Henry V of Iron
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Henry V (III) of Iron ( pl, Henryk V Żelazny; – after 8 April 1369), was a Duke of
Żagań Żagań ( French and german: Sagan, hsb, Zahań, la, Saganum) is a town in western Poland, on the Bóbr river, with 25,731 inhabitants (2019). The town is the capital of Żagań County in the historic region of Silesia. Previously in the Zielon ...
since 1342, from 1349 Duke of half-
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 (1975–1998) ...
, and from 1363 Duke of half-
Ścinawa Ścinawa (german: Steinau an der Oder, links=no) is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations su ...
. He was the only son of Henry IV (II) the Faithful, Duke of Żagań, by his wife Matilda, daughter of
Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel Herman, Margrave of Brandenburg, also known as ''Herman the Tall'' ( – 1 February 1308), a member of the House of Ascania, was Margrave and co-ruler of Brandenburg with his cousin Margrave Otto IV of Brandenburg-Stendal. Life Herman was ...
.


Life

The young Henry V gained his political experience at the side of his father, taking part in negotiations with his Jan of Ścinawa in 1341, who give
Wschowa Wschowa (pronounced , german: Fraustadt) is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in western Poland with 13,875 inhabitants (2019). It is the capital of Wschowa County and a significant tourist site containing many important historical monuments. His ...
to them. A year later, the death of his father made Henry V the new ruler of Żagań. He was nicknamed "of Iron" (''Żelazny'') for the consistency and ruthlessness of his acts. Immediately after he took control over the government, Henry V oriented his politics towards recovery lands that were lost during his late father's rule. In 1343 Henry V refused to pay tribute to Bohemia and tried to recover
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 (1975–1998) ...
, which was occupied by King
John of Bohemia John the Blind or John of Luxembourg ( lb, Jang de Blannen; german: link=no, Johann der Blinde; cz, Jan Lucemburský; 10 August 1296 – 26 August 1346), was the Count of Luxembourg from 1313 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of ...
after the death of his uncle Przemko II in 1331. At the same time, King
Casimir III the Great Casimir III the Great ( pl, Kazimierz III Wielki; 30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370) reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He also later became King of Ruthenia in 1340, and fought to retain the title in the Galicia-Volhynia Wars. He w ...
of
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
used the confusion that reigned in Silesia to take Wschowa. In the subsequent conflict, supported by his uncles
Konrad I of Oleśnica Konrad I of Oleśnica ( – 22 December 1366) was a Duke of Żagań and Ścinawa during 1309–1312 (with his brothers as co-rulers), Duke of Oleśnica, Namysłów, Gniezno and Kalisz during 1312–1313 (with his brother as co-ruler), Duke of Kali ...
and Jan of Ścinawa, Henry V forced the retreat of the Polish troops under the walls of Ścinawa. However, thanks to the losses among Konrad I's army, the Polish King was able to retain the last Greater Poland lands which had been in the hands of Henry III's descendants. Although his defeat wasn't too serious, Henry V sent a message to Casimir III the Great, asking for peace. The Polish troops left Żagań, and a meeting between the King and Henry V took place. Casimir III treated him with honors and left him all the lands who he had occupied during the conflict, except Wschowa. The conflict with the Polish King prevented Henry V from developing a strong resistance against King John of Bohemia. An agreement was finally made on 7 June 1344, under which King John gave Henry V half of the Duchy of Głogów (however, he only could take formal possession of the land in 1349); in exchange, the Duke of Żagań was forced to declare himself a vassal of Bohemia and paid tribute to King John. The ceremony took place on 23 November of that year in
Prague Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate ...
. The events of 1344 involved Henry V in the Bohemian politics, and a year later, when war broke out between
Silesia Silesia (, also , ) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at around 8,000,000. Silesia is split ...
and Bohemia, the Duke of Żagań supported his sovereign with troops while he tried to recover Wschowa. As a vassal of Bohemia, Henry V also participated in many ceremonies and diplomatic activities on behalf of King John and later his son and successor, Charles IV, for example in Charles's coronation on 1 September 1347 in Prague, two years later when he joined to the King's suite in a trip to
Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label=Provençal dialect, Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse Departments of France, department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region of So ...
and
Aachen Aachen ( ; ; Aachen dialect: ''Oche'' ; French and traditional English: Aix-la-Chapelle; or ''Aquisgranum''; nl, Aken ; Polish: Akwizgran) is, with around 249,000 inhabitants, the 13th-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the 28th- ...
, and finally in 1355 when he travel to
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
and witnessed the King's imperial coronation in
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
. The Duke of Żagań's faithful service was rewarded in 1351, when, after the death of
Bolesław III of Płock Bolesław III of Płock (pl: ''Bolesław III płocki''; 1322/30 – 20 August 1351), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast, Duke of Płock since 1336 (under regency until 1340), ruler over Wizna and Sochaczew since 1345, formally a vassa ...
(Henry V's brother-in-law) without issue (and according to the 1329 treaty signed between King John of Bohemia and Duke
Wenceslaus of Płock Wenceslaus (Wańko) of Płock ( pl, Wacław Płocki, Masovian dialect: ''Wańko Puocky''; 1293/97 – 23 May 1336), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast, Duke of Płock from 1313 and vassal of Bohemia from 1329. He was the third son ...
), the Emperor granted him title to this Duchy. However, the quick actions of King Casimir III the Great, who immediately after Bolesław III's death took control over Płock, prevented Henry V from obtaining this land. In 1356, together with
Nicholas the Small Nicholas the Small (Mikołaj Mały) (1322/1327 – 23 April 1358) was a Duke of Ziębice from 1341 until his death. He was the only son of Duke Bolko II of Ziębice and his wife Guta. He was born between 1322 and 1327. He had a sister, Małgorza ...
, Duke of
Ziębice Ziębice (german: Münsterberg) is a town in Ząbkowice Śląskie County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town lies on the Oława River, approximately east of Ząbkowice Śląskie and south of the regional capital ...
, Henry V was involved in a diplomatic mission to
Constantinople la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه , alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya (Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis (" ...
, where he took part in the pilgrimage to
Palestine __NOTOC__ Palestine may refer to: * State of Palestine, a state in Western Asia * Palestine (region), a geographic region in Western Asia * Palestinian territories, territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely the West Bank (including East ...
. Upon his return Henry V extend his possessions. He purchased (mostly from Jan of Ścinawa) the towns of
Nowogród Bobrzański Nowogród Bobrzański (german: Naumburg am Bober) is a town on the Bóbr river in Zielona Góra County, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,165 inhabitants (2019). It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański. The gmina was c ...
,
Ryczeń Ryczeń is a village (former town) in the administrative district of Gmina Góra, within Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany. It lies approximately south-west of Góra, and north-w ...
, half of Ścinawa, and the area between the Odra River and Barycz called Międzyrzecze. Another success was the purchase of the half of
Góra Góra (german: Guhrau) is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in western Poland. It is the administrative seat both of Góra County and of the smaller district (gmina) called Gmina Góra. Geography The town is located within the historic Low ...
after Jan's death in 1365. Shortly after, Henry V paid the sum of 600 fine silver to his only surviving uncle, Konrad I of Oleśnica, for his rights over that land. In 1360 the relations between Henry V and Emperor Charles IV began to deteriorate. One of the reasons was that the Emperor, who decided to restitute to Przemko II's widow the other half of Głogów as her long-time waited
dower Dower is a provision accorded traditionally by a husband or his family, to a wife for her support should she become widowed. It was settled on the bride (being gifted into trust) by agreement at the time of the wedding, or as provided by law. ...
land, but giving the promise of inheritance over
Bolko II the Small Bolko II the Small (c. 1312 – 28 July 1368), was the last independent Duke of the Piast dynasty in Silesia. He was Duke of Świdnica from 1326, Duke of Jawor and Lwówek from 1346, Duke of Lusatia from 1364, Duke over half of Brzeg and Oława ...
, Duke of
Świdnica Świdnica (; german: Schweidnitz; cs, Svídnice; szl, Świdńica) is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. As of 2019, it has a population of 57,014 inhabitants. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh larges ...
. With this action, Henry V lost all his hopes of restoring the unity of Głogów. Soon, he began to visit
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
and made an alliance with the King Casimir III the Great. In order to strengthen this bond, a political marriage was arranged between the Henry V's daughter Hedwig and King Casimir III. With this union, the Polish King increased his influence over
Silesia Silesia (, also , ) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at around 8,000,000. Silesia is split ...
, and the Duke of Żagań gained an ally and protector. The wedding took place on 25 February 1363 in Wschowa and was performed by the
Bishop of Poznań A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
, Jan V of Lutogniewo. Henry V was regarded as a good host, although he was famous for his excessive severity with his subjects. He didn't differentiate between the Church or the aristocracy when he had to distribute justice. Particularly embarrassing were his continuous disputes with the
Augustinian Augustinian may refer to: *Augustinians, members of religious orders following the Rule of St Augustine *Augustinianism, the teachings of Augustine of Hippo and his intellectual heirs *Someone who follows Augustine of Hippo * Canons Regular of Sain ...
Order of Żagań. His rule proved too harsh in that he had to face the fury of his own vassals, who even kidnapped him, but shortly afterwards released him in the basement of St. Jakob's Church in Głogów. In 1367 as a result of an inflammation in his eyes, Henry V became blind. He died of pneumonia two years later and was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań.


Marriage and issue

By 6 September 1337, Henry V married with Anna (b. 1324 – d. 16 February 1363), daughter of Duke
Wenceslaus of Płock Wenceslaus (Wańko) of Płock ( pl, Wacław Płocki, Masovian dialect: ''Wańko Puocky''; 1293/97 – 23 May 1336), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast, Duke of Płock from 1313 and vassal of Bohemia from 1329. He was the third son ...
. They had five children: #
Henry VI the Older Henry VI (IV) the Elder ( pl, Henryk VI (IV) Starszy) (bef. 1345 – 5 December 1393) was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów since 1368 (with his brothers as co-rulers until 1378). He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań-Głogów, by hi ...
(b. bef. 1345 – d. 5 December 1393). #Anna (b. bef. 1350 – d. aft. 14 July 1405), married by 20 January 1361 to Duke John I of Opava-Ratibor. #
Hedwig Hedwig may refer to: People and fictional characters * Hedwig (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Grzegorz Hedwig (born 1988), Polish slalom canoeist * Johann Hedwig, (1730–1799), German botanist * Romanus Adol ...
(b. aft. 1350? – d. 27 March 1390), married firstly on 25 February 1363 to King
Casimir III the Great Casimir III the Great ( pl, Kazimierz III Wielki; 30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370) reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He also later became King of Ruthenia in 1340, and fought to retain the title in the Galicia-Volhynia Wars. He w ...
of
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
and secondly by 10 February 1372 to Duke
Rupert I of Legnica Rupert I of Legnica ( pl, Ruprecht I Legnicki) (27 March 1347 – by 12 January 1409) was a Duke of Legnica from 1364 until his death, and also regent over half of the Duchy of Głogów-Żagań during 1397–1401. He was the eldest son of Wen ...
. # Henry VII Rumpold (b. ca. 1350 – d. 24 December 1395). #
Henry VIII the Sparrow Henry VIII (VI) the Sparrow ( pl, Henryk VIII Wróbel) ( – 14 March 1397) was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378 (as a co-ruler with his brothers), from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Kożuchów, Przemków and Sulechów, ...
(b. ca. 1357 – d. 14 March 1397).


References

* *
Genealogical database by Herbert Stoyan
*''This article was translated from an original in the Polish Wikipedia.''


Further reading

Solicki S.: Między Czechami a Polską (Z dziejów księcia głogowsko-żagańskiego Henryka V Żelaznego). " Śląski Kwartalnik Historyczny Sobótka" 24. 1969. No. 2, pp. 185–199. , - , -


Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry 05 of Iron 1319 births 1369 deaths Polish Roman Catholics Dukes of Żagań Year of birth uncertain Year of death unknown