Konrad IV the Older
Encyclopedia
Konrad IV the Older (ca. 1384 – 9 August 1447) was a Duke of Oels (Oleśnica)
, Koźle
, half of Bytom
and half of Ścinawa
during 1412–1416 (with his brothers as co-rulers), since 1416 sole ruler over Kąty (Kanth), Bierutów
, Prudnik
and Syców
and since 1417 Bishop of Wroclaw and Duke of Nysa
.
He was the eldest son of Konrad III the Old
, Duke of Oleśnica
, by his wife Judith. Interestingly, the name of Konrad was also wore by his four younger brothers; they were identified by historians only through letters and regnal numbers.
of Wrocław and Provost
of Domasław, but he failed; however, this not discouraged Konrad IV, who by 1410 was finally chosen Canon of Wroclaw and during 1411-1417 held the office of Provost of the Chapter. In 1411 Konrad IV concentrated all his efforts to his election as Bishop of Warmia
. To this end, he went even made the long journey to Rome
, and although the expedition was unsuccessfully, as compensation he received with the master's degree
and received a papal notary. In 1412 he was appointed Canon of Olomouc
.
After the resignation of the Bishop of Wroclaw, Duke Wenceslaus II of Legnica
in 1417, Pope Martin V
appointed him on 17 December 1417 as the new Bishop of Wroclaw. Konrad IV was ordained as Bishop on 22 January 1418 at the hands of John Tylemann, sufragant of the Kolegiata of St. Nicholas in Otmuchów
.
. In 1412 Konrad IV acted as mediator in the conflicts between the Dukes of Opole
, King Wenceslaus IV and the city of Wroclaw. Finally, in 1416 together with his brothers, he joined the alliance with the Master of the Teutonic Knights, Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg
, against Poland
.
In 1412, after the death of his father, Konrad IV became in Duke of Oleśnica
together with his younger brother Konrad V Kantner
as co-rulers. In 1416, hoping ascend in his church career, Konrad IV renounced in favor of Konrad V and his other younger brothers the government of almost all the duchy, but maintained the control over the towns of from most areas of the duchy of maintaining control over Kątach (Kanth), Bierutów, Prudnik and Syców.
His years as a ruler over the Diocese of Wroclaw and the Duchy of Nysa
-Otmuchów
coincided with the turbulent period of the Hussite Wars
, which largely determined the politics of the Duke-Bishop.
and then went with his sovereign to Prague
, where the Emperor was crowned as King of Bohemia. The Duke-Bishop's fidelity to the House of Luxembourg
was deeply strong, even years later when they lost the German Kingdom and retained only the authority over Silesia. Konrad IV was also is involved in organized a crusade against the reign delicuence over the Silesian lands, who ended with the occupation of Broumov
.
In 1422 and thanks to his merits the Emperor appointed Konrad IV Governor of Silesia and officially entrusted to him the organization of the fight against the Hussites.
In January 1423 Konrad IV, along with other Silesian princes, was present during the negotiations from an eventual alliance between the Emperor Sigismund and the Teutonic Order against King Władysław II of Poland
. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event of the defeated of the Polish Kingdom, was guaranteed to the Silesian princes territorial acquisitions. Finally, the treaty wasn't performed because King Władysław II, after a meeting with the Emperor in Kežmarok
, obtained his refusal to participated in the alliance. The Bishop followed the example of his sovereign and, in April of 1424 he went with his brother Konrad V to Kalisz
, where they reestablished his relations with Poland.
By 1425 he led a new crusade against the Hussites organized by the Kingdom of Bohemia; however, this also was ended in a disaster.
Since 1427 the Hussites engaged in a retaliatory expedition against the lands of Emperor Sigismund's allies; during this trip, they destroyed Lusatia
, Złotoryja and Lubań
.
In order to neutralize the threat of the Hussites, the Silesian princes and some main cities (like Wroclaw
and Świdnica
) asked the Bishop of Wrocław for mutual aid and offered him the leadership of the coalition. The fear of the cities and princes was demonstrated in the following year, when entered to Silesia a Hussite army under the command of Prokop the Great
. Most of the princes concluded further arrangements with the Hussite leader who, in return for a high ransom and free passage through their territories, guarantee them the inviolability of their properties.
Despite the open betrayal by some of the princes, Konrad IV decided to fight, counting with some troops commanded by Duke Jan of Ziębice. The battle was in Stary Wielisław near Nysa
on 27 August 1428. The Hussite forces crushed the coalition troops; the Duke of Ziębice was killed in the battle but Konrad IV could escape.
After the battle, Prokop the Great's army spend time in the depths of Silesia and started to burning and destroying most of the Lower
and Upper Silesia
lands, mainly focusing on the goods of the Bishopric of Wroclaw (except on the areas which belonged to the princes and cities that previously treaties with them). In order to obtain some protection, the Duke-Bishop became closer to one of the main Hussites leaders among Silesian princes, Duke Bolko V of Opole
.
In subsequent years, despite the defeat of 1428, Konrad IV tried to continue the war against the Hussites in Silesia, counting with the majority of the Wroclaw nobility.
By 1430 since the Northwestern went another expedition Hussites, supported by the Polish mercenary Sigismund Korybut
. Konrad IV have to be accept the loss of two important fortress in Niemcza
and Otmuchów
(who were regained five years later and only after his buying from Hussite commanders).
Finally, in 1432 was seriously damaged the Duke-Bishop's personal patrimony, the Duchy of Oleśnica: Oleśnica
was burned, including in the monasteries of Lubiąż
and Trzebnica
.
In order to secure the possessions of the Church, in 1433 Konrad IV decided to renew "the Union of Silesian princes" (Związku książąt śląskich) on which he stood as his leader again.
as his heir in all his possessions, but part of Electors decided to choose the younger brother of the King of Poland, Casimir. Konrad IV stood at the side of Albert V and in 1438 took place the decissive battle. The Polish army tried to encourage the Silesian princes to recognize the authority of Casimir as King of Bohemia after a quick attack, but the Duke-Bishop, together with his brother Konrad V persuaded the Polish troops to retreat (which actually happened, but mainly as a result of the unexpected arrival of the powerful Austrian army).
The relative calm in Silesia remained less than two years. In 1440 was made again a double election as King of Bohemia: this time was the posthumous son of Albert V, Władysław, and the King Władysław III of Poland and Hungary
. This time the case was much more embroiled, as the two candidates have many supporters (among them, Konrad IV maintain his support to the Habsburg cause and his younger brother Konrad VII the White
stood at the side of the Polish King). The subsequent long-term fight debilitated and ruined all the Silesian lands, moreover after a new expedition of the Hussites in 1444.
s), a difficult situation who he leave to his successors.
Financial matters, particularly encouraging Pope Eugene IV
to condemn the simony
in Basel
. This was used by the Chapter and after knew that Konrad IV collected huge sums of money from the Western and Orthodox churches in the Diocese, they decided on 1 August 1444 the formal deposition of the Duke-Bishop. The official reason was the enormous personal debts and a lack of funds for maintenance of his court. However, Pope Eugene IV refused to approve this decision and by the Bull
of 21 July 1445 ordered his reposition as Bishop.
To final reconciliation between Konrad IV and the Chapter occurred only in 1446 and under pressure from the military troops of the Duke-Bishop. This enabled him to arranged the diocesan statutes, which reformed the life of the Church of Wroclaw.
Konrad IV died on the evening of 9 August 1447 in Jelcz
and was buried in the cathedral of Wroclaw
.
Duchy of Oels
The Duchy of Oels or Duchy of Oleśnica was one of the duchies of Silesia, with the capital in Oleśnica, Poland.Initially part of the Piast Duchy of Wrocław, the Oleśnica area became part of the Duchy of Głogów in 1294, following an armed conflict between Duke Henry III and Henry V the Fat, Duke of...
, Koźle
Kozle
Koźle is a district of Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is at the junction of the Kłodnica and Odra rivers, 29 Ifl. southeast of Opole by rail. The district has a Roman Catholic church, a medieval chateau, remains of a 19th century fortress and a high school...
, half of Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
and half of Ścinawa
Scinawa
Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such...
during 1412–1416 (with his brothers as co-rulers), since 1416 sole ruler over Kąty (Kanth), Bierutów
Bierutów
Bierutów is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Bierutów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
, Prudnik
Prudnik
Prudnik is a town in Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship. Its population numbers 26,400 inhabitants . It is the capital of Prudnik County.- Education :* * * II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Prudniku...
and Syców
Syców
Syców is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Syców....
and since 1417 Bishop of Wroclaw and Duke of Nysa
Duchy of Nysa
The Duchy of Nysa , or Duchy of Neisse was one of the duchies of Silesia with its capital at Nysa in Lower Silesia. Alongside the Duchy of Siewierz, it was the only ecclesiastical duchy in the Silesian region, as it was ruled by a bishop of the Catholic Church...
.
He was the eldest son 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...
, by his wife Judith. Interestingly, the name of Konrad was also wore by his four younger brothers; they were identified by historians only through letters and regnal numbers.
Church career
Despite the fact that he was the oldest son and had a strong possibility of inherired all his father's duchy, Konrad IV chosen to follow a religious career. He grown rapidly in the Church hierarchy. By the end of 1399, he became the Cleric of Wroclaw. One year later he postulated to the office of CanonCanon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Wrocław and Provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
of Domasław, but he failed; however, this not discouraged Konrad IV, who by 1410 was finally chosen Canon of Wroclaw and during 1411-1417 held the office of Provost of the Chapter. In 1411 Konrad IV concentrated all his efforts to his election as Bishop of Warmia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Warmia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Warmia is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in present Poland.The Archdiocese contains a population of around 700,000...
. To this end, he went even made the long journey to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and although the expedition was unsuccessfully, as compensation he received with the master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and received a papal notary. In 1412 he was appointed Canon of Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
.
After the resignation of the Bishop of Wroclaw, Duke Wenceslaus II of Legnica
Wenceslaus II of Legnica
Wenceslaus II of Liegnitz was a Duke of Legnica since 1364 until 1413, Bishop of Lebus and Breslau Wenceslaus II of Liegnitz (1348 – 30 December 1419) was a Duke of Legnica since 1364 (only nominal; from 1409 he reigned alone and personally) until 1413, Bishop of Lebus (1375–82) and Breslau...
in 1417, Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
appointed him on 17 December 1417 as the new Bishop of Wroclaw. Konrad IV was ordained as Bishop on 22 January 1418 at the hands of John Tylemann, sufragant of the Kolegiata of St. Nicholas in Otmuchów
Otmuchów
Otmuchów is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,317 inhabitants ....
.
Beginning of his involvement in politics
Despite his clergy state, Konrad IV also was interested in politics. Already in 1402 he joined to the newly alliance between the Silesian princes. In 1409 he stood with his father at the side of King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia in the conclusion of a truce between Poland and the Teutonic KnightsTeutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
. In 1412 Konrad IV acted as mediator in the conflicts between the Dukes 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...
, King Wenceslaus IV and the city of Wroclaw. Finally, in 1416 together with his brothers, he joined the alliance with the Master of the Teutonic Knights, Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg was the 28th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, serving from 1414 to 1422.- Biography :...
, against 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...
.
In 1412, after the death of his father, Konrad IV became in 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...
together with his younger brother Konrad V Kantner
Konrad V Kantner
Konrad V Kantner was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1412–1427 , since 1427 sole ruler over Oleśnica....
as co-rulers. In 1416, hoping ascend in his church career, Konrad IV renounced in favor of Konrad V and his other younger brothers the government of almost all the duchy, but maintained the control over the towns of from most areas of the duchy of maintaining control over Kątach (Kanth), Bierutów, Prudnik and Syców.
His years as a ruler over the Diocese of Wroclaw and the Duchy of Nysa
Nysa
- People :*Nysa , daughter of Laodice IV and Antiochus, wife of Pharnaces I of Pontus* Nysa of Cappadocia, daughter of Pharnaces I of Pontus and Nysa, wife of Ariarathes V of Cappadocia and mother Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia...
-Otmuchów
Otmuchów
Otmuchów is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,317 inhabitants ....
coincided with the turbulent period of the 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 largely determined the politics of the Duke-Bishop.
The Hussite Wars
At the beginning of 1420 Konrad IV, together with the other Silesian princes, reunited in the Silesian Sejm in Wroclaw and paid tribute to the Emperor SigismundSigismund, 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...
and then went with his sovereign to 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...
, where the Emperor was crowned as King of Bohemia. The Duke-Bishop's fidelity to 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:...
was deeply strong, even years later when they lost the German Kingdom and retained only the authority over Silesia. Konrad IV was also is involved in organized a crusade against the reign delicuence over the Silesian lands, who ended with the occupation of Broumov
Broumov
Broumov is a town in the Czech Republic, in the Náchod District of the Hradec Králové Region near the Polish border. The municipality at the small Stěnava River is the center of the Broumovsko area, along with the adjacent Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, a protected area popular with mountain...
.
In 1422 and thanks to his merits the Emperor appointed Konrad IV Governor of Silesia and officially entrusted to him the organization of the fight against the Hussites.
In January 1423 Konrad IV, along with other Silesian princes, was present during the negotiations from an eventual alliance between the Emperor Sigismund and the Teutonic Order against King Władysław II of Poland
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...
. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event of the defeated of the Polish Kingdom, was guaranteed to the Silesian princes territorial acquisitions. Finally, the treaty wasn't performed because King Władysław II, after a meeting with the Emperor in Kežmarok
Kežmarok
Kežmarok is a town in the Spiš region of eastern Slovakia , on the Poprad River.-History:...
, obtained his refusal to participated in the alliance. The Bishop followed the example of his sovereign and, in April of 1424 he went with his brother Konrad V to 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...
, where they reestablished his relations with Poland.
By 1425 he led a new crusade against the Hussites organized by the Kingdom of Bohemia; however, this also was ended in a disaster.
Since 1427 the Hussites engaged in a retaliatory expedition against the lands of Emperor Sigismund's allies; during this trip, they destroyed 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...
, Złotoryja and Lubań
Luban
Lubań is a town in southwest Poland north of the Jizera Mountains on the Kwisa river, with 22,137 inhabitants . Situated within the historic Upper Lusatia region, it today belongs to the Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
.
In order to neutralize the threat of the Hussites, the Silesian princes and some main cities (like 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...
and 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...
) asked the Bishop of Wrocław for mutual aid and offered him the leadership of the coalition. The fear of the cities and princes was demonstrated in the following year, when entered to Silesia a Hussite army under the command of Prokop the Great
Prokop the Great
Prokop or Prokop the Great was one of the most prominent Hussite generals of the Hussite Wars...
. Most of the princes concluded further arrangements with the Hussite leader who, in return for a high ransom and free passage through their territories, guarantee them the inviolability of their properties.
Despite the open betrayal by some of the princes, Konrad IV decided to fight, counting with some troops commanded by Duke Jan of Ziębice. The battle was in Stary Wielisław near Nysa
Nysa
- People :*Nysa , daughter of Laodice IV and Antiochus, wife of Pharnaces I of Pontus* Nysa of Cappadocia, daughter of Pharnaces I of Pontus and Nysa, wife of Ariarathes V of Cappadocia and mother Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia...
on 27 August 1428. The Hussite forces crushed the coalition troops; the Duke of Ziębice was killed in the battle but Konrad IV could escape.
After the battle, Prokop the Great's army spend time in the depths of Silesia and started to burning and destroying most of the Lower
Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia ; is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia; Upper Silesia is to the southeast.Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of the medieval Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1526...
and Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
lands, mainly focusing on the goods of the Bishopric of Wroclaw (except on the areas which belonged to the princes and cities that previously treaties with them). In order to obtain some protection, the Duke-Bishop became closer to one of the main Hussites leaders among Silesian princes, Duke Bolko V of Opole
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....
.
In subsequent years, despite the defeat of 1428, Konrad IV tried to continue the war against the Hussites in Silesia, counting with the majority of the Wroclaw nobility.
By 1430 since the Northwestern went another expedition Hussites, supported by the Polish mercenary Sigismund Korybut
Sigismund Korybut
Sigismund Korybut was a duke from the Gediminid dynasty, best known as a military commander of the Hussite army and a governor of Bohemia and Prague during the Hussite Wars....
. Konrad IV have to be accept the loss of two important fortress in Niemcza
Niemcza
Niemcza is a town in Dzierżoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Niemcza....
and Otmuchów
Otmuchów
Otmuchów is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,317 inhabitants ....
(who were regained five years later and only after his buying from Hussite commanders).
Finally, in 1432 was seriously damaged the Duke-Bishop's personal patrimony, the Duchy of Oleśnica: Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
was burned, including in the monasteries of Lubiąż
Lubiaz
Lubiąż is a village on the east bank of the Odra River, in the administrative district of Gmina Wołów, within Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It lies approximately south-west of Wołów, and west of the regional capital Wrocław. The village has a population of...
and Trzebnica
Trzebnica
Trzebnica is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Trzebnica County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Trzebnica. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
.
In order to secure the possessions of the Church, in 1433 Konrad IV decided to renew "the Union of Silesian princes" (Związku książąt śląskich) on which he stood as his leader again.
Civil war in Silesia
In 1437 the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, Sigismund, died. His death brought Bohemia and Silesia in the civil war. The dying Emperor designed his son-in-law Albert V of HabsburgAlbert 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...
as his heir in all his possessions, but part of Electors decided to choose the younger brother of the King of Poland, Casimir. Konrad IV stood at the side of Albert V and in 1438 took place the decissive battle. The Polish army tried to encourage the Silesian princes to recognize the authority of Casimir as King of Bohemia after a quick attack, but the Duke-Bishop, together with his brother Konrad V persuaded the Polish troops to retreat (which actually happened, but mainly as a result of the unexpected arrival of the powerful Austrian army).
The relative calm in Silesia remained less than two years. In 1440 was made again a double election as King of Bohemia: this time was the posthumous son of Albert V, Władysław, and the King Władysław III of Poland and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. This time the case was much more embroiled, as the two candidates have many supporters (among them, Konrad IV maintain his support to the Habsburg cause and his younger brother Konrad VII the White
Konrad VII the White
Konrad VII the White , was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1416-1427 , sole Duke of Koźle and half of Bytom during 1427-1450, Duke of Oleśnica during 1421-1450 and sole Duke of half of Ścinawa during 1447-1450.He was the fourth son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of...
stood at the side of the Polish King). The subsequent long-term fight debilitated and ruined all the Silesian lands, moreover after a new expedition of the Hussites in 1444.
Financial difficulties and the dispute with the chapter. death
The long wars and interferences of Konrad IV in the politic affairs contributed to deep debts of the Bishopric (who was at the time of his death 8,500 Hungarian guilderGuilder
Guilder is the English translation of the Dutch gulden — from Old Dutch for 'golden'. The guilder originated as a gold coin but has been a common name for a silver or base metal coin for some centuries...
s), a difficult situation who he leave to his successors.
Financial matters, particularly encouraging Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
to condemn the simony
Simony
Simony is the act of paying for sacraments and consequently for holy offices or for positions in the hierarchy of a church, named after Simon Magus , who appears in the Acts of the Apostles 8:9-24...
in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
. This was used by the Chapter and after knew that Konrad IV collected huge sums of money from the Western and Orthodox churches in the Diocese, they decided on 1 August 1444 the formal deposition of the Duke-Bishop. The official reason was the enormous personal debts and a lack of funds for maintenance of his court. However, Pope Eugene IV refused to approve this decision and by the Bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
of 21 July 1445 ordered his reposition as Bishop.
To final reconciliation between Konrad IV and the Chapter occurred only in 1446 and under pressure from the military troops of the Duke-Bishop. This enabled him to arranged the diocesan statutes, which reformed the life of the Church of Wroclaw.
Konrad IV died on the evening of 9 August 1447 in Jelcz
Jelcz
Jelcz is a Polish brand of trucks, buses and trolley buses produced by Zakłady Samochodowe Jelcz SA , a division of Jelczańskie Zakłady Samochodowe or . Currently Zakłady Samochodowe Jelcz SA is closed....
and was buried in the cathedral of 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...
.