Henry of Niemodlin ( pl, Henryk Niemodliński; after 1345 – 14 September 1382), was a Duke of

Niemodlin Niemodlin (; german: Falkenberg O.S., Falkenberg Oberschlesien; szl, Ńymodlin) is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,315 inhabitants (2019). History The community was first mentioned as ''Nemodlin'' in a 1224 deed and r ...

since 1365 until his death (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1369). He was the third and youngest son of Bolesław the Elder, Duke of

, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of

Henry VI the Good Henry VI the Good (also known as of Wrocław) ( pl, Henryk VI Dobry or Wrocławski) (18 March 1294 – 24 November 1335) was a Duke of Wrocław from 1296 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1311). He was the second son of Henry V the Fat, Du ...

, Duke of

Wrocław Wrocław (; german: Breslau, or . ; Silesian German: ''Brassel'') is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, rou ...

Life

After his father's death by 1365 Henry and his brothers Bolesław II (d. 1368) and

Wenceslaus Wenceslaus, Wenceslas, Wenzeslaus and Wenzslaus (and other similar names) are Latinized forms of the Czech name Václav. The other language versions of the name are german: Wenzel, pl, Wacław, Więcesław, Wieńczysław, es, Wenceslao, russian ...

(d. 1369) inherited Niemodlin as co-rulers; however, Henry had to wait to the deaths of his brothers to obtain the full government over the whole Duchy. Around 1370 Henry made an arrangement with the Dukes of Opole, Bolko III and Władysław (who was approved by the

Emperor Charles IV Charles IV ( cs, Karel IV.; german: Karl IV.; la, Carolus IV; 14 May 1316 – 29 November 1378''Karl IV''. In: (1960): ''Geschichte in Gestalten'' (''History in figures''), vol. 2: ''F–K''. 38, Frankfurt 1963, p. 294), also known as Charle ...

in February and March 1372): in case of Henry's death without issue, Niemodlin was inherited by the Dukes of Opole. Henry maintained a long-lasting dispute with the Bishop of Wroclaw, Preczlaw of Pogarell, for the possession of the castle

Jánský vrch Jánský Vrch (german: Schloß Johannesberg) is a castle located in the Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. The castle stands on a hill above the town of Javorník in the north-western edge of Czech Silesia, in area w ...

, which only ended with the Bishop's death in 1376. His relations with the new bishop, Duke

Wenceslaus II of Legnica Wenceslaus II, Duke of Legnica (1348 – 30 December 1419) was a Duke of Legnica from 1364 (only nominal; from 1409 he reigned alone and personally) until 1413, Bishop of Lebus (1375–82) and Breslau ( Wroclaw) (1382–1417; also Duke of Nys ...

, were correct because he chosen to live in

Otmuchów Otmuchów (pronounced: ; german: Ottmachau) is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,581 inhabitants (2019). Etymology The city was mentioned for the first time as ''Otemochow'' in 1155. It was named in its Old Polish form ''Ot ...

. In 1373 Henry granted a charter to the town of

Głogówek Głogówek (pronounced , German: ''Oberglogau'', cs, Horní Hlohov, szl, Gogōwek) is a small historic town in southern Poland. It is situated on the Osobloga River, in Opole Voivodeship of the greater Silesian region. The city lies approximat ...

, who was greatly favored by him. In 1379 he founded there a Kolegiata, who received the revenues of two villages. By 2 February 1372 Henry married with Katharina (b. ca. February 1353 – d. by 17 February 1378), daughter of

John Henry, Margrave of Moravia John Henry of Luxembourg ( cs, Jan Jindřich, german: Johann Heinrich; 12 February 1322 – 12 November 1375),Spock Bet ...

and niece of Emperor Charles IV. The union was childless. Henry died on 14 September 1382 year and was buried in the Kolegiata of St. Bartholomäus in

Głogów Głogów (; german: Glogau, links=no, rarely , cs, Hlohov, szl, Głogōw) is a city in western Poland. It is the county seat of Głogów County, in Lower Silesian Voivodeship (since 1999), and was previously in Legnica Voivodeship (1975–199 ...

. Contrary to the agreement of 1372, after Henry's death, Niemodlin was taken by King

Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia Wenceslaus IV (also ''Wenceslas''; cs, Václav; german: Wenzel, nicknamed "the Idle"; 26 February 136116 August 1419), also known as Wenceslaus of Luxembourg, was King of Bohemia from 1378 until his death and King of Germany from 1376 until he w ...

as an emptied fief, and pretend to given them to Przemysław I Noszak, Duke of

Cieszyn Cieszyn ( , ; cs, Těšín ; german: Teschen; la, Tessin; szl, Ćeszyn) is a border town in southern Poland on the east bank of the Olza River, and the administrative seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship. The town has 33,500 inhabitan ...

, but this caused the strong opposition of the Dukes of Opole, who claimed his hereditary rights. Only one year later, in 1383, was ruled the final decision over this matter. The Duchy was divided: Władysław of Opole received

and

Prudnik Prudnik (, szl, Prudnik, Prōmnik, german: Neustadt in Oberschlesien, Neustadt an der Prudnik, la, Prudnicium) is a town in southern Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship near the border with the Czech Republic. It is the ...

, and Bolko III's sons obtain

References

*
Genealogy of the Dukes of Opole
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry of Niemodlin 1340s births 1382 deaths Piast dynasty Dukes of Prudnik