Duchy of Opole
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2022) |
Duchy of Opole | |||||||||
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1172–1202 1281–1532 | |||||||||
Bohemian Crown (until 1742) Part of Prussia (1742–1919) | |||||||||
Capital | Opole | ||||||||
Demonym(s) | Opolean | ||||||||
Government | monarchy | ||||||||
Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||
1172 | |||||||||
• United with Racibórz | 1202 | ||||||||
• Split off Racibórz | 1281 | ||||||||
• Vassalized (finally) by Bohemia | 1327 | ||||||||
• Inherited Racibórz | 1521 | ||||||||
• Fell to Bohemia | 1532 | ||||||||
• Annexed by Prussia | 1742 | ||||||||
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Duchy of Opole (Polish: Księstwo opolskie; German: Herzogtum Oppeln; Czech: Opolské knížectví) was one of the duchies of Silesia ruled by the branch of Polish Piast dynasty. Its capital was Opole (Oppeln, Opolí) in Upper Silesia.
History
Duke
Duke
When Duke Jarosław died in 1201, the Opole lands reverted to his still living father Bolesław and were briefly incorporated into the Duchy of Wrocław. Bolesław himself however died shortly afterwards and in 1202 Opole was taken by his brother Duke Mieszko I Tanglefoot of Racibórz, who merged it with his duchy, creating the united Upper Silesian Duchy of Opole and Racibórz.
After the death of Mieszko's grandson Duke
The Duchy underwent various future territorial changes, becoming increasingly small until the mid-15th century, when it would start to expand again, resulting in the recreation of the Duchy of Opole and Racibórz under Duke Jan II the Good in 1521. Jan however died without issue in 1532 and the Opole line of the Piasts became extinct, whereafter Opole and Racibórz as feudal fiefdoms reverted to the sovereignty of the Bohemian Crown. It would then fall to Margrave George of Brandenburg-Ansbach from the House of Hohenzollern, who had signed his inheritance treaty with Duke Jan in 1522 with the consent of the Bohemian king Ferdinand I of Habsburg.
Between 1645 and 1666 Opole was held in feu by the Polish House of Vasa, reverting to the Habsburg kings of Bohemia.
In 1742 it was annexed and incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia.
See also
- Dukes of Opole
- Dukes of Silesia
- Opole Voivodeship
References
- ^ Previté-Orton, C.W., The Shorter Cambridge Medieval History, Cambridge University Press, U.K., 1952, vol.2, p.743, et al