Agnes of Austria (1322–1392) facts for kids
Agnes of Austria (born in 1322, died on February 2, 1392) was a princess from the important House of Habsburg family in Germany. When she married, she became the Duchess of Świdnica.
Agnes was the second daughter of Leopold I, Duke of Austria. Her mother was Katharina, whose father was Amadeus V, Count of Savoy.
Life of Agnes of Austria
Agnes's father passed away early in 1326. After this, Agnes and her older sister, Katharina, were looked after by their uncles. These uncles were Frederick the Fair and Albert II. They became her guardians.
On June 1, 1338, Agnes married Bolko II the Small, who was the Duke of Świdnica. Bolko wanted this marriage to make his position stronger in Europe. He was competing against the powerful House of Luxembourg family.
Agnes and Bolko did not have any children that survived. However, some old stories say they had two children. One was a daughter named Elisabeth, and the other was a son named Bolko. The legend says young Bolko died at age nine. He was accidentally killed by the court jester, Jakob Thau, during a game.
Duchess and Ruler
When her husband, Bolko II, died in 1368, Agnes became the ruler of several lands. According to his will, she received Świdnica, Jawor, and Lwówek. These lands were given to her as her dower, which is a special gift for a wife after her husband's death.
Agnes passed away on February 2, 1392, in Świdnica. She was buried in the Franciscan Princely Chapel of the Grüssau Abbey.
Legacy and Sculpture
There was an agreement made in 1353 between Bolko II and Emperor Charles IV. This agreement stated that after Agnes died, her lands would become part of the lands of Bohemia. This happened under the rule of Wenceslaus, King of the Romans.
Later, a beautiful white marble sculpture of Agnes was made. This sculpture was placed in the Princely Chapel (Fürstenkapelle) of Grüssau Abbey. It was built when Abbot Benedict II Seidel was in charge, between 1735 and 1747. The sculpture is still there today.
Images for kids
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Agnes
