Anna von Schweidnitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anna of Świdnica |
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| Holy Roman Empress | |
| Tenure | 1355–1362 |
| Queen consort of Germany and Bohemia | |
| Tenure | 1353–1362 |
| Born | c. 1339 Świdnica |
| Died | 11 July 1362 (aged 22 or 23) Prague, Bohemia |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Wenceslaus, King of the Romans Elisabeth of Bohemia |
| House | Piast |
| Father | Henry II of Świdnica |
| Mother | Katharina of Hungary |
Anna of Świdnica (also known as Anna of Schweidnitz) was an important queen and empress in the 1300s. She was born in Świdnica in 1339. Anna became the third wife of Emperor Charles IV. She held the titles of Queen of Bohemia, Queen of Germany, and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. Anna passed away in Prague on July 11, 1362.
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Life Story of Anna of Świdnica
Anna was the daughter of Henry II of Świdnica, a Polish Duke. Her family belonged to the Piast dynasty, a very old ruling family. Her mother was Katherine of Hungary. Katherine was the daughter of Charles I of Hungary, a powerful king.
Early Life and Family
Anna's father died when she was only four years old. Her uncle, Bolko II, Duke of Świdnica-Jawor, became her guardian. Anna was raised and educated by her mother in Hungary. When she was 11, Anna was planned to marry Wenceslaus. He was the newborn son of Emperor Charles IV.
Marriage to Emperor Charles IV
Sadly, young Wenceslaus and his mother died. Emperor Charles IV was now a widower. He then asked to marry Anna himself. This marriage was part of a bigger plan. Charles wanted to gain control of the lands called the Duchies of Silesia. These lands were near the Kingdom of Bohemia. Anna's uncle, Louis I of Hungary, helped make the marriage happen. He gave up his claims to Świdnica. This helped the family of Charles IV.
The Pope, Pope Innocent VI, had to give special permission for the marriage. This was because Anna and Charles were distant cousins. They were related through their shared ancestors, Rudolf I of Germany and Gertrude of Hohenberg. Anna was 14 years old when she married Charles on May 27, 1353. Charles was 37. Many important people attended the wedding. These included dukes, kings, and envoys from different lands.
Coronations and Empress Title
Anna was crowned Queen of Bohemia in Prague on July 28, 1353. This was done by Archbishop Arnošt of Pardubice. On February 9, 1354, she was crowned German queen in Aachen.
A very special event happened on April 5, 1355. Charles was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome. At the same time, Anna was crowned Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. This made her the first Queen of Bohemia to also become an Empress.
Children and Later Life
In 1358, Anna gave birth to a daughter named Elisabeth. She was named after Charles's mother. In February 1361, Anna had a son, Wenceslaus. He was the son everyone hoped for, as he would be the next ruler. Wenceslaus was born in Nuremberg. He was baptized on April 11 by three archbishops.
Anna did not live to see her son Wenceslaus crowned king. He was only two years old at the time. Anna died on July 11, 1362, during childbirth. She was only 23 years old. Anna was buried in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. One year later, Emperor Charles married his fourth wife, Elisabeth of Pomerania. After Anna's uncle Bolko died in 1368, the lands of Świdnica and Jawor became part of Bohemia.
