Frederick IV of Legnica
Encyclopedia
Frederick IV of Liegnitz (20 April 1552 – 27 March 1596) was Duke of Liegnitz (Legnica
) since 1571 until his death (as a co-ruler of his elder brother during 1571–1576 and 1580–1581).
He was the third but second surviving son of Frederick III, Duke of Liegnitz, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was named after his brother Frederick, who died in 1551, one year before his birth.
).
The situation changed in the following year, when the insubordination of Henry XI (who even refused to pay homage) led to the intervention of the imperial troops. Despite his victory, Henry XI had to obtain forgiveness and decided to appear in Prague, but Rudolf II decided to deprive him of the government. Legnica was given again to Frederick IV as a sole ruler, but was required (like the first time) to ensure all the needs of the family of Henry XI (who remained as an Imperial prisoner), paying them the sum of 30 talers for week.
. They had one daughter:
On 23 November 1589, Frederick IV married secondly with Dorothea (b. Kolding, 16 October 1569 - d. Legnica, 5 July 1593), daughter of John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. They had two children:
On 24 October 1594, Frederick IV married thirdly with Anna
(b. Stuttgart, 12 June 1561 - d. Haynau, 7 July 1616), daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg
and widow of Duke John George of Ohlau. They had no children.
After his death without surviving male issue, Frederick IV was succeeded by his cousin Joachim Frederick, eldest son of George II the Pious.
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
) since 1571 until his death (as a co-ruler of his elder brother during 1571–1576 and 1580–1581).
He was the third but second surviving son of Frederick III, Duke of Liegnitz, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was named after his brother Frederick, who died in 1551, one year before his birth.
Life
In December 1571 he was named co-ruler of the Duchy of Liegnitz, under the tutelage of his brother Henry XI. Frederick IV decided to use the commitment to Henry XI in the religious war in France to be released from the guardianship of his brother. He went to the Emperor Maximilian II, asking a review of his divisionary treaty. Special Commissioners under imperial decree on 13 March 1576 that Frederick IV was the sole ruler of Liegnitz and one month later, on 17 April, he formally took possession of the government. Frederick IV was obliged to provide Henry XI's family, who remained in Silesia, to all their needs and, included cash and food. At the same time the date of the formal division of Liegnitz was set on 29 September 1577. However, this didn't happen, because Emperor Maximilian II died on 12 October 1576, and the new Emperor, Rudolf II, tried to re-examine the case. On 5 October 1580 the Emperor issued a favorable sentence against the elder brother, canceling the 17 April 1576 Decree. The brothers were named again co-rulers of the Duchy. Henry XI made his official residence in Liegnitz, and Frederick IV was forced to retired to Haynau (ChojnówChojnów
Chojnów is a small town in Legnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is located on the Skora river, a tributary of the Kaczawa at an average altitude of above sea level. Chojnów is the administrative seat of the rural gmina called Gmina Chojnów, although the town is...
).
The situation changed in the following year, when the insubordination of Henry XI (who even refused to pay homage) led to the intervention of the imperial troops. Despite his victory, Henry XI had to obtain forgiveness and decided to appear in Prague, but Rudolf II decided to deprive him of the government. Legnica was given again to Frederick IV as a sole ruler, but was required (like the first time) to ensure all the needs of the family of Henry XI (who remained as an Imperial prisoner), paying them the sum of 30 talers for week.
Marriages and Issue
On 20 January 1587, Frederick IV married firstly with Maria Sidonia (b. 10 May 1572 - d. 3 October 1587), daughter of Wenceslaus III Adam, Duke of CieszynWenceslaus III Adam, Duke of Cieszyn
Wenceslaus III Adam of Cieszyn was a Duke of Cieszyn since 1528 until his death.He was the second but only surviving son of Wenceslaus II, co-Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Anna, daughter of Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach...
. They had one daughter:
- Maria Katharina (b. 17 September 1587 - d. 20 September 1587).
On 23 November 1589, Frederick IV married secondly with Dorothea (b. Kolding, 16 October 1569 - d. Legnica, 5 July 1593), daughter of John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. They had two children:
- A son (b. and d. 25 May 1592).
- A son (b. and d. 25 June 1593).
On 24 October 1594, Frederick IV married thirdly with Anna
Anna of Württemberg
Anna of Württemberg , was a German princes member of the House of Württemberg and by her two marriages Duchess of Oława-Wołów and Legnica.She was the daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg, by his wife Anna Maria, daughter of George, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.-Life:In Brzeg on 16...
(b. Stuttgart, 12 June 1561 - d. Haynau, 7 July 1616), daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg
Christoph, Duke of Württemberg
Christoph of Württemberg, Duke of Württemberg ruled as Duke of Württemberg from 1550 until his death in 1568....
and widow of Duke John George of Ohlau. They had no children.
After his death without surviving male issue, Frederick IV was succeeded by his cousin Joachim Frederick, eldest son of George II the Pious.