Bogislaw VIII, Duke of Pomerania

Bogislaw VIII (c. 1364 – 11 February 1418)^[1] was Duke of Pomerania in Pomerania-Stolp from 1395 until 1418.

The reign of Bogislaw was influenced by the contemporary Polish-Teutonic Wars between his eastern neighbors, Poland and Teutonic Prussia. The Pomeranian dukes, whose territory was the only land route to Teutonic Prussia not controlled by Poland, exploited this conflict by frequently changing sides. Late in 1388, the dukes of Pomerania-Stolp left an alliance and sided with Poland, who had promised to partially respect their claims as Casimir III's heirs.^[2] Thence, the nobles of Pomerania-Stolp robbed the Teutonic knights and their supply routes, provoking a counter-attack that destroyed many noble strongholds and the fortifications of Köslin (now Koszalin).^[2] Bogislaw VIII, Barnim V and Wartislaw VII reacted by siding with Polish king Jogaila and negotiating mutual trade alleviations.^[2]

When their brother Wartislaw VII died in 1395, Bogislaw and Barnim V settled a treaty with Teutonic Prussia in neighboring Pomerelia, which was in conflict with Poland, to safeguard their supply routes in return for financial credit.^[2] Swantibor III and Bogislaw VII of Pomerania-Stettin changed sides in 1395 and allied with the knights in return for economic aid.^[2] However, in 1397 Barnim concluded an alliance with Poland, married Vytautas' niece Hedwig and entered into Jogaila's service in 1401 until he died in 1402 or 1404.^[2] Bogislaw also entered into Jogaila's service, but changed sides in 1407/08, when he allied with the Teutonic Knights and settled their common border.^[2] When the knights lost the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410, Bogislaw changed sides again and allied with Poland^[2] in return for the Bütow, Schlochau, Preußisch-Friedland, Baldenburg, Hammerstein and Schivelbein areas, which Poland had gained from Teutonic Prussia before.^[3] This was cancelled by the First Peace of Thorn in 1411.^[3]

While Bogislaw upheld his alliance with Jogaila, Konrad Bonow of the Cammin diocese in 1414 established an alliance with the Teutonic Knights against both Bogislaw and Jogaila, which was turned into a truce soon after.^[3] In 1417, Bogislaw and the Teutonic knights settled their common border in the Hammerstein area, ending their conflicts.^[3] Bogislaw's son Bogislaw IX, together with all the other Pomeranian dukes, in 1423 allied with the Teutonic Knights.^[3]

Family

He married Sophie of Holstein, the daughter of Henry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg. Bogislaw had two children, Bogislaw IX and Adelheid of Pomerania (1410–after 1444/45) who married Bernard II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg in 1429.

Ancestors

See also

• Pomerania during the Late Middle Ages
• Partitions of the Duchy of Pomerania
• House of Pomerania

References