Nicholas II, Duke of Opava facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas II of Opava
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| Duke of Opava | |
Seal of the Duke Nicholas II
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| Born | 1288 |
| Died | 8 December 1365 |
| Noble family | Přemyslid-Opava |
| Spouse(s) | Anna of Racibórz Hedwig of Oleśnica Jutta of Opole-Falkenberg |
| Issue | John I Euphemia Elisabeth Agnes Anna Margaret Nicholas III Anna Wenceslaus I Przemko I |
| Father | Nicholas I, Duke of Opava |
| Mother | Adelheid of Habsburg |
Nicholas II of Opava (born 1288 – died 8 December 1365) was an important duke from the Přemyslid dynasty. He ruled as the Duke of Opava from 1318 to 1365. Later, he also became the Duke of Ratibór from 1337 to 1365. Nicholas II was also the Burgrave of Kladsko and a chamberlain for the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Contents
Nicholas II's Early Life and Rise to Power
Nicholas II was part of the Opava branch of the Přemyslovci family. His father was Duke Nicholas I of Opava. His mother was Adelheid of Habsburg, who was a niece of King Rudolf I.
Nicholas II was a strong supporter of King John of Luxembourg of Bohemia. Because of his loyalty, King John gave him Opava as a fief in 1318. A fief was like a land grant given in exchange for loyalty and service. At this time, Opava also became an independent duchy. Nicholas II then moved his main home from Hradec nad Moravicí to Opava.
Expanding His Lands: Becoming Duke of Ratibór
In 1318, Nicholas II married Anna of Racibórz. She was the only sister of Duke Leszek of Ratibór. Duke Leszek did not have any children. So, when he died in 1336, his land, the Duchy of Ratibór, went back to the Bohemian Crown.
King John, still grateful for Nicholas II's loyalty, gave Ratibór to him in 1337. This made Nicholas II a very powerful ruler. He now controlled both Opava and Ratibór. This also meant that Ratibór became more connected to Silesia. In 1350, Nicholas II was also mentioned as the Burgrave of Kłodzko.
Family Life and Children
Nicholas II was married three times during his life.
First Marriage to Anna of Racibórz
Around 1318, he married Anna of Racibórz. She passed away around 1340. They had several children together:
- John I (died between 1380 and 1382)
- He married Anna, a daughter of Duke Henry V of Głogów-Żagań.
- John I started the Opava-Ratibór line of the Přemyslovci family.
- Euphemia (died 1352)
- She married Duke Siemowit III of Mazovia.
- Elisabeth (died 1386)
- She became a nun in Ratibór.
- Agnes (died 1404)
- She also became a nun in Ratibór.
- Anna (died 1361)
- She married Count Burchard of Hardegg and Retz.
- Margaret (died 1363)
- She married Margrave John Henry of Moravia.
Second Marriage to Hedwig of Oleśnica
After Anna's death, Nicholas II married Hedwig in May 1342. She was a daughter of Duke Konrad I of Oleśnica. Hedwig passed away in 1359. They had one son:
- Nicholas III (died 1394)
- He became the Duke of Głubczyce from 1377 to 1394.
Third Marriage to Jutta of Opole-Falkenberg
In 1360, Nicholas II married his third wife, Jutta. She was a daughter of Duke Boleslaw II of Opole-Falkenberg. Jutta lived until after 1378. They had three more children:
- Anna (died 1398)
- She married Peter Holický of Šternberk.
- Wenceslaus I (died 1381)
- He was the Duke of Opava from 1377 to 1381.
- Przemko I (died 1433)
- He became the Duke of Opava from 1365 to 1433.
- He also ruled as the Duke of Głubczyce from 1394 to 1433.
