Enrico V of Silesia – Wikipedia

Enrico V of Silesia , also known as Enrico V of Legnica O Enrico V The Grasso , in Polish Henry V Brzuccaraty (About 1248 – 22 February 1296), was Duke of Jawor (Jauer) from 1273, of Legnica (Liegnitz) from 1278 and Duke of Breslavia since 1290.

He was the eldest son of Boleslao the bald ( Bolesław II Rogatka ), Duke of Legnica, had from the first wife, Edvige, daughter of Enrico I, count of Anhat.

First years. Duke of Jawor. Battle of Stolec [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

As a young man he was present at the court of the nineteenth -century king II of Bohemia in Prague, where he became a knight.

In 1273, his father Boleslao II gave him the city of Jawor (Jauer) as an independent duchy. Four years later the father kidnapped his nephew Enrico IV the Probo, sovereign of the Duchy of Breslavia, who acted on behalf of his ally, King Rodolfo of Habsburg. This act aroused the anger of the nobility in the small Poland and in the neighbors of Henry IV, who organized an expedition to free him and punish Boleslao. The lands of the great Poland, of Głogów and Breslavia were guided by the Dukes Przemysł II of the great Poland and Henry III of Głogów. The armies fought in Ząbkowice śląskie near Stolec, one of the bloodiest battles of the Polish Middle Ages. The forces of the coalition defeated Boleslao’s forces, and he fled but later the young Enrico led a charge, reversing the fate and obtaining a great victory. Both dukes Przemysł II and Henry III, of the coalition, were taken prisoner. Jawor’s young Duke Enrico saved his family with the disastrous defeat.

The death of Boleslao II the bald. Enrico V, Duke of Legnica [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

Enrico succeeded his father Boleslao II as Duca in Legnica on December 26, 1278. Shortly after, Enrico appointed his minor brothers Bolko I and Bernardo Co-government of Jawor and Lwówek. Enrico maintained the city of środa śląska, which Enrico had received in 1277 in exchange for the freedom of Henry IV.

Enrico maintained the hostile relationships that had characterized his father’s domain with the other Dukes of Silesia. In 1281 he accepted the invitation of Enrico IV the Probo to a meeting in Sądowel. Henry IV imprisoned the Duke of Legnica with his former Allies Henry III of Głogów and Przemysł II of great Poland, asking them for political concessions. Enrico regained freedom, but he had to recognize Henry IV as Duke of Breslavia. However, Henry IV could not keep his sovereignty. Bohemian King Venceslao II affirmed his right on Breslavia.

Enrico V, Duke of Breslavia. War with Henry III of Głogów [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

On June 23, 1290 Henry IV suddenly died, perhaps poisoned. Henry IV appointed Handric III of Głogów his heir. The nobility and inhabitants of Breslavia opposed the appointment, fearing that the Duke of Głogów would be a hard housekeeper. Henry III fled and the citizens of Breslavia invited Enrico V to govern.

Henry III, however, refused to take aside. A war followed and the territories involved changed from hand several times. On November 11, 1293, Enrico was betrayed by Lutka Zdzieszyca, son of a nobleman from Breslavia that Enrico had previously sentenced to death. Lutka captured Enrico and handed him over to Duke Henry III, who put him in prison for almost six months. Enrico V obtained freedom after delivery the cities of Namysłów, Bierutów, Oleśnica, Kluczbork, Byczyna, Wołczyn, Olesno, Chojnów and BolesłaWiec and the respective fortresses to Henry III, paying a redemption and promising to help the Duke of Głogów in all the his conflicts for the next five years.

During his captivity in Głogów, Enrico’s brother, Bolko I, was appointed regent of his lands. In 1291, Enrico V gave Bolko the cities of świdnica (Schweidnitz), Zero, Ząbkowice śląskie and Strzelin in exchange for his help against Henry III.

Death and inheritance [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

Enrico was locked up in an iron cage during his captivity and fell ill after his liberation. He never regained his health. Fearing for the future of his duchy, he sought the protection of the Holy See in 1294.

Enrico died on February 22, 1296 and was buried in the Clarisse monastery in Breslavia. His children were minors and Enrico’s brother, Bolko, became their guardian.

Around 1273, Enrico married Elisabetta (around 1263 – 28 September 1304), daughter of Boleslao Il Pio, Duke of great Poland. They had eight children:

• Edvige (about 1277 – after February 3, 1347); Married since 1289/95 to Prince Ottone of Brandenburg-Salzwedel, second son of the Margravio Otto V. After the death of her husband, became a nun in St. Klara, in Breslavia.
• Euphemia (about 1278 – June 1347); married in 1300 brass III of Carinthia.
• Anna (1284 – 2/3 October 1343); Badessa di S. Klara, Breslavia.
• Elisabetta (about 1290 – November 1357/58); Badessa di S. Klara, Breslavia.
• Boleslao III the generous (23 September 1291 – April 21, 1352).
• Helena (about 1293 – after 1300); Sunra in St. Klara, Gniezno.
• Enrico VI Il Buono (18 March 1294 – 24 November 1335).
• Ladislao (born posthumous, 6 June 1296 – 13 January after 1352).