Bolko V the Hussite

Bolko V. (also Boleslaw V of Opole, Boleslaw V of Opole, Opole Polish Bolko V; Czech Boleslav V. Opolský; * 1400, † May 29, 1460 ) was Duke of Opole from 1437 to 1460 and from 1425 to 1460 Duke of small Glogau, and 1455-1460 Duke of Falkenberg and Strehlitz. As a follower of the Hussites, he participated in the raids in Silesia.

Family and origin

Bolko came from the Opole Silesian branch of the Piast dynasty. He was the firstborn son of the Duke Bolko IV and Margaret of Gorizia.

To 1418 he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Elizabeth of Pilitza their marriage with Wincenty Granovsky. This marriage came Bolkos only son Wenzel, who died around 1453. After the marriage was dissolved in 1450 with Elisabeth, married in Bolko year later Hedwig, daughter of Henry of piping.

Life

Already in 1425, his father entrusted him to the field of small Glogau, so Bolko V. below titled as Duke of Opole and Mr. Klein to Glogau and Prudnik. As at March 13, 1428, a Hussite Klein Glogau stormed succeeded Bolko, with a contract and to protect that of his father, the area from further raids. He then went on to the Hussites and confiscated church property. The collegiate church in Glogau Small ( Oberglogau ) he stopped in front of its revenue. As in the first half of March 1430 Dobeslaus Puchala and Siegmund Koribut, a nephew of the Litauerfürsten Witold was invaded with a Polish army in Upper Silesia, joined them Bolko V. at the only Silesian prince. Together with Puchala he conquered Cross Castle and besieged other Silesian cities. Once in March 1433 took the Hussites during a raid in the Považie Rybnik, they delivered it Bolko V., which it declined two months later the Troppauer Duke Nicholas V again. Concluded in September 1433 covenant of peace ( the peace ) did not occur at Bolko the only Silesian prince. He also refused to recognize Emperor Sigismund as King of Bohemia.

After the death of his father in 1437 Bolko took over along with his brothers John, who died two years later and Nicholas I assumed the regency over the Duchy of Opole. 1443 Bolko protested against the sale of the Duchy of Cieszyn Sewerien by the Duke Wenceslas I to the Bishop of Cracow, Zbigniew Oleśnicki because he was of the opinion that he is entitled Sewerien inheritance rights. As of January Taborit Kolda of Žampach and Glatzer pledge Mr. Hynek Kruschina of Lichtenburg also turned Bolko V. from the 1440s to the robber barons and perpetrated attacks on goods and merchant trains.

After 1454 Bolko acquired by Duke Ernst the two-thirds share of the Duchy of Opava, to this managed as guardian of the children of his deceased older brother William in 1452. The Silesian Federation of princes and several towns, which met in the presence of Czech representatives in Wroclaw on 16 April 1458, he did not join. The federal government rejected the Bohemian elective monarchy and also wanted the election of George Podiebrad, as a non- orthodox King, do not recognize. In contrast, Bolko known as a supporter of King George.

Since Bolko died without issue, was succeeded by his only surviving brother, Nicholas I, who continued the Opole line. He was forced to cede the acquired Bolko V. proportion of Opava to King George of Podiebrad who could thus strengthen its influence in Moravia and Silesia.