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.

Piast Dukes of Silesia

Partitions of Polish Silesia under Piast dynasty

       Below follows a simplified table of Silesia's partitions:

Duchy of Silesia
(1138–1163)
Lower Silesia
(1163–1241)
Opole-Racibórz,
Upper Silesia
(1st creation)

(1163–1282)
             
Wrocław
(1241–1335)
              Legnica
(1st creation)
(1241–1449)
Opole
(1282–1521)
Bytom
(1282–1357)
Racibórz
(1282–1336)
      
Oleśnica
(1312–1492)
Żagań
(1309–1504)
Głogów
(1st creation)
(1274–1331)
Świdnica-Jawor
(1274–1392)
Ziębice
(1312–1442)
       Oświęcim
(1315–1457)
Annexed to Bohemia (1331-49) Cieszyn
(1281–1653)
Annexed to Bohemia Shared inheritance of Żagań (1349-1480), with Swidnica-Jawor (1349-68), Bohemia (1368-84) and Cieszyn (1384-1480); full inheritance with Żagań (1480-88) Annexed to Bohemia
Recovered by Opole (1521)
       Lubin
(1348–1446)
Brzeg
(1st creation)
(1342–1450)
Shared inheritance of Oleśnica (1357-1498) with Cieszyn (1357-1459); Full inheritance with Oleśnica (1459-98); Recovered by Opole
Annexed to Bohemia       
Annexed to Bohemia Annexed to Bohemia Part of Żagań-Głogów (1446–82) Opole
(1282–1521)
       Zator
(1445–1513)
       Annexed to Poland
Annexed to Poland (1488) Legnica
(2nd creation)
(1454–1672)
      
Annexed to Bohemia        Brzeg
(2nd creation)
(1488–1672)
      
Annexed to Saxony        Opole-Racibórz
(1521–1532)
Annexed to Poland
       Annexed to Ansbach
Annexed to the Holy Roman Empire Annexed to the Holy Roman Empire

A quick reminder avoiding confusion:

Lower Silesia Upper Silesia

Table of rulers

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 Hedwig of Merania
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.
Regencies of Henry I the Bearded (1230–1238) and Henry II the Pious (1238–1239)
Mieszko II the Fat 1220 1230–1246 22 October 1246 Opole-Racibórz (Upper Silesia) Judith of Masovia
c. 1239–1240
no children
Regency of Anna of Bohemia (1241–1242) Sons of Henry II, made partitions in 1248: Henry got the duchy of Wrocław, and Boleslaus the duchy of Legnica.
Henry III the White 1227 or 1230 1242–1266 3 December 1266 Wrocław Judith of Masovia
2 June 1252
two children

Helena of Saxony
before 1266
no children
Boleslaus II the Bald 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
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 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 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.
Wroclaw temporarily annexed to Legnica
Henry III 1251/60 1274–1309 3 December 1309 Głogów Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg
March 1291
nine children
Children of Conrad I, divided the land. Henry III received Glogow, Przemko ruled Zagan and Conrad inherited Scinawa. Conrad would later inherit his brother Przemko's duchy, but was Henry who reunited the land after Conrasd 's land. After Henry III's won death, the lands were again divided.
Przemko I 1252/65 1274–1284 26 February 1289 Głogów (at Żagań) Unmarried
Conrad II the Hunchback 1252/65 1274–1304 11 October 1304 Głogów (at Scinawa until 1284; in Żagań since 1284) Unmarried
Henry V the Fat 1248 1273–1278 22 February 1296 Świdnica-Jawor Elisabeth of Greater Poland
1277
eight children
Children of Boleslaus II, divided the land. Henry V had been nominated by his father as duke of Świdnica-Jawor, which he gave to his brothers Bolko and Bernard to inherit the entire Legnica. In 1290, after the death of the childless Henry IV, Henry V also inherited Wrocław. In 1296, after Henry V's death, Bolko was appointed regent for his nephews (sons of Henry V).
1278–1296 Legnica
Bolko I the Strict 1252/6 1278–1301 9 November 1301 Świdnica-Jawor Beatrice of Brandenburg-Salzwedel
4 October 1284
Berlin
ten children
Bernard I the Lightsome 1253/7 1278–1286 25 April 1286 Świdnica-Jawor Unmarried
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 1252/6 1282–1315 27 June 1315 Cieszyn Unknown
between 1275 and 1280
three children
Bolko [Boleslaus] I 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 1253/7 1282–1312 10 March 1312 Bytom
(in Opole until 1284)
Helena
between 1275 and 1278
six children
Regencies of Bolko I the Strict (1296–1301), Heinrich of Würben (1301–02) and Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (1302–05) Children of Henry V, under regency until 1305. 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.
Boleslaus III the Generous 23 September 1291 1296–1342 21 April 1352 Legnica Margaret of Bohemia
1318
three children

Katharina of Croatia
1326
no children
1312–1352 Brzeg
Ladislaus I 6 June 1296 1296–1312 after 13 January 1352 Legnica Anna of Masovia
1325
(annulled 1329)
no children
Henry VI the Good 18 March 1294 1296–1335 24 November 1335 Wrocław
(in Legnica until 1311)
Anna of Austria
1310
three children
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia
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 1292 1309–1342 22 January 1342 Żagań
(in Głogów 1318–21)
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.
Przemko II 1305 1318–1331 11 January 1331 Głogów
(in Żagań 1309–21)
Constance of Świdnica
1326
no children
John 1298 1318–1365 19 May 1365 Głogów
(in Żagań 1309–18; in Ścinawa since 1318)
Constance of Świdnica
1326
no children
Conrad I 1294 1312–1366 22 December 1366 Oleśnica
(in Żagań 1309–12)
Elisabeth of Wroclaw
10 January 1322
no children

Euphemia of Bytom
2 March 1333
two children
Boleslaus 1295 1312–1321 before 23 April 1321 Oleśnica
(in Żagań 1309–12)
Unmarried
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1331–1337) and to the Jawor portion of Świdnica-Jawor (1337–1346); New 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 II's widow, Constance, in 1360.
Regency of Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel (1301–1305) 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.
Bernard II the Stable 1291 1301–1326 6 May 1326 Świdnica-Jawor(in Świdnica since 1312) Kunigunde of Poland
1310
five children
Henry I 1292/6 1301–1346 before 15 May 1346 Świdnica-Jawor(in Jawor since 1312) Agnes of Bohemia
1316
no children
Siemowit 1292 1312–1316 after 1 July 1342 Bytom Unmarried Son of Casimir. Deposed in 1316.
Bolko [Boleslaus] II 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 1280/90 1315–1358 29 September 1358 Cieszyn Euphemia of Czersk-Warsaw
1321
nine children
Ladislaus I 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 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 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.
Regency of Euphrosyne of Masovia (1324–1325)
John I the Scholastic 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 1319 1342–1369 After
8 April 1369
Żagań
(with Half A of Głogów from 1349)
Anna of Płock
6 September 1337
five children
Son of Henry IV the Faithful. In 1349 Half A of Głogów reemerges from Bohemia to be annexed by Żagań line of the Piasts.
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 from Swidnica-Jawor.
Boleslaus I 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 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 before 18 August 1338 1356–1365 before 23 October 1365 Opole Unmarried
Bolko III 1337 1356–1370 21 October 1382 Opole Anna of Oświęcim
c. 1355
five children
Bolko III 1348 1358–1410 13 June 1410 Ziębice Euphemia of Bytom
1369
eight children
Sons of Nicholas I, ruled jointly.
Henry I 1350 1358–1366 after 8 August 1366 Ziębice Unmarried
Constance of Świdnica 1313 1360–1361 21 November 1363 Głogów
(Half B)
Przemko II
1326
no children
In 1360 Half B 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 the Small.
Bolko II the Small 1312 1326–1368 28 July 1368 Świdnica-Jawor
(in Świdnica until 1346; in Half A of Brzeg since 1358, and Half B of Głogów since 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.
Henry II 1316 1334–1343 28 June 1345 Świdnica Katharina of Hungary
1 June 1338
one child
Annexation of Half B to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1368–1384)
Reintegration of Half A in Brzeg
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 1348–1398 6–23 December 1398 Lubin
(in Legnica 1342–1346)
Agnes of Głogów-Żagań
1341
six children
1358–1398 Brzeg
(in Half B until 1368)
Henry VII the Courageous 1343/5 1361–1399 11 July 1399 Brzeg
(in Half B until 1368; with Lubin since 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.
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 1355 1364–1398 12 December 1398 Legnica Unmarried
Conrad II the Gray 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 Elder before 1345 1369–1393 5 December 1393 Żagań
(in Głogów Half A until 1378)
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.
Henry VII Rumpold 1350 1369–1395 24 December 1395 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Żagań until 1378)
Unmarried
Henry VIII the Sparrow 1357 1369–1378

1395–1397
14 March 1397 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Żagań until 1378)
Catherine of Opole
1382
five children
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
(Half B)
Premislaus The Younger 1362 1404–1406 1 January 1406 Głogów
(Half B)
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 Elder
10 February 1372
no children
Widow of Henry VI.
Bolko IV 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 1374/8 1396–1400 2/4 April 1455 Opole Hedwig of Melsztyna
two children
Bolko V the Hussite c.1400 1422–1424 29 May 1460 Opole Elisabeth Granowski
c. 1418
one child
Catherine of Opole 16 March 1367 1397–1420 6 June 1420 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Prudnik, Kożuchów and Zielona Góra)
Henry VIII the Sparrow
1382
five children
Ruled in her dowry lands, which reverted to her sons after her death.
John I 1385 1403–1439 12 April 1439 Żagań
(in Głogów Half A 1397–1412)
Scholastika of Saxe-Wittenberg
c.1405
ten children
Sons of Henry VIII, 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.
Henry IX the Elder 1387 1397–1467 11 November 1467 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Żagań 1403–1412)
Hedwig of Oleśnica
c. 1432
six children
Henry X Rumpold 1390 1397–1423 18 January 1423 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Żagań 1403–1412)
Unmarried
Wenceslaus I 1391 1397–1417 before 4 February 1431 Głogów
(Half A)
(in Żagań 1403–1412)
Unmarried
Henry IX 1369 1399–1420 10 July 1420 Lubin 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.
1399–1420 Brzeg
(only in Oława from 1400)
Louis II 1380/5 1400–1436 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
Conrad III the Old 1359 1403–1412 28 December 1412 Oleśnica Judith (?)
c.1380
seven children
Son of Conrad IV.
Casimir I 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
(with Głogów Half B)
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 Elder 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 1416–1444 5 September 1444 Oleśnica
(only in Ścinawa since 1427)
Unmarried
Wenceslaus III 1400 1420–1423 14 January/28 May 1423 Brzeg
(at Oława)
Unmarried Children of Henry IX, divided their possessions. Wenceslaus kept Olawa (in Brzeg) and Rupert and Louis ruled in Lubin. Louis reunited his father's possessions. After his death his lands were divided between his sons and his widow.
Rupert II 1396/1402 1420–1431 24 August 1431 Lubin Unmarried
Louis III before 1405 1420–1441 before 18 June 1441 Lubin Margareta of Opole
c.1423
two children
1423–1441 Brzeg
(at Oława)
Wenceslaus I 1418 1434–1468 c.28 July 1368 Zator
(in Oświęcim until 1445)
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.
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 1436–1449 31 October 1449 Legnica 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 was annexed by the Kingdom of Bohemia.
1436–1443 Brzeg
Annexation to the Kingdom of Bohemia (1449–1454)
Margareta of Opole 1412/4 1441–1454 15 January 1454 Brzeg
(at Oława)
Louis III
c. 1423
two children
Widow of Louis III.
Olawa annexed to Legnica
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 1426 1441–1446 before 28 May 1452 Lubin Unmarried
1443–1450 Brzeg
Lubin was bought by Henry IX the Elder, duke of Głogów
Brzeg was bought by duke Nicholas I of Opole
Regency of Euphemia of Masovia (1431–1442) 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.
Ladislaus I 1420 1431–1460 14 February 1460 Głogów
(Half B)
(in Cieszyn until 1442)
Margareta of Celje
December 1444
no children
Wenceslaus I 1413/8 1431–1468 1474 Cieszyn Elisabeth of Brandenburg
17 February 1439
(annulled 1445)
no children
Premislaus II 1422/5 1431–1442

1468–1477
18 March 1477 Cieszyn Anna of Warsaw
c.1465
one child
1460–1477 Głogów
(Half B)
Boleslaus II 1425/8 1431–1452 4 October 1452 Cieszyn Anna of Bielsk
28 January 1448
three children
Nicholas I 1424 1437–1476 3 July 1476 Opole
(with Brzeg since 1450)
Magdalena of Brieg
February 1442
ten children
Children of Bolko IV, ruled jointly. After John's death in 1439, Nicholas ruled alone. In 1450 he bought Brzeg.
John I 1410/3 1437–1439 5 September 1439 Opole Unmarried
Conrad IX the Black 1415 1450–1471 14 August 1471 Oleśnica Margareta of Rawa
1453
one child
Son of Conrad VII.
Henry XI 1435 1467–1476 22 February 1476 Głogów
(Half A)
Barbara of Brandenburg
11 October 1472
Berlin
no children
Son of Henry IX.
Margareta of Celje 1411 1477–1480 22 July 1480 Głogów
(Half B)
Herman I of Montfort-Pfannberg-Bregenz
15 March 1430
four children

Ladislaus I
December 1444
no children
Widow of Ladislaus I, ruled with her brother-in-law Premislaus II since 1460. From 1477 ruled alone.
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 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
(both halves reunited 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 1450/55 1468–1487 before 5 October 1487 Zator Unmarried
John V before 1455 1468–1513 17 September 1513 Zator
Annexation to the Kingdom of Poland
Margareta of Rawa 1441 1471–1475 1 September 1485 Oleśnica Conrad IX the Black
1453
one child
Widow of Conrad IX.
Regency of Conrad X, Duke of Oleśnica (1475–78) Daughter of Conrad IX. Deposed in 1478 by her regent and died in the next year.
Barbara 1465 1475–1478 30 November 1479 Oleśnica Unmarried
Nicholas II 1462 1476–1497 27 June 1497 Opole
(with Brzeg until 1481)
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 Duchy of Opole-Racibórz. However, as he left no descendants the duchy reverted to the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach.
John II the Good 1460 1476–1521 27 March 1532 Opole
(with Brzeg until 1481)
Unmarried
1521–1532 Opole-Racibórz
Annexation to the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Brzeg returned to Legnica
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 1488/96 1518–1524 17 November 1524 Cieszyn Anna of Brandenburg-Ansbach
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 1454–1488 9 May 1488 Legnica
(with 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 Lubin
1481/2–1488 Brzeg
(reunited 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.
Regency of Ludmila of Poděbrady (1488–95) Ruled jointly until the end of regency. John didn't reach adulthood. In 1503, after their mother's death, George inherited Brzeg from their mother, and Frederick became sole ruler of Legnica, which, after the childless death of George in 1521, was reunited with Brzeg.
John II 1477 1488–1495 6 March 1495 Legnica Unmarried
George I 1481/3 1488–1521 30 May 1521 Brzeg
(with Lubin; in Legnica until 1505)
Anna of Pomerania
9 June 1516
no children
Frederick II the Great 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
Regencies of Anna of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1528–1539) and John III of Pernstein (1528–1545)
Wenceslaus III Adam December 1524 1528–1579 4 November 1579 Cieszyn Maria of Pernstein
8 February 1540
three children

Sidonia Katharina of Saxe-Lauenburg
25 November 1567
Cieszyn
six children
Frederick Casimir December 1541/January 1542 1560–1571 4 May 1571 Cieszyn Katharina of Legnica
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 (with Lubin) Catherine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
3 March 1538
Legnica
six children
Children of Frederick II, divided the land: Frederick III kept Legnica (and absorbed Lubin in 1550), and George II inherited Brzeg.
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 23 February 1539 1559–1581 3 March 1588 Legnica Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach
11 November 1560
Legnica
six children
Catherine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 14 April 1518 1570–1581 17 November 1581 Legnica (at Chojnów) Frederick III
3 March 1538
Legnica
six children
Widow of Frederick III.
Regency of Sidonia Katharina of Saxe-Lauenburg (1579–1594)
Adam Wenceslaus 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 George II
15 February 1545
Berlin
seven children
Widow, ruled in Brzeg.
John George 17 June 1552 1586–1592 6 July 1592 Brzeg
(at Oława)
Anna of Württemberg
16 September 1582
Brzeg
no children
Anna of Württemberg 17 June 1552 1592–1594 7 July 1616 Brzeg
(at 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

1594–1602
25 March 1602 Brzeg
(at Oława; in the entire Brzeg since 1595)
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.
1596–1602 Legnica
Anna Maria of Anhalt 29 September 1550 1602–1605 14 November 1605 Brzeg
(at 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.
Regencies of Anna Maria of Anhalt (1602–05), Elisabeth Magdalena of Brzeg and Charles II of Poděbrady (1602–09) 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.
George Rudolf 12 January 1595 1602–1653 14 January 1653 Legnica
(in Brzeg until 1612)
Sophia Elisabeth of Anhalt-Dessau
4 November 1614
Dessau
no children

Elisabeth Magdalena of Munsterberg
5 December 1624
no children
John Christian 28 August 1591 1602–1633 25 December 1639 Brzeg
(in Legnica until 1612)
Dorothea Sibylle of Brandenburg
12 December 1610
Berlin
thirteen children

Anna Hedwig Sitzsch
(morganatic)
13 September 1626
Brzeg
seven children
Regency of Charles of Austria, Bishop of Wroclaw (1617–24)
Frederick William 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
Regency of Louise of Anhalt-Dessau (1672–1675) Last male representative of the House of Piast. Died without descendants.
George William 29 September 1660 1672–1675 21 November 1675 Legnica and Brzeg Unmarried
Annexation to the Holy Roman Empire
Louise of Anhalt-Dessau 10 February 1631 1672–1680 25 April 1680 Brzeg
(at 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

Přemyslid Dukes of Silesia

Partitions of Bohemian Silesia under Přemyslid dynasty

       Below follows a simplified table of Silesia's partitions:

       Piast Ráciborz
(1282-1336)
      
Opava
(1269-1456)
(brief annexation to
Piast Legnica in 1308-11;
also in Ziębice 1443-56)
      
Ráciborz
(1378-1521)
Krnov
(1424-1493)
(brief annexation to
Hungary in 1474-90)
Glubczyce
(1433-1485)
      
Pledged to
Opole and
annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Bohemia
Annexed to
Opole

Table of rulers

Notes:
  • The numbering of the Silesian Premyslid rulers is a problematic matter between scholars, as different sources numbers and orders them differently.
Ruler Born Reign Death Ruling part Consort Notes
Nicholas I 1255 1269-1318 25 July 1318 Opava Adelaide of Habsburg
(d.1313)
1283
three children
Natural son of Premysl Ottokar II of Bohemia and Agnes of Kuenring, inherited from his father the Silesian duchy of Opava.
Nicholas II 1288 1318-1365 8 December 1365 Opava Anna of Racibórz
1318
six children

Hedwig of Olesnica
(d.1359)
May 1342
one child

Jutta of Opole
(d.aft.1378)
1360
three children
John I 1288 1365-1382 8 December 1365 Racibórz
(in Opava until 1377)
Anna of Głogów-Żagań
(d.1369)
1361
three children
Children of Nicholas II, divided the land; After Nicholas III's death, Glubczyce returned to Opava.
Nicholas III 1339 1365-1394 9 July 1394 Opava
(at Glubczyce;
in Opava until 1377)
Unmarried
Premislaus I 1288 1365-1433 8 December 1365 Opava Anna of Lutz
(d.1405)
1395
three children

Catherine of Ziebice
(d.23 May 1422)
c.1405
three children

Elena of Bosnia
1425
three cildren
Wenceslaus I 1361 1365-1381 1381 Opava Unmarried
John II of Iron c.1365 1382-1424 1424 Racibórz Helena of Lithuania
(d.c.1450)
16 January 1407
three children
Children of John I, divided the land. John kept the main Ráciborz and Krnov, and Nicholas was given Bruntál. John lost Krnov in 1388, but recovered it in 1422.
Nicholas IV c.1370 1382-1406 1406 Racibórz
(at Bruntál)
Unmarried
Wenceslaus II 1405 1424-1456 29 October 1456 Racibórz Margaret of Szamotuły
(d.5 November 1464)
1437
four children
Children of John II, divided the land.
Nicholas V 1409 1424-1452 22 December 1452 Racibórz Margaret Clemm of Ellguth
three children

Barbara Rockemberg
1451
Kraków
two children
Wenceslaus II 1397 1433-1445 1445 Glubczyce
(in Opava until 1435)
Elisabeth of Kravař
1420
two children
Children of Premislaus I, divided the land. William and Ernest inherited the duchy of Ziebice in succession, alongside Opava, where they ruled together with their half- brother Nicholas IV (and possibly also Premislaus II). In 1452, after William's death, Ernest and his brothers associated William's sons as co-rulers. Wenceslaus II, another half-brother, inherited a part of Opava centered around Glubczyce. In 1464, the duchy of Opava was sold to Bohemia.
William 1410 1433-1452 15 August 1452 Opava Salome of Častolovice
five children
1443-1452 Ziębice
Ernest 1415 1433-1456 1464 Opava Unmarried
1452-1456 Ziębice
Nicholas IV 1400 1433-1437 1437 Opava
Premislaus II the Elder c.1425 1433-1456 16 June 1478 Opava
Frederick 1440 1452-1456 1470 Opava
Wenceslaus III 1445 1474 Opava
Premislaus III the Younger 1450 17 February 1493 Opava
Pledge to Opole by debt; Debt transferred in 1464 to Bohemia: Annexation to Bohemia
John (III) 1420 1445-1454 1454 Glubczyce
(in Fulnek)
Unmarried Children of Wenceslaus II, divided the land, which was reunited shortly by John III.
John III the Pious 1425 1445-1485 1485 Glubczyce
(in Fulnek since 1454)
Catherine
(d.1485)
no children
Barbara Rockemberg c.1410? 1452-1462 November 1463 Krnov
(at Pszczyna)
Wilhelm Willandt
no children

Jerzy Orient
one child

Nicholas V
1451
Kraków
two children
Wife of Nicholas V, inherited the town of Pszczyna as widow seat, while ruling as regent in the rest of the duchy for her stepsons.
Regency of Barbara Rockemberg (1452-1462) Children of Nicholas V, divided the land. In 1474, John lost the duchy, which was then claimed by his sister.
John IV the Elder 1440 1452-1474

1464-1483
1483 Krnov

Krnov
(at Wodzisław Śląski)
Unmarried
Wenceslaus V 1442 1452-1478 1478 Krnov
(at Rybnik)
Unmarried
Annexation to Hungary (1474-1490)
Regency of Margaret of Szamotuły (1456-1464)
John V the Younger 1446 1456-1493 14 April 1493 Racibórz Magdalena of Opole
(c.1465-May 1501)
13 January 1478
Opole
four children
Barbara 1445 1490-1510 27 April 1510 Krnov John IV, Duke of Oświęcim
1475
one child
Claimed (and ruled, effectively) her family's duchy from 1490, co-ruling with her son-in-law since 1493
Annexation to Bohemia
Regency of Magdalena of Opole (1493-1499) Children of John V, ruled jointly. In 1521, after the childless brothers' death, the duchy returned to Opole.
Nicholas VI 1478 1493-1506 3 November 1506 Racibórz Unmarried
John VI 1484 1493-1506 November/December 1506 Racibórz
Valentin the Hunchback 1485 1493-1521 13 November 1521 Racibórz
Annexation to Opole

The 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

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