Przemko of Ścinawa
Encyclopedia
Przemko of Ścinawa (1255/65 – 26 February 1289) was Duke of Żagań
from 1278 to 1284 and Duke of Ścinawa
from 1284 until his death.
He was the third and youngest son of Konrad I
, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome
, daughter of Duke Władysław of Greater Poland
.
. Only in 1278 he received the Duchy of Żagań (which included Żagań
, Szprotawa
and Nowogród Bobrzański
) as an independent ruler. By 1281 he paid homage to Henry IV Probus, Duke of Wroclaw
.
As a result of pressures from Henry IV Probus, in 1284, Przemko and his brother Konrad II the Hunchback
, Duke of Ścinawa, exchanged their lands: Przemko assumed rule over Ścinawa and Konrad II took Żagań. This was maybe because Henry IV preferred in the borders of his domains the most trustful Przemko, who, like his brother Henry III, was a faithful follower of Henry IV's politics, supporting him in all his major projects, including in the conflict with the Bishop Thomas II of Wroclaw. When Henry IV Probus took control over Krakow after the death of Leszek II the Black
in 1288, he could count on the support of the Duke of Ścinawa.
. According to the Chronicle of Jan Długosz, the exact date of the battle was 26 February 1290; however, 26 February 1289 seems a more likely date, and is given by other sources.
His death had a very vivid description, thanks to the Nagrobków książąt śląskich and the Kroniki książąt polskich. According to these sources, he was taken prisoner among other Silesian Dukes, but during the subsequent confusion after the defeat, he was murdered in the battlefield.
The key to the interpretation of both sources, could be found in the Duke's grave in the Cisternian monastery of Lubiąż
, who was possibly the main cause of the description of Przemko's dramatic end. The hatred of the Dukes of Głogów against Władysław I the Elbow-high, developed in the second half of 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, was possibly the true cause of this description. Moreover, as support of this theory was the fact that Duke Bolko I of Opole
, who also captured in the same battle, was treated differently. The Dukes of Głogów were closely linked with the Monastery of Lubiąż. It is there were the Duke of Ścinawa was buried; also, just before to his departure to the battle, he ordered two of his villages: Łososzkowice (now Łososiowice) and Żyrków (now Żerków
), to provide storage and support to the Cistercians.
In the next years after the death of Przemko in Siewierz was established in Lubiąż an excellent epitaph
work; Przemko's grave, whose inscription was "Among everything to God and the Nature gave to the Polish, the best was without doubt the prince Przemko" (Wszystko, co Bóg i natura dały Polakom najlepszego, najwznioślejszego, było udziałem księcia Przemka) certainly influenced the imagination of the near inhabitants. The Duke of Ścinawa probably died during the battle, in unclear circumstances. It is doubtful that Władysław I the Elbow-high and Bolesław II of Płock, or any knight, could murder Przemko in cold blood. Another interesting fact was, if Przemko was captured and murdered immediately, his direct relatives never revenged his death. Henry III's politics with Władysław I never exposed an open hostility, which characterize the Duke of Głogów's relations with Henry V the Fat.
Przemko never married or had children; according to the Feudal Law, Ścinawa was anexed by Henry IV Probus to his domains, as part of his projected unification of Poland.
, Lubin
, Przemków
, Wołów and Wińsko
.
, who became in the ancestor of the Żagań-Głogów branch, which ended in 1504.
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
from 1278 to 1284 and Duke 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...
from 1284 until his death.
He was the third and youngest son of Konrad I
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:...
, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome
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....
, daughter of Duke Władysław of 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...
.
Duke of Żagań and later of Ścinawa
After his father's death in 1274, Przemko was placed under the care of his older brother Henry IIIHenry III, Duke of Silesia-Glogau
Henry III of Głogów was a Duke of Głogów from 1274 to his death and also Duke of parts of Greater Poland during 1306–1309....
. Only in 1278 he received the Duchy of Żagań (which included Żagań
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, 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...
and Nowogród Bobrzański
Nowogród Bobrzanski
Nowogród Bobrzański is a town on the Bóbr river in Zielona Góra County, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,068 inhabitants . It is the administrative seat of the Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański....
) as an independent ruler. By 1281 he paid homage to Henry IV Probus, Duke 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...
.
As a result of pressures from Henry IV Probus, in 1284, Przemko and his brother Konrad II the Hunchback
Konrad II the Hunchback
Konrad II the Hunchback was Duke of Ścinawa from 1278 to 1284 and Duke of Żagań from 1284 until his death.He was the second son of Konrad I, Duke of Głogów by his first wife Salome, daughter of Duke Władysław of Greater Poland...
, Duke of Ścinawa, exchanged their lands: Przemko assumed rule over Ścinawa and Konrad II took Żagań. This was maybe because Henry IV preferred in the borders of his domains the most trustful Przemko, who, like his brother Henry III, was a faithful follower of Henry IV's politics, supporting him in all his major projects, including in the conflict with the Bishop Thomas II of Wroclaw. When Henry IV Probus took control over Krakow after the death of Leszek II the Black
Leszek II the Black
Leszek the Black , named after his black hair, was one of the High Dukes of the fragmented Kingdom of Poland. He ruled from 1279 to 1288, and was married to Agrippina of Slavonia with no children.- Life :...
in 1288, he could count on the support of the Duke of Ścinawa.
Death
Przemko died during the Battle of Siewierz between Henry IV Probus and the coalition formed by Duke Bolesław II of Płock and Duke Władysław I the Elbow-high of KuyaviaKuyavia
Kujawy , is a historical and ethnographic region in the north-central Poland, situated in the basin of the middle Vistula and upper Noteć Rivers, with its capital in Włocławek.-Etymology:The origin of the name Kujawy was seen differently in history...
. According to the Chronicle of Jan Długosz, the exact date of the battle was 26 February 1290; however, 26 February 1289 seems a more likely date, and is given by other sources.
His death had a very vivid description, thanks to the Nagrobków książąt śląskich and the Kroniki książąt polskich. According to these sources, he was taken prisoner among other Silesian Dukes, but during the subsequent confusion after the defeat, he was murdered in the battlefield.
The key to the interpretation of both sources, could be found in the Duke's grave in the Cisternian monastery 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...
, who was possibly the main cause of the description of Przemko's dramatic end. The hatred of the Dukes of Głogów against Władysław I the Elbow-high, developed in the second half of 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, was possibly the true cause of this description. Moreover, as support of this theory was the fact that Duke Bolko I of Opole
Bolko I of Opole
Bolko 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...
, who also captured in the same battle, was treated differently. The Dukes of Głogów were closely linked with the Monastery of Lubiąż. It is there were the Duke of Ścinawa was buried; also, just before to his departure to the battle, he ordered two of his villages: Łososzkowice (now Łososiowice) and Żyrków (now Żerków
Zerków
Żerków is a town in Jarocin County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, with 2,076 inhabitants . Zerkow was used by the Germans during WWII as a resort spot for soldiers during the war, which is located 53 kilometers east of the Polish Industrial City of Poznań, Poland.In 1962 a telecommunication...
), to provide storage and support to the Cistercians.
In the next years after the death of Przemko in Siewierz was established in Lubiąż an excellent epitaph
Epitaph
An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial...
work; Przemko's grave, whose inscription was "Among everything to God and the Nature gave to the Polish, the best was without doubt the prince Przemko" (Wszystko, co Bóg i natura dały Polakom najlepszego, najwznioślejszego, było udziałem księcia Przemka) certainly influenced the imagination of the near inhabitants. The Duke of Ścinawa probably died during the battle, in unclear circumstances. It is doubtful that Władysław I the Elbow-high and Bolesław II of Płock, or any knight, could murder Przemko in cold blood. Another interesting fact was, if Przemko was captured and murdered immediately, his direct relatives never revenged his death. Henry III's politics with Władysław I never exposed an open hostility, which characterize the Duke of Głogów's relations with Henry V the Fat.
Przemko never married or had children; according to the Feudal Law, Ścinawa was anexed by Henry IV Probus to his domains, as part of his projected unification of Poland.
Establishment of the Magdeburg Law by Przemko
During his reign, Przemko granted the Magdeburg Law to five Silesian towns: ŻagańZagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, 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,...
, Przemków
Przemków
Przemków is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Przemków. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
, Wołów and Wińsko
Winsko
Wińsko is a village in Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Wińsko. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....
.
Żagań
The first historical mention of Żagań was around 1202. The town was placed on the Magdeburg Law by Przemko in 1280. The document is not preserved today (one charter found later was considered now a forgery). Żagań gained fame as the capital of the Duchies of Żagań and Żagań-Głogów. Later, after the death of Henry III in 1309 and the subsequent division of his domains, Żagań was inherited by his oldest son, Henry IV the FaithfulHenry IV the Faithful
Henry IV the Faithful was a Duke of Żagań and parts of Greater Poland from 1309 until 1317 , Duke of Głogów from 1318 until 1321 and sole ruler over Żagań from 1321 until his death.He was the oldest son of Henry III , Duke of Głogów, by...
, who became in the ancestor of the Żagań-Głogów branch, which ended in 1504.