Bolko II the Small one

Bolko II Small the (in Polish Bolko II Mały ), known also under the name of Bolko II of Świdnica ( Bolko II Świdnicki ), from the Dynasty of the Piasts, was born between 1309 and 1312, and deceased the July 28th 1368.

It reigns on the Duché of Świdnica (starting from 1326), on the duchy of Jawor (starting from 1346), on half of the duchy of Brzeg and Oława (starting from 1358), on the duchy of Siewierz (starting from 1359), on half of the duchy of Głogów and Ścinawa (starting from 1361), on the Lusace (starting from 1364). He is the last duke Piast of Silesia to have been independent.

Duke of Świdnica

Bolko II the Small one is the oldest son of Bernard de Świdnica and Cunégonde, the girl of Ladislas I {{er}} the Brief. With died his/her father in 1326, it inherits the duchy of Świdnica. Too much young person to reign, his/her mother and her two uncles (Bolko II of Ziębice and Henri de Jawor) ensures the Régence.

Bringing together with Poland, Hungary and the Holy roman Empire

As soon as it reaches the capacity, it endeavors to ensure the independence of its duchy vis-a-vis the appetite of its powerful neighbors, in particular Jean of Luxembourg, the king de Bohême. It is in 1329 that the first showdown between the two men takes place. Following a military action and political carried out in Silesia by the king of Bohemia, only his/her uncles and his brother-in-law Przemko de Głogów, refuse to return a Hommage of Vassal ité to Jean of Luxembourg. Bolko II the Small one, not feeling yet rather extremely, valley of alliances. It goes initially to the court of the king Charles Robert of Hungary to seek a support. Then, it goes in his Ladislas grandfather the Brief which also ensures it of its support. In August 1329, it accompanies in Italy the partisans by Louis de Wittelsbach to claim the imperial crown for this one. All these steps have as a result the creation of an alliance between the Wittelsbach and the Poland, directed against Jean of Luxembourg.

Intervention of Jean of Luxembourg

All this diplomatic activity was not sufficient to protect the duchy from Świdnica. In 1331, Bohemia and the Teutoniques launch a joint attack against Ladislas the Brief. Jean of Luxembourg, to join on the way Teutoniques with Kalisz, stops in Silesia to put the pressure on the recalcitrant duke. He besieges Niemcza, pertaining to Bolko II the Small one, before seizing some. Then, it annexes in Bohemia the area of Głogów, that the duke Przemko had left with his Constance widow, the sister of Bolko.

An increasingly large insulation

In 1336, the position of Bolko II weakens. Initially, his/her uncle Bolko II of Ziębice pays a homage of vassalage to Bohemia, to profit in usufruct from the area from Kłodzko. Then, Casimir III Large the gives up its rights temporarily on Silesia.

Alliance with Poland, Hungary and the Holy roman Empire

Nevertheless, Bolko II continues to collaborate with the kings of Poland and Hungary, to dissuade Bohemia to attack him. In 1338, to reinforce its position on the international plan, it marries Agnès, of the dynasty of the Habsbourg, the rivals of the Maison of Luxembourg. The good relationships which it maintains with Poland make it possible him to open trade route connecting its duchy to the Galicie-Volhynie which has just conquered Casimir the Large one. January 1st 1345, thanks to the role of mediator played by Bolko II the Small one, an alliance is officially concluded between Bolko II, Louis IV of the Holy roman Empire, Casimir III of Poland and Louis I {{er}} of Hungary.

War of Silesia (1345-1348)

Alliance enters in action in spring of the same year. Jean of Luxembourg decides to finish with Bolko II the Small one. In Świdnica, Bolko succeeds in resisting the seat of the Czech army . Indeed, in May 1345, the allies launch an attack against Silesia, obliging most of the forces gipsies to leave Świdnica to face the aggression. Louis IV of the Holy roman Empire leaves alliance very quickly and signs a separated peace with Bohemia. The war continues in spite of the deaths of Jean of Luxembourg (in 1346) and of Louis IV of the Holy roman Empire (in 1347). A peace treaty is finally concluded the November 22nd 1348 with Namysłów. For reasons which are unknown for us, Bolko does not take part in the peace negotiations and its interests are defended not Casimir the Large one. Finally, the August 16th 1350, an agreement is signed between Bolko and Charles IV of Luxembourg, the new sovereign of the Holy roman Empire and Bohemia, to standardize the relations between the two men.

Bringing together with Charles IV

Following the peace of Namysłów, Bolko does not have any more reason to follow a policy against Luxembourg. The duke of Świdnica gradually approaches Charles IV whole while preserving good relationships with Poland and Hungary. Not having wire, Bolko Marie her niece Anne (the girl of Henri II of Jawor) with the son of Charles IV the December 13rd 1350. It decides that after its death, the young couple will inherit all its possessions. Unfortunately, the son of Charles IV dies shortly after his marriage. Charles IV does not resign himself to give up the duchy of Świdnica. In 1353, after having obtained the agreement of Bolko, it marries the young widow who becomes empress and queen of Bohemia.

The expansion of the duchy of Świdnica

Bolko II draws from many profits of this bringing together with Charles IV and the Economic development of its duchy (in particular of the exploitation of a mine of Or). Already in 1346, it had inherited the duchy of Jawor after the death of his/her Henri brother. In 1358, it buys half of the duchy pertaining to Wacław de Brzeg. In 1359, thanks to the intervention of Charles IV, it obtains fortified towns located on the border between Bohemia and Silesia. The same year, it also buys the duchy of Siewierz to the duke of Cieszyn. The good agreement with the emperor enables him to regulate the old dispute of 1331. In 1360, Charles IV recognizes that the widow of Przemko and sister of Bolko has a right on the duchy of Głogów. When this one dies in 1361, Charles IV offers in usufruct to Bolko half of the duchy of Głogów and Ścinawa. The April 14th 1364, Bolko buys in Charles IV the right to control on Lusace.

Large of Europe

Thanks to its richness and with all its acquisitions, Bolko II becomes a sovereign influential and respected in the political scene European of the time. Thus, in 1363, with Casimir III, it intervenes like mediator to solve a conflict between the kings of Hungary and Bohemia. In 1364, it takes part in the congress of Cracow which brings together five kings and nine dukes and princes.

Death

Bolko II the Small one dies the July 28th 1368 and is buried with the Monastère Krzeszów. After the death of its widow in 1392, the duchy of Świdnica and Jawor is incorporated in the kingdom of Bohemia.

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