Hedwig of Legnica

Hedwig of Legnica
Duchess of Żagań
Husband Henry VI the Older, Duke of Głogów-Żagań
Noble family Piast dynasty
Father Wenceslaus I, Duke of Legnica
Mother Anna of Legnica, daughter of Casimir I, Duke of Cieszyn
Born c. 1351
Poland
Died 1409

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

She was the fourth child and only daughter of Wenceslaus I, Duke of Legnica and 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. Their union was an unhappy one; 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 their many years of estrangement, in his will Henry VI left all his lands to Hedwig as her Oprawa wdowia, these included the towns of: Żagań, Krosno Odrzańskie and Świebodzin. Hedwig ruled over the lands until 1403, when she renounced her 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