical Duchy of Nysa[]

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

• 1302–1319 Henry of Wiebrzno
• 1326–1341 Nankier
• 1342–1376 Przecław of Pogarell
• 1382–1417 Wenceslaus II of Legnica
• 1417–1447 Konrad IV of Oleśnica
• 1447–1456 Peter II Nowak
• 1456–1467 Jošt of Rožmberk
• 1468–1482 Rudolf of Rüdesheim
• 1482–1506 Jan IV Roth
• 1506–1520 Jan V Thurzo
• 1520–1539 Jacob of Salza
• 1539–1562 Balthazar of Promnitz
• 1562–1574 Caspar of Logau
• 1574–1585 Martin Gerstmann
• 1585–1596 Andreas Jerin
• 1596–1599 Bonaventura Hahn
• 1599–1600 Paul Albert of Radolfzell
• 1600–1608 Jan VI of Sitsch
• 1608–1624 Charles of Austria, son of Charles II, Archduke of Austria
• 1625–1655 Karol Ferdynand Vasa, Duke of Opole from 1648
• 1656–1662 Leopold Wilhelm of Habsburg
• 1663–1664 Charles Joseph of Habsburg, also Grand Master of the Teutonic Order from 1662
• 1665–1671 Sebastian von Rostock
• 1671–1682 Frederick of Hesse-Darmstadt
• 1683–1732 Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg
• 1732–1747 Philipp Ludwig von Sinzendorf

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

• 1747–1795 Philipp Gotthard von Schaffgotsch
• 1795–1817 Joseph Christian Franz zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Bartenstein

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 Sieradz-Łęczyca

References[]

Bibliography[]

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

Sites[]

http://www.tacitus.nu/historical-atlas/regents/poland/silesia.htm