Henry IX the Older
Encyclopedia
Henry IX the Older was a Duke of Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...

-Głogów during 1397–1412 (as co-ruler of his brother), during 1412–17 ruler over Szprotawa
Szprotawa
Szprotawa is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Żagań County. It has 12,648 inhabitants .- History :The first information about the terrains of today's Szprotawa comes at 1000 from the chronicle of bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who accompanied the emperor Otto III on pilgrimage to the...

, Krosno Odrzańskie
Krosno Odrzanskie
Krosno Odrzańskie is a city on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. The town in Western Poland with 12,500 inhabitants is the capital of Krosno County...

, Świebodzin
Swiebodzin
Świebodzin is a town in western Poland with 21,757 inhabitants . It is the capital of Świebodzin CountyIt was formerly part of the Zielona Góra Voivodeship , a reconfiguration of the old German state of Prussia, the eastern 40% of which was inherited by Poland in 1945, and led to the expulsion of...

 and half of Głogów (with his brothers as co-rulers), since 1417 ruler over Szprotawa, half of Głogów, since 1420 ruler over Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...

 and Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....

, from 1430 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin and since 1446 Duke of Lubin
Lubin
Lubin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. From 1975–1998 it belonged to the former Legnica Voivodeship. Lubin is the administrative seat of Lubin County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Lubin, although it is not part of the territory of the latter,...

.

He was the second son of Henry VIII the Sparrow
Henry VIII the Sparrow
Henry VIII the Sparrow was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378 , from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Kożuchów, Przemków and Sulechów, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański.He was the second son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań–Głogów, by...

, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke Władysław of Opole.

Life

After his father's death in 1397, the Dowager Duchess Katharina moved with their children to Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...

, who, together with Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....

, was her Oprawa wdowia. Between 1397-1401 the official custody of the princes and the regency of the Duchy was held by Duke Rupert I of Legnica
Rupert I of Legnica
Rupert I of Legnica was a Duke of Legnica since 1364 until his death, and also regent over half of the Duchy of Głogów-Żagań during 1397–1401....

. This was a difficult task, since Henry VIII leave his lands in a difficult financial situation. Rupert I gradually began the payment of Henry VIII's creditors and improved the general situation of the Duchy. The Regent showed special assistance to the main cities of the Duchy: Głogów, Krosno Odrzańskie and Szprotawa.

After his older brother Jan I
Jan I of Zagan
Jan I of Żagań was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów, since 1397 , since 1403 Duke of Żagań, Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin and since 1412 sole ruler of Żagań and Przewóz.He was the eldest son of Henry VIII the Sparrow, Duke of Głogów by his wife Katharina, daughter of Duke...

 attained his majority in 1401, he assumed the guardianship of his younger brothers and assumed the full government of the Duchy. In 1403 the brothers received the lands of their uncle Henry VI the Older
Henry VI the Older
Henry VI the Older was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów since 1368 .He was the oldest son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań-Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock....

 after the resignation of his widow Hedwig of Legnica, who ruled them as her Oprawa wdowia since 1393. In 1412 was made the formal division of the Duchy: Henry IX, together with his brothers Henry X Rumpold
Henry X Rumpold
Henry X Rumpold also known as the Younger , was a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 and since 1412 ruler over Głogów ....

 and Wenceslaus
Wenceslaus of Krosno
Wenceslaus of Krosno , a Duke of Żagań-Głogów during 1397-1412 , during 1412-17 ruler over Głogów , since 1417 ruler over Krosno Odrzańskie, Świebodzin and Bytnica....

 obtained the Duchy of Głogów (who included half of Głogów, Świebodzin
Swiebodzin
Świebodzin is a town in western Poland with 21,757 inhabitants . It is the capital of Świebodzin CountyIt was formerly part of the Zielona Góra Voivodeship , a reconfiguration of the old German state of Prussia, the eastern 40% of which was inherited by Poland in 1945, and led to the expulsion of...

, Krosno Odrzańskie
Krosno Odrzanskie
Krosno Odrzańskie is a city on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. The town in Western Poland with 12,500 inhabitants is the capital of Krosno County...

 and Szprotawa
Szprotawa
Szprotawa is a town in Poland, in Lubusz Voivodeship, in Żagań County. It has 12,648 inhabitants .- History :The first information about the terrains of today's Szprotawa comes at 1000 from the chronicle of bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who accompanied the emperor Otto III on pilgrimage to the...

).

By 1417 was made a new divisionary treaty, this time in the Duchy of Głogów: Henry IX and Henry X Rumpold retained Głogów and Szprotawa, but give to their younger brother Wenceslaus the towns of Świebodzin, Krosno Odrzańskie and Bytnica
Bytnica
Bytnica is a village in Krosno Odrzańskie County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Bytnica...

 (those areas returned to him in 1431 after Wenceslaus's death). Henry IX and Henry X Rumpold ruled jointly, but the tasks of government remained in the hands of Henry IX. Henry X Rumpold remains at the service of the Kings of Bohemia and Hungary and the Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...

, under whose orders he fought against the Hussites and made diplomatic missions to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...

, were he died in 1423 shortly before his wedding with a relative of King Eric
Eric of Pomerania
Eric of Pomerania KG was King Eric III of Norway Norwegian Eirik, King Eric VII of Denmark , and as Eric King of Sweden...

. Since the death of his brother, Henry IX ruled the Duchy alone. Previously, he received the towns of Kożuchów and Zielona Góra after the death of his mother in 1420; however, this inheritance wasn't count with the approval of his older brother Jan I and led to short-term war between the sons of Henry VIII. The conflict ended successfully by Henry IX, who could retain the towns (the dispute ultimately was decided by the Elector Rudolf III of Saxony, leaving the two princes with his lands intact).

According to the contemporary chronicles Henry IX was a mild man, of a peaceful mindsets. In his youth he suggested as Bishop of Wroclaw, bu he did not accept. During his government were developed the turbulent Hussite Wars
Hussite Wars
The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars involved the military actions against and amongst the followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia in the period 1419 to circa 1434. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early hand-held gunpowder weapons such as hand cannons...

, which included the Duchy of Silesia; however, he managed to maintain the peace over Głogów.

In 1416 Henry IX was a mediator in a dispute between the sons of Przemyslaus I Noszak, Duke of Cieszyn. In 1420 took place in Wroclaw
Wroclaw
Wrocław , 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...

 the great congress of Silesian princes, were Henry IX was also present. The princes paid tribute to Emperor Sigismund. In 1423 Henry IX, together with his brother Jan I, and other Silesian princes took part in the meeting of Preszburg (now Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...

), where he discussed with the Teutonic Order and the Lusatia
Lusatia
Lusatia is a historical region in Central Europe. It stretches from the Bóbr and Kwisa rivers in the east to the Elbe valley in the west, today located within the German states of Saxony and Brandenburg as well as in the Lower Silesian and Lubusz voivodeships of western Poland...

 cities the further partition of Poland. There was made a special emphasis to waived the politics of King Władysław II Jogaila
Jogaila
Jogaila, later 'He is known under a number of names: ; ; . See also: Jogaila : names and titles. was Grand Duke of Lithuania , king consort of Kingdom of Poland , and sole King of Poland . He ruled in Lithuania from 1377, at first with his uncle Kęstutis...

 of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

, who promoted the Hussites insurgents.

The cooperation with the House of Luxembourg
House of Luxembourg
The House of Luxembourg was a late medieval German dynasty, which between 1308 and 1437 ruled the Holy Roman Empire, twice interrupted by the rivaling House of Wittelsbach.-History:...

 allowed Henry IX to obtain parts of the inheritance of his maternal grandfather Władysław of 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...

; however, the volatility of economic and the subordination of Dukes Bernard of Niedmolin (Falkenberg)
Bernard of Niemodlin
Bernard of Niemodlin , was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin during 1382-1400 , Duke of Opole during 1396-1400 , from 1400 until 1450 sole ruler over Strzelce and Niemodlin, from 1401 ruler over Olesno and Lubliniec, from 1420 ruler over Prudnik and in 1424 ruler over Głogówek, during 1434-1450...

 and Bolko IV of Opole
Bolko IV of Opole
Bolko IV of Opole , was a Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin during 1382–1400 , Duke of Opole from 1396 ....

 ultimately convinced the Emperor on 16 September 1435 to confirm the favorable ruling to the Dukes of Opole after an arbitration made in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...

 on 2 July 1417, who obliged Henry IX to return to the Dukes of Opole the lands taken by him.

In the first months of 1425 began to organize the Hussite retaliatory expedition to Silesia. The reaction of the Silesian rulers was different: some of them passed by on the Hussites (like Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite
Bolko V the Hussite was a Duke of Opole between 1422–1424 , ruler over Głogówek and Prudnik since 1424, Duke of Strzelce and Niemodlin from 1450 and ruler over Olesno since 1455....

), while others fight against them, like Henry IX. The of the Hussite troops to the Duchy Głogów caused great destruction. Henry IX seek the assistance of the Polish King Wladyslaw II Jogaila. In return for the King's protection against the Hussites, he promised named him his heir, but these efforts have produced no major results. In 1431, during the subsequent Hussite invasion, Henry IX was able to repelled them. In 1433, together with troops from Poland and the Teutonic Order, he took part in the war against the Hussites.

During the next war against Bohemia during 1438-1439 Henryk IX supported Albert V of Habsburg
Albert II of Germany
Albert the Magnanimous KG was King of Hungary from 1438 until his death. He was also King of Bohemia, elected King of Germany as Albert II, duke of Luxembourg and, as Albert V, archduke of Austria from 1404.-Biography:Albert was born in Vienna as the son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria, and Johanna...

, and on 3 December 1438 he paid homage to him. At the beginning of the following year he managed to repelled the Greater Poland troops at the crossings of the Odra River despite his much smaller forces.

The reputation of Henry IX in Silesia was an enormous; for example, in September 1444 the Duke was a mediator in the conflict between the Dukes of Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...

. Two years later, in 1446, he could take control over Lubin
Lubin
Lubin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. From 1975–1998 it belonged to the former Legnica Voivodeship. Lubin is the administrative seat of Lubin County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Lubin, although it is not part of the territory of the latter,...

, when his rulers, the Dukes Jan I and Henry X
Henryk X of Chojnów
Henry X of Haynau , was Duke of Lüben , during 1441-1446 with his brother, as co-rulers), Haynau , Brieg and Goldberg ....

 pledged this land to him.

On 19 April 1458 Henry IX acceded to preside the association of Silesian princes and cities against George of Poděbrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...

 the new King of Bohemia. However, after the general recognition of the new Bohemian ruler the next year, he finally paid homage to him in Świdnica
Swidnica
Świdnica is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship...

. This step was followed by the formal investidure to King George of the Duchy of 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...

 on 26 October 1463. However, in view of the strong resistance of both Dukes Henry IX and Nicholas I
Nicholas I of Opole
Nicholas I of Opole was a Duke of Opole since 1437 , Duke of Brzeg from 1450, ruler over Kluczbork since 1451 and Duke of Strzelce, Niemodlin and Olesno from 1460....

, the King finally decided to made a compromise on 29 April 1464, under which he waived all his claims over Opole in return for 14,000 pieces of gold.

During his reign, Głogów was the witness of important events: on 17 May 1462 took place in the city the meeting between King Casimir IV of Poland and King George of Bohemia. They accorded there that, after George's death, the Bohemian throne could passed to Casimir IV's son. During this important meeting was also discussed the disputes between Poland and the Duchy of Głogów. Any dispute between them was resolved after further congress in Babimost
Babimost
Babimost is a small town in Poland in the Lubusz Voivodeship, Zielona Gora County.Area: 3,6 km², Population: 4,300 , City rights: 1397...

 and Gościkowo
Goscikowo
Gościkowo , formerly Paradyż , is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Świebodzin, within Świebodzin County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland...

 (Paradyż).

Despite the fruitful cooperation with the Bohemian King, on 23 December Henry IX was excommunicated by the Pope for accepted the nomination of the Polish prince as heir of Bohemia.

At the end of his reign, Henry IX concentrated all his energy in his war against his nephew Jan II the Mad
Jan II the Mad
Jan II the Mad also known as the Bad, the Wild or the Cruel , was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Przewóz , during 1461-1468 and briefly in 1472 Duke of Żagań and during 1476-1488 Duke of half-Głogów .He was the fourth and...

, in order to restore the Duchy of Żagań to his eldest nephew and Jan II's brother, Balthasar
Balthasar of Zagan
Balthasar of Żagań , was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Żagań. Deposed during 1461-1468, he recovered the Duchy in this year until shortly before his death....

.

In the present, were little information of the government activities of Henry IX. However, in Głogów was founded new laws, judicial orders, etc. created by him. During this time, the financial problems continued.

Henryk died on 11 November 1467 in Krosno Odrzańskie
Krosno Odrzanskie
Krosno Odrzańskie is a city on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. The town in Western Poland with 12,500 inhabitants is the capital of Krosno County...

 and was buried in the chapel of the missionaries of Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...

.

Marriage and issue

By 1430, Henry IX married with Hedwig (d. by 25 June 1454), daughter of Konrad III the Old
Konrad III the Old
Konrad III the Old was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa since 1377 ....

, Duke of Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...

. They had six children:
  1. Sigismund (b. ca. 1432 - d. 24 December 1458).
  2. Henry XI (b. ca. 1435 - d. 22 February 1476).
  3. Anna (b. ca. 1440 - d. 17 December 1483), married in 1454 Jan II of Rosenberg
    Rosenberg
    - Places :* Rosenberg, Baden, a municipality in the district of Neckar-Odenwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany* Rosenberg , a municipality in the district of Ostalbkreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany...

    .
  4. A son (b. bef. 30 May 1447 - d. bef. 11 November 1467).
  5. Hedwig (b. ca. 1450 - d. by 30 May 1482).
  6. Katharina (b. bef. 1454 - d. aft. 14 November 1497).


In a will written in 1447 he left the Duchy to his three sons as co-rulers. In the testament was an entry who expressed the wish that the Duchy was not divided for 20 years. His heirs weren't allowed to consult foreign advisers. This was to ensure the unify of Głogów. However, the early death of two of his sons prevented the danger of further divisions, and the all the Duchy of Głogów passed to his only surviving son, Henry XI, the last male member of his line.
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