Hedwig of Legnica

Hedwig of Legnica (Polish: Jadwiga Legnicka) (ca. 1351 – 1 August 1409) was a Polish princess member of the Piast dynasty in the Legnica branch and by marriage Duchess of Żagań.

She was the fourth child and only daughter of Wenceslaus I, Duke of Legnica, by his wife Anna, daughter of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn.

Life

Hedwig married on 10 February 1372 to Henry VI the Older, Duke of Głogów-Żagań. The union was complete unhappy; after the premature death of their only daughter, the Ducal couple became formally separated: Hedwig remained in Żagań and Henry VI moved to Krosno Odrzańskie, where he died on 5 December 1393.

Despite the many years of estrangement, in his will Henry VI leave to his wife all his lands -who included the towns Żagań, Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin- as her Oprawa wdowia. Hedwig ruled that lands until 1403, when she renounced to the effective government over them on behalf of Henry VI's nephews.

References

Preceded by
Henry VI the Older
Duke of Żagań
Oprawa wdowia

1393–1403
Succeeded by
Jan I
Henry IX the Older
Henry X Rumpold
Wenceslaus