Euphemia of Greater Poland
Encyclopedia
Euphemia of Greater Poland (c. 1230 – 15 February after 1281), was a Polish
princess member of the House of Piast from the Greater Poland
branch and by marriage was Duchess of Kalisz
, Wieluń
and Opole
-Racibórz.
Euphemia was the youngest child of Władysław Odonic and his wife Hedwig, disputed daughter of Mestwin I, Duke of Pomerania and Swinisław, daughter of Mieszko III the Old
.
Euphemia's date of birth is unknown. In literature it claims Euphemia was born around 1230. It is most likely she was born between (1226–1230), fitting in with the dates of birth of her siblings and dates of death of her parents.
. Another brother Boleslaw the Pious married Helen
, daughter of Béla IV of Hungary
. Euphemia's only sister, Salome of Greater Poland
married Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
.
Euphemia married in 1251 Władysław Opolski, son of Casimir I of Opole
and Viola, Duchess of Opole
. The couple were related in the fourth degree, so they needed a papal dispenstion in order for the marriage to be considered valid. It is unknown whether the couple got a papal dispensation.
The marriage was to help bring closer ties between the two Piast branches and for political reasons to do with Euphemia's brother Przemysł.
Władysław and Euphemia had five children:
In 1258, Euphemia and her husband funded a Cistercian in Rudy
. In 1281 they gave money to Premonstratensian
s.
Euphemia died 15 February during a year after 1281, apparently in 1287. She is buried in Silesia
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
princess member of the House of Piast from the Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
branch and by marriage was Duchess of Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
, Wieluń
Wielun
Wieluń is a city in central Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship .- History :...
and Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
-Racibórz.
Euphemia was the youngest child of Władysław Odonic and his wife Hedwig, disputed daughter of Mestwin I, Duke of Pomerania and Swinisław, daughter of Mieszko III the Old
Mieszko III the Old
Mieszko III the Old , of the royal Piast dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death....
.
Euphemia's date of birth is unknown. In literature it claims Euphemia was born around 1230. It is most likely she was born between (1226–1230), fitting in with the dates of birth of her siblings and dates of death of her parents.
Marriage
Euphemia and her siblings married well. Her brother Przemysł I of Greater Poland married Elisabeth, daughter of Henry II the PiousHenry II the Pious
Henry II the Pious , of the Silesian line of the Piast dynasty was Duke of Silesia at Wrocław and Duke of Kraków and thus High Duke of all Poland as well as Duke of Southern Greater Poland from 1238 until his death. During 1238–1239 he also served as a regent of two other Piast duchies: Sandomierz...
. Another brother Boleslaw the Pious married Helen
Jolenta of Poland
Jolenta of Poland was the daughter of Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina. She was the sister of Saint Margaret of Hungary and Saint Kinga...
, daughter of Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV , King of Hungary and of Croatia , duke of Styria 1254–58. One of the most famous kings of Hungary, he distinguished himself through his policy of strengthening of the royal power following the example of his grandfather Bela III, and by the rebuilding Hungary after the catastrophe of the...
. Euphemia's only sister, Salome of Greater Poland
Salome of Greater Poland
Salome of Greater Poland also known as Odonicza , was a Polish princess member of the Piast dynasty from the Greater Poland branch and by marriage Duchess of Glogów....
married Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Konrad I of Głogów was Duke of Głogów from 1251 until his death.He was the fourth son of Henry II the Pious, Duke of Wroclaw, by his wife Anna, daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia.-Life:...
.
Euphemia married in 1251 Władysław Opolski, son of Casimir I of Opole
Casimir I of Opole
Casimir I of Opole was a Duke of Opole-Racibórz from 1211 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Mieszko I Tanglefoot, Duke of Opole-Racibórz and High Duke of Poland, and his wife Ludmilla, probably a Přemyslid princess.-Early life:Little is known about his early years of life,...
and Viola, Duchess of Opole
Viola, Duchess of Opole
Viola, Duchess of Opole also known as Wencisława , was a Duchess of Opole-Racibórz by virtue of her marriage with Duke Casimir I.-Origins:...
. The couple were related in the fourth degree, so they needed a papal dispenstion in order for the marriage to be considered valid. It is unknown whether the couple got a papal dispensation.
The marriage was to help bring closer ties between the two Piast branches and for political reasons to do with Euphemia's brother Przemysł.
Władysław and Euphemia had five children:
- Mieszko I (b. 1252/56 - d. by 27 June 1315).
- CasimirCasimir of BytomCasimir of Bytom was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death....
(b. 1253/57 - d. 10 March 1312). - Bolko IBolko I of OpoleBolko I of Opole , was a Duke of Opole from 1282 , Niemodlin and Strzelce Opolskie until his death.He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.-Life:Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of...
(b. bef. 21 October 1258 - d. 14 May 1313). - Constance (b. 1256/65 - d. by 1351), married by 1280 to Henry IV Probus, Duke of WroclawWroclawWrocław , situated on the River Oder , is the main city of southwestern Poland.Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia and is today the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of either Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, but since 1945...
; they were divorced in 1286. - PrzemysławPrzemysław of RacibórzPrzemysław of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1282 until his death ....
(b. ca. 12 June 1268 - d. 7 May 1306).
In 1258, Euphemia and her husband funded a Cistercian in Rudy
Rudy, Silesian Voivodeship
Rudy , also known as Rudy Wielkie or Rudy Raciborskie, is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kuźnia Raciborska, within Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately east of Kuźnia Raciborska, north-east of Racibórz, and west of the regional...
. In 1281 they gave money to Premonstratensian
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
s.
Euphemia died 15 February during a year after 1281, apparently in 1287. She is buried in Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...