Euphemia of Münsterberg (ca. 1385 – 17 November 1447), also known as Euphemia, Countess of Oettingen, was a princess member of the Piast dynasty in the Münsterberg (Ziębice) branch, by marriage Countess of Öttingen and sovereign Duchess of Münsterberg during 1435–1443.
She was the third child and eldest daughter of Duke Bolko III of Münsterberg by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Bolesław of Bytom.
In 1397 Euphemia married with the widower Count Frederick III of Oettingen. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters.[1][2] Perhaps under her influence, a German translation of the "Life of St. Hedwig of Andechs" with rich colors and illustrations was made, which remained in the Comital Library of Oettingen. After the death of her husband (23 January 1423), Euphemia returned to Münsterberg.
After the death of her brother John in 1428, the Duchy of Ziębice was incorporated into the Bohemian Kingdom and one year later (1429) granted to the magnate Puta III of Častolovic, Starost of Kłodzko. Shortly after, Euphemia borrowed to the Emperor Sigismund the sum of 4,000 guilders and buy with another 100 guilders the claims of Puta III's mother (Anna of Oświęcim) and eldest daughters (Anna and Katharina of Častolovic). On 11 November 1435, Euphemia was formally invested as Duchess of Ziębice.[3]
Nicholas, Abbot of Heinrichau (Henryków), strongly opposed to Euphemia's rule; was suspected that he was Hussite. In order to revenge, the Duchess ordened to Sigismund of Rachenau, castellan of Neuhaus (Chałupki) plundered and burned the monastery of Heinrichau in 1438.
The continue disputes with Puta III's widow Anna of Kolditz and her second husband Henry Cruschina of Lichtenburg developed during all Euphemia's reign. Finally, was made a settlement in 1443: Münsterberg was given to Duke William of Opawa, Euphemia's nephew (son of her late younger sister Katharina) and son-in-law of Puta III (husband of his younger daughter Salome).
After definitely losing the government of the Duchy, Euphemia returned to Germany. She died four years later.[4]
| Preceded by Puta III of Častolovic |
Duke of Ziębice 1435–1443 |
Succeeded by William |