Worldwide
Guide to Women in Leadership
Female Heads of Poland
Substates
Also see
Poland
Heads of State and
Also
see Poland Ministers (At the time many of the
Principalities were part of the German Empire)
From 1163 to 1639, Lower Silesia experienced 56 separate acts of partition
involving some 27 different districts.
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D E
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H I
J K
L M
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P Q
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T U
V W
B
Bierutów and Oleśnica (Bierutov and Olesnica)(Bernstadt and Oels) (Principality in Slesia)
1471-75
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Małgorzata
Widow of
Duke Konrad IX of Bierutów and Olsnica, and held the duchy as her dowry. Her
daughter, Barbara was Duchess from 1475.
1586-95
Reigning Dowager Duchess Barbara
of Brandenburg
Also known as
Brandenburska,
she was
the wife of Duke
Georg von Brieg (Jerzy II of Brzeg).
Brieg
and Ohlau (Brzeg-Olawa)
(Principality in Slesia)
1352-58
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Katharina Subić of Brzeg-Oława
Also known as Katarzyna Subić,
she held the duchy as her dowry after the death of her husband,
Bolesław
III of Liegnitz in Slesia. She was daughter of
croatian ban Mladen II. She (d.
1358).
Lubin
1358-62
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Agnethe von
Sagan
Also
known as Agnieszka,
she
was daughter of Duke Henryk II Wierny of Żagań and Matylda from Bavaria.
Her first
husband, Duke Leszek of Racibórz died in 1336,
and between
1341 and 1345
she married Duke Ludwig
von Brieg (Ludwik I of Brzeg),
who gave her half of his land and cities as her dowry in
1358.
With Ludwig she had 6 children: Henryk z Blizna, Wacław, Małgorzata, Jadwiga,
Katarzyna and another daughter.
She lived
(1312/1321-1362)
1354/5-57
De-facto
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Małgorzata Morawska in Bytom
After
the death of her husband,
Bolesław of Bytom,
she held the Duchy as her dowry, though her reign was desputed.
Also known as Margaret of Moravia, she
was daughter of Johan
von Sternberk.
1267-75
Regent Dowager Duchess
Euphrosine von
Opplen
1267-75 Regent of
Kujawy-Łęczyca.
Also known as
Eufrozyna Opolska,
After the death of her husband,
Duke Kazimierz of Kujawy, she
became regent for her three sons: Władysław I Łokietek (since 1320 king of
Poland), Siemowit and Kazimierz.
1275 she married Duke Mściwój
II of Pomorze Gdańskie
- they
divorced
in 1288).
She was the daughter of Wiola
and Duke
Kasimir von
Ratibor-Opplen (Kazimierz
of
Racibórz-Opole).
and lived (1228/30-1292/94).
1312-around1316
Regent
Dowager
Duchess Anastazja
of Lalicz Galicia-Lvov Glogaw (Głogów) 1332-34
Duchess Regnant Konstancja z Świdnica of Stary Sącz
1334-39 Duchess Regnant Jadwiga Kaliska of Stary
Sącz
After the death of her husband, Duke
Siemowit, she
became
regent for her sons.
She was daughter
of Prince
Lew of Halicz.
1323-41 Heiress Maria
In 1323 her brother's Andrei of Galicia and Volynia and Lev II of Lutsk were
killed, and she and her niece, Eufemia, Heiress of Volynia-Lutsk, inherited the
lands. She was daughter of King Yuriy I of Galicia (1252-1301-08) and his second
wife, Eufemia of Kujavia (d.1308), and was married to Prince Trojden I of Masovia (d. 1341).
Her grandfather, Lev, had been king of Galicia 1269-1301 and he moved his
capital from Galich (Halicz) to the newly-founded city of Lvov/Lwow (Lemberg).
She lived (before-1293-1341).
1360-61/63 Duchess Regnant
of Głogów
Very Politically Influential during the reign of her father, Prince
Przemko of Żagań, Ścinawa, Poznań and Głogów (ca.
1308-31), but afte his death King Jan de Luxembourg of Bohemia invaded the
Duchy. She lived with grandparents king Władysław I Łokietek and Queen
Jadwiga Kaliska of Poland in Krakow, until she handed over the Duchy of
Stary Sącz to her grandmother and entered the convent of St. Clare and Abbes
of Stary Sącz from 1350 until king Karl IV of Bohemia gave her Glogau back
10 years later.
She was daughter of Duke Bernard of Świdnica
and Kunegunda of Poland and lived (ca. 1309-61/63)
Her granddaughter, Konstancja z Świdnica, handed over the Duchy to her when
she enterede the convent of St. Claire. She was politically influential
during the reign of her husband,
Władysław I Łokietek and her son Kazimierz II, from 1320. She lived
(1266-1339).
Glogau and Sagan
(Głogów i Żagań (Glogow and Zagan)
1309-12 Regent Dowager Duchess Mecthild of Braunschweig-Lüneburg
Also known as
Matylda
Brunszwicka,
she was regent for
her sons by
Henryk I
(III) of Głogów:
Primko,
Henryk IV,
Konrad, Jan and Bolesław.
The
daughter of
Duke Albrecht of Braunschweig-Lüneburg,
she was also mother of four daughters
Agnieszka,
Katarzyna, Jadwiga and Salomea.
(d. 1318).
1444-60
Co-Ruler
Duchess Margaret
Cilly
of Schlesien-Teschen-Gross-Glogau
1460-76
Titular Duchess of
Głogów and Żagań
Also known
as
Małgorzata Cyllejska,
and after the death of her husband,
Władysław of
Głogów and Cieszyn,
she formally held Glogau and Sagan as her dowry until she was deposed and the
principality was incoroprated into
Schlesien-Teschen-Freistadt.
Daughter
of count Herman III of Cilly.
(d.
1480).
1476 De-Facto
Ruler Duchess Regnant Barbara von Brandenburg
1476-1510 Reigning Lady in Züllichau und Crossen
Her first husband, Heinrich XI
Glogau and Krossen (Głogów and Krosno) died in February,and in
August she married per procura Władysław II Jagiellończyk of Bohemia and
Hungary and the duchy was incorporated into crown of St. Wenzel. She was
daughter of Elector Albrecht Achilles von Brandenburg, and lived
(1464-1515).
Gostynin (Principality in the Moravian Duchy of Rawa ()
1442-59
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Margaretha von
Ratibor
Also known as
Małgorzata Raciborska, she held the duchy as her dowry,
after the death of her husband.
Hainau (Chojnów) (Principality in Slesia)
1570-81
Reigning
Dowager Duchess
Katharina von Mecklenburg
In 1538
she was married to Duke
Friederich
III
von Liegnitz and held the Duchy as her
dowry. Also known as Katarzyna
Meklemburska, she was
daughter of
Duke
Heinrich
V
von Mecklenburg
and Helena von der Pfalz,
mother
of sons and 3 daughters,
and lived (1518-81).
1596-1616
Reigning
Dowager Duchess
Anna
von
Württemberg
Also known as
Anna
Wirtemberska,
and she held the Duchy as her dowry
after the death of her first
husband,
Duke
Jan Jerzy of Oława
(Johann Geog von Ohlau, Lüben and Wohlau).
In 1594 she was
married (as the third wife) to Duke
Friederich IV von Liegnitz (Fryderyk
of Legnica).
She was
daughter of Duke Christopher von Württemberg and markgräfin
Anna Maria von Brandenburg-Bayreuth,
mother of two children, and lived (1561-1616).
Hainau-Lüben (Chojnów-Regnant) (Chojnow-Regnant)
(Principality in Slesia)
1453-66 Regent Dowager
Duchess Hedwig von Liegnitz
J Town and Domain of Jarosław
1581-1606 Joint Reigning Princess Katarzyna Sieniawska of Jarosław
1706-29 Reigning Princess Marianna Lubomirska of Jaroslaw
and Ostróg
Also known as Jadwiga Legnicka, she was the
youngest daughter of Duke Ludwik II of Legnica-Brzeg and
Elżbieta von Brandenburg (ruler of Legnica-Brzeg in 1436-38). In 1445 she
married Duke Jan of Chojnów-Regnant. In 1446 she gave birth her only son,
Duke
Friederich (Fryderyk). Her husband died in 1453 and she became
regent. She lived
(ca. 1430-1471).
The Town was established by an Ukrainian prince in
the 11th century. In the Great Northern War of 1700-21 the region was repeatedly
pillaged by Russian, Saxon and Swedish armies, causing the city to decline
further and it was under Austrian rule from the First Partition of Poland in
1772 until Poland regained independence in 1918.
1545-80 Reigning Princess Zofia ze Sprowy Odrowąż of Jarosław
Married to hetman John Christopher Tarnowski (1555-1567)
and from 1575 to castellan John Kostka, and lived (1540-80).
1581-1625 Joint Reigning Princess Anna Ostrogska of Jarosław
The daughter of Zofia ze Sprowy and her first husband, she
was married to Alexander Ostrogski at the age of 19 and they settled in Jaroslaw
and in 1606 she bought the half of the town owned by her sister, Katarzyna
Sieniawska the second half of the city. She died after a lengthy illness after
having lived (1575-1635/36)
1635-42 Joint Reigning Princess Katarzyna
z Ostrogskich
Zamoyska of
Jarosław and Ostróg
She and her 3 sons inherited the town and domains jointly
with her sister, Anna Alojza Chodkiewicz. She (d. 1642).
1635-54 Joint Reigning Princess Anna Alojza
z Ostrogskich Chodkiewicz
of Jarosław and Ostróg
When her mother, Anna Ostrogska died, she inherited the
town and domains jointly with her sister, Katarzyna Zamoyska and her 3 sons,
since their father, Alexander, had died in 1603. But it was her who was the
actual ruler of the area. At the age of 20 she had been married to the
60-year-old Lithuanian Jan Karol Chodkiewicz who died within a year
and never remarried. She lived a highly ascetic life and lived (1600-54).
Daughter of Prince Jozef Karol, Great Crown Marshal of Poland, (1661-1702) and
Princess Teofila Ludwika Zaslawska (d. 1709) and married to Prince Pawel
Karol Sanguszko-Lubartowicz (1682-1750), she had no
children and lived (1693-1729).
1729-31 Reigning Princess Maria Zofia Czartoryska Sieniawska of Jarosław,
Bukaczowce, Brzeżany, Jarosław, Oleszyce and Sieniawa (Red Ruthenia) Krzeszowice,
Międzyrzec Podlaski and Puławy (Little Poland), Granów, Międzyburz, Mikołajów,
Stara Sieniawa and Zinkowice (Podolia), Klewań and Żuków (Volhynia) and Stołpce,
Szkłów and Wołożyn (Lithuania)
After the death of her husband, the Lithuanian magnate and
Marshal of the Sejm, Stanislaw Denhof, she became in possession of his wast
domains and estates until her marriage to Prince Alexander Augustus Czartoryski,
a Russian Duke and Major-General. She was the daughter of Adam Nicholas
Sieniawski and Elizabeth Sieniawska and her baptism was held by Peter I the
Great, King Augustus the Strong II and Prince Rakoczy in the presence of 15
thousand soldiers. She lived (1699-1777)
1287-1294
Regent Duchess Salomea Pomorska
She was
widow of
Duke
Siemomysł of Inowrocław in 1268. Daughter of Duke Sambor II of Tczew
and
mother of 6 children.
(d.
1312/14).
1452-62 Regent
Dowager
Duchess
Barbara Rochemberg
She was
widow of Duke
Mikołaj III. She was also regent in Pszczyna.
1267-75 Regent Dowager Duchess Eufrozyna
After 10 years of marriage to Duke Kazimierz of Kujawy
she became regent for her three sons: Władysław I Łokietek (since
1320 king of Poland), Siemowit and Kazimierz.
In
1275 she married
Duke Mściwój II of Pomorze Gdańskie (divorce in 1288).
The
daughter of
Duke Kazimierz
of
Racibórz-Opole and his wife
Wiola, and lived (1228/30-1292/94).
Liegnitz and Brieg (Legnica-Brzeg) (Principality in Slesia - Herzog von Schlesien in Liegnitz)
1296-1303 Politically
Influential Duchess
Elisabeth
von Liegnitz (Wrocław and Legnica)
The daughter of Duke Bolesław the Devout of Małopolska and Princess
Helena/Jolenta
of Hungary After the death of her husband, Hendryk, she was involved in the
governing of the state during the reign of her oldest son Mother of 8 children.
In 1303 she moved to Bohemia and lived (1261/63-1304).
1436-38/39
Reigning
Dowager Duchess
Elisabeth von Brandenburg of Brzeg and
Legnica
1453-66 Regent
Also known as
Elżbieta
Hohenzollern.
After the death of her husband, Ludwik II of Brzeg and Legnica, she ruled in her own
name until she married her brother-in-law, Wacław I 1438/39,
but the marriage ended in divorce.
Later regent for son. She was daughter of Duke
Friedrich I
von Brandenburg and mother of four children, and lived
(1403-49).
1488-1498
Regent Duchess Ludmiła z Podiebradu
1488-1503
Reigning Dowager Duchess
in Brzeg
Also
known as Ludmilla
Podiebrad. After the
death of her husband, Friederich I von Brieg und Liegnitz, she was first regent
for her sons;
Jan, Fryderyk
II and Jerzy,
and then held Brzeg as her dowry.
She was daughter of king
Georg
Podebrad of Bohemia.
(d. 1503).
1602-05
Regent
Dowager
Duchess Anna Maria
von Anhalt
1602-05
Reigning
Dowager Duchess
in Oława (Ohlau)
Also known as Anna Maria
Anhalcka. After the
death of her husband, Joachim Friederich von Liegnitz und Brieg, she was regent
for son and at the same time held Ohlau as her dowry. She
was daughter of
Duke Joachim Ernest of Anhalt and Agnieszka von Barby,
mother of
6 children,
and lived (1561-1605).
1672-80
Regent
Dowager
Duchess
Louise
von Anhalt-Dessau
1672-80
Reigning
Dowager Duchess
in Oława and Wołów
(Ohlau)
Also known as
Ludwika
Anhalcka.
After
the death of her husband, Christian
of Wołów
(1664-72), who inherited Legnica and Brzeg from his older brothers, she became
regent for their son, Jerzy Wilhelm (1660-75). With him the line of the Dukes of
Legnica, Brzeg and Wołów died out. In his will he asked Emperor Leopold I to
allow the inhabitants of his lands the freedom of confession. Ludwika built the
grave chapel of the line of the Princely family of Legnica in the Choir of the
Church of St. Johannes.
She was daughter of
Duke Johan
Kasimir von Anhalt-Dessau and
Agnethe von Hessen-Kassell, and
lived
(1631-80).
1824-72 Titular Princess
Auguste von Harrach
After her marriage to King Friedrich Wilhelm III
of Preussia she was Appointed titular Princess of Liegnitz and Countess of
Hohenzollern. She did not seek any form of political influence and lived
(1800-73).
Lüben (Lubin)
(Principality in Slesia)
1441-54
Margaret of Opole
Reigned after Ludwik III of Lubin
1521-50
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Anna von Pommeren
Also known as Anna Pomorska. After the death of her husband, Georg I von Brieg
(Jerzy of
Brzeg) (1495-1521), she was given the
Principality as her dowry. She was daugther of Duke
Bogislaw X, and lived (142-1550).
Mazowsze (Masovia)
1262–Ca. 1270 Regent Dowager
Duchess
Perejasława Halicka
1270 –76/79 Co-Ruler
After
the death of her husband Duke Siemowit I of Mazowsze, she was regent
for sons
Bolesław
II and Konrad II and afterwards joint ruler with them. She was daughter
of king Daniel of Halicz (in present day Ukraine). (d.
1283).
1454-62
Regent
Dowager
Duchess Barbara
After the
death of her son
Duke
Bolesław IV.,
she run the government in the name of her sons.
1503-18 Regent Dowager Duchess Anna Radziwiłłówna
After the death of her husband, Konrad III Rudy of the Masovian Piast Dynasty in
1497, she was regent for her sons Stanisław and Janusz III. Her daughter was
Anna, who ruled in Mazowsze-Bełz in 1526-29. Daughter of the Lithuanian nobles
Mikalojus Radziwiłł the Old and Zofia Maria Monwind, and lived (1475-1522).
1455-62 Regent
Dowager
Duchess
Anna of Mazowsze
1455-1476
Reigning Dowager Duchess of Sochaczew,
1476-before 1491 Sovereign Duchess of Koło, Brdów, Bolimów, Mszczonów and Stare
Wikitki.
Daughter of Duke Konrad V Kantner of Oleśnica and Małgorzata. Since 1442/43
she was
married to
Władysław I of Mazowsze. After his death she was a
regent for her sons Siemowit VI and Władysław II. Both sons died in 1462. Anna
lived (1420/30-before 1481).
1526-29
Sovereign
Duchess
Anna of Mazowsze
She succeeded her father, Duke Konrad III. Daughter of Anna Radziwiłłówna,
she lived (1498/1500-after 1557).
1194-1203/05
Reigning Dowager Duchess Helena Znojemska
of
Bohemia
For Leszek (1194-1227). She was also regent of Poland Minor (Małopolska) and
Sandomierz. (d. 1206).
Mazowsze-Warszawa
1429- 36 Regent
Dowager Duchess Anna Kijowska of Mazowsze-Warszawa (Poland)
Also known as Anna Holszańska or Anne of Kiev, she was in charge of the
government in the name of her son Bolesław IV after the death of her husband,
Bolesław Januszowic of Masovia-Warsaw. She was daughter of Ivan Olshanski and
Agrypina, and mother of 2 sons and a daughter. (d. after 1458).
Around 1462 Regent Dowager Duchess Barbara
Ruska
The widow of
Bolesław
IV, she
reigned jountly with the bishop of Płokck.
Münsterberg (Ziębice)
(Principality in Slesia)
1358-70 Co-Ruler
Duchess Agnieszka von Lichtenburg
Agnes
von Lichtenburg
ruled
in
Münsterberg (Ziębice) with her son Bolesław after
the death of her husband,
Mikołajs death. Mother of 5 children.
(d.
1370).
1428-42
Sovereign Duchess
Euphemia
She was daughter of Boleslaw III of Münsterberg (1358-1410) and Euphemia of
Kosel, she inherited the Principality after the death of her brother, Duke Jan
(1380/90-1410-28). Married to Count Friedrich IV von Öttingen (d. 1423). She
lived (1370/85-47).
1647-86 Hereditary Duchess Elisabeth Marie of Münsterberg-Oels
1664-72 Regent of Württemberg-Oels
The only child and heir of
the Slesian Duke Karl Friedrich of Münsterberg-Oels, who died 1647, she was
married Silvius Nimrod von Württemberg (1622-64), and after her father's death,
he was granted the Duchy by emperor Ferdinand III and he founded the line of
Württemberg-Oels , the first Slesian line, and after his death, she was regent
for two sons, Silvius Friederich (1651-97) and Christian Ulrich (1652-1702), who
were declared prematurely of age by the Emperor against her protests.
She lived (1625-86).
Nowogród Bobrzański (Nowogrod Bobrzaski) (Naumburg am Bober) (Principality in Slesia)
1439-61 Duchess
Scholastika
von
Sachsen
Also known
as Scholastyka
Wettin,
she held
the Duchy as her dowry after the death of her husband,
Duke
Johan von Sagan (Jan I of Żagań).
Oleśnica (Olsnica) (Oels)
1475-78 Duchess
Barbara von
Ohlau
Also known as Barbara
Oleśnicka,
s
he was daughter of Duke Konrad IX and Małgorzata.
Oppeln (Opole)
1251-87
Politically Influential
Duchess Eufemia
Since 1251 she politically active during reign of her husband Duke Władysław
I of Opole. The daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Małopolska and Jadwiga,
she was mother of 5 children, and lived (1239-87).
1401-1420
Reigning Dowager Duchess
Eufemia Mazowiecka
Wife of Duke Władysław Opolczyk.
She lived
(1352-1418/24)
1442-76
Politically Influential
Duchess
Magdalena
1474 Regent
Very influential during the reign of her husband Mikołaj I, and in 1474 she
acted as regent for him. She lived (1426/30-1497).
1230–31
Regent
Dowager Duchess
Wiola
1233/34–38 Co-Regent
After the death of her husband, Kazimierz she was regent for sons Mieszko II and
Władysław, from 1233/34 jointly with Henryk I Brodaty. Born in Bulgaria (d.
1251)
1251-87
Politically Influential Duchess Eufemia
Politically
active during reign of her husband Duke Władysław I of Opole.
Daughter
of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Małopolska and Jadwiga, she was mother of 5
children, and lived (1239-87).
1321/4-1325
Co-ruler Duchess
Eufrozyna Mazowiecka
After the
death of her husband, Duke
Władysław of Cieszyn and Oświęcim,
she ruled jointly with her son
Jan I Scholastyk. She was daughter of Duke Bolesław II of Mazowsze and
Kunegunda,
and
lived (1292-1329).
Parchwitz (Principality in Slesia)
1663-66 Dowager Reigning Duchess Anna Sophie von Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Widow of Ludwig IV. in Liegnitz and daughter of Duke Johann Albert II. zu
Mecklenburg-Güstrow. (d. 1666).
Pileckich and Łańcut (Pileckich and Lancut)
1384-1420 Lady Elżbieta Granowska z Pileckic
Also known as Elisabeth of Pilica, she in herited the vast estates of her father,
Otto of Pilica, Voivode of Sandomierz. Apparently married to Wiseł Czambor,
Jańczyk Jańczykowicz Hińczyński and Wincenty Granowski and had several chilren
with the last, before her marriage to king Władysław Jagiełło of Poland and
Lithuania in 1417. Three years later she fell ill with symptoms of tuberculosis,
and died in 1420 in Kracow. She lived (ca. 1382-1420).
Płock (Plock) (Principality in the Masovian Duchy)
1455-81 Reigning Dowager Duchess
Anna Oleśnicka
of Sochaczew, Koło and Mszczonów
After the death of her husband, Władysław, she held the lands as her dowry.
1533-77
Dowager Margarete von Brandenburg of the Office and Town of
Tribsees
Her husband, Duke Georg of Pommern, died in 1531 the year after their marriage
as his third wife, and she was granted Tribsee as the seat of her dowager
government (wittum) two years later. She was daugher of Elector Joachim von Brandenburg
and Elisabeth af Danmark and daughter of one daughter, and lived (1511-77).
Pommern-Barth-Rügen
1415-ca. 26 Regent Dowager Duchess Agnes von
Sachen-Lauenburg
One of her close advisors, Kurt Bonow, an old enemy of Stralsund, was killed,
probably in 1417, by a member of the Regency Council, Marschall Degner
Buggenhagen, who found refuge in Stralsund, but its inhabitants could not
prevent that Buggenhagen was killed by Heneke Behr and his followers at the
table of her husband's nephew, Duke Wartislaw IX of Pommern-Wolgast
on her initiation in 1420. Concequently the cities of Stralsund and Greifswald
to send troops to the Castle of Usedom, where Behr had sought refuge, he was
caught and punished. She was widow of Wartislaw VIII. von Pommern-Wolgast
(1373-1415) and mother of Barnim VIII, Duke of Pommern-Barth-Rügen (ca.
1405/07-51) and Swantibor IV (ca. 1408/10-32). Also mother of a daughter
and another son that died in infancy, and (d. 1435)
Pommern-Demmin
1219-21 Regent and Guardian Dowager Duchess Ingardis
af Danmark
After the death of her husband Kasimir II (ca. 1180-1219), she became regent
for her son Wartislaw III. As her sister-in-law Miroslawa took over the
government in Slawien the following year, the future of the Principalites of
Pommern were very insecure, but both Princesses managed to fend off claims to
the Duchies from Brandenburg and maintain the the independence of the
Principalities. Her son called himself "the issue of the blod of the Daneking"
at his seal, as she was the daughter of Knud III of Denmark (1128-46-79). Her
sister, Hildegard, was married to the Wendian duke Jarimar of Rügen.
Originally known as Ingegerd, she (d. 1236).
Pommern-Gdansk (Pomorze Gdańskie) (Pomorze Gdanskie)
1220-90
Politically
Influential
Princess Witosława
She was excellent diplomat and political advisor of her brother,
Prince
Świętopełk II Wielki (the Great). She was
Abbes
of a
Norbertine (Premonstratensian)
nunnery in Żuków,
and
lived (1205-1290)
Pommern-Rügenwalde
1465-97 De-Facto Reigning Duchess Sophia von Hinterpommern of Rügenwalde in
Pommern
She left her husband, Erich II of Pommern-Wolgast, Hinterpommern and Stettin
(1425-74) and moved with her children to the Duchy of Rügenwalde alone only with
the aid of her Lord-Chancellor Lord Ritter Johann von Massow. In 1459 Erich I
had died and left the Duchy of Hinterpommern without heirs. Sophia and Erich II
hurried there because she saw herself as the sole heir, but the following year a
war of succession broke out with various other pretenders. She remained in her
lands until her death. She was daughter of Bogislaw IX von Hinterpommern and
Sophie von Schleswig-Holstein. She lived (1435-97).
Pommern-Slawien
1187-1194/98 Regent Dowager Duchess Anastazja of
Poland
Following the death of her husband, Duke Bogislav von Pommern (Bogusław I of
Pomorze), she was regent for her sons Bogislaw II and Kasimir II jointly with
with Wartislaw II as joint guardian, who sought to have the fief renewed by King
Knud of Denmark but also made ties with the German rulers. As it came to a riot
against the Danish rule, Knud made a raid to Slawien and replaced Wartislaw with
Prince Jaromar von Rügen, whose power she tried to curb. After her son came of
age she continued to be active, granting lands to convents etc. She might have
taken over as Guardian after her daugther-in-law, Miroslawa died in 1233
leaving her son,
Barnim I.
(1219-20-78), who was still a minor. Also known as Anastasia, she was daughter of Mieszko III Stary Duke of Wielkopolska and Princess Eudoksja of Russia After
1198 she was still politically active, and lived (before 1164-after 1240).
1220-33 (†) Regent and Guardian Dowager
Duchess Miroslawa von Pommeralia
After the death of her husband, Bogislaw II. (ca. 1178-871220), she became
regent for her son, Barnim I.
(1219-20-78). The year before her sister-in-law had taken over the regency in Demmin
and both princesses continued the friendly ties to Denmark, and at a Landtag
at Ückermünde that Miroslawa and Barnim I.
called in 1223 representatives of the Danish King participated. But in
spite of this the don't seem to have done anything to help Valdemar II as he
was attacked by Count Heinrich
von Schwerin later in 1223 at the island of Lyø and imprisoned in Germany
together with his sons. He only freed in 1225 after having given up his
Wendian possessions, except
Rügen, though he fought a war to get his Northgerman possessions back, that
ended with his defeat in 1227.
(d. 1233).
Pommern-Stargard (Pomerze-)
1418-ca.
33
Regent
Dowager Duchess
Sofia
von
Schleswig-Holstein
Also known as Zofia Holsztyńska, she reigned in the name of her son Bogusław IX.
Pommern-Stolp (Pomerze-Słupsk)
(Pomerze-Slupsk)
1446-49 Regent
Dowager Duchess Maria
of Poland
After
the death of her husband, Bogusław
IX, she was
regent during the
absence of his nephew, King Erik
VII
of Denmark and Sweden,
who had abdicated in 1438 and spend the years 1442-49 as a privateer in the
Baltic Seas, until he retired to Pomerania with his partner, Cecilia and lived
there until his death in 1459. He was succeeded by her daughter, Zofia.
Maria was the daughter of Duke of Mazowsze Siemowit IV and
Aleksandra
of Poland, a sister of king
Władysław II Jagiełło,
and
lived (1408/15-1454).
1459-74
Duchess Zofia
1474-83 Lady of Darłowo
She
left
her husband, Erich II of
Pommern-Wolgast, Hinterpommern
and
Stettin
(1425-74) and moved with her children to the Duchy of Rïgenwalde alone only with
the aid of her Lord-Chancellor Lord
Ritter Johann
von Massow.
In 1459 Erich I (ex-king of Denmark) had died and left the Duchy of Hinterpommern without heirs.
Sophia and Erik II hurried there because she saw herself as the sole heir, but
the following year a war of succession broke out with various other pretenders.
But she remained in her territories until her death. She was daughter of Bogusław
IX and Maria, who had been regent for Erik I of Pommerania (ex-king Erik VII of
Denmark). She lived (1435-97).
Pommern-Stettin
1368-71 Agnes
von Braunschweig-Lüneburg
After the death of her husband she took over the regency for her three sons; the
joint Dukes of Pommern-Stettin: Kasimir IV (ca. 1351-72), Swantibor I (ca.
1351-1413) and Bogislaw VII (ca. 1355-1404). She was Daugther of Heinrich
II. von Braunschweig-Grubenhagen and his first wife Jutta von
Brandenburg, and lived (1318-71).
1451-64
Regent Dowager Duchess
Elisabeth von
Brandenburg
Both her husband, Joachim and his cousin
Barnim VIII. von Pommern-Barth,
died of the plague, and she took over the regency for her son, Otto III
(1444-64) with her brother, Elector
Friedrich II. von Brandenburg as
co-guardian. In 1454, she married Duke Wartislaw X von Pommern-Rügen und Barth
(1435-78) and became mother of two more sons, who died of plague like their
older brother in 1564. She lived (1425-65).
1560-66 Joint Guardian Dowager Duchess Maria von Sachsen
After the
death of her husband, Philipp I Duke von Pommern-Wolgast (1515-31-60), Council
of Regency took over the government for her son, Johann Friedrich
(1542-60-1600). She was guardian for her sons who shared the inheritance of
another relative, who abdicated in 1569; Bogislaw XIII von Pommern-Barth/Neuenkamp
and later of Pommern-Stettin, Ernst Ludwig von Pommern-Wolgast, Barnim X von
Pommern-Rügenwalde und Bütow and Kasimir VI, who was Evangelican Bishop of
Cammin. She was also guardian for the daughters Amelia, Margaretha and Anna. The
Duchy was hit by The Seven Years War (1563-70), which demonstrated how powerless
the Duchy was. Lack of finances and of military power, forced it to remain
neutral and thereby it ended up as a "playball" between the foreign powers. Her
Johann Friederich received the Imperial confirmation of his fief (kaiserliche
Belehnung) at the Reichstag in Augsburg in 1566. She was daughter of Duke and
Elector Johann von Sachsen and Margareta von Anhalt, and lived (1516-83)
1600-23 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager
Duchess Erdmute von Brandenburg of the Administrative Office of Stolp and the
Office and Castle of Schmolsin
Her late husband, Johann Friedrich had become Bishop of Cammin at the age of 14
in 1557 and held the office until 1674, was Duke of Pommern_Wolgast under the
regency of his mother from 1560, and in 1569, he and his brother's devided the
Duchy of Pommern among them, and he recieved Stettin. He died 1600). They did
not have any children, she lived (1561-1623).
1610-16
Reigning Dowager Lady
Dowager
Duchess Anna
Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderborg-Plön of
the Office and Castle of
Neustettin
She married Bogislaw XIII (1544-1618), who was
Duke of
Pommern-Barth und Neuenkamp 1569-1603 and of Pommern-Stettin (1603-06) as
his second wife in 1601. Two of her sisters; Sophia and Elisabeth, married one
of his 11 children by his first wife, and she therby became their mother-in-law.
The marriages of all three sisters were childless. After Bogislaw's death, she
took over the government in her dowry and died on a journey from Sachsen to
Pommern, after having lived (1577-1616).
1618-58
Reigning Dowager Lady
Dowager Duchess
Sophia von
Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderborg-Plön of
Treptow an der Rega
After the death of her husband,
Philipp II, Duke of Pommern-Stettin
(1573-1606-18), she took over the government in her dowry. She was daughter of
Duke Johann von Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderborg and Elisabeth von
Braunschweig-Grubenhagen, who had a total of 23 children. Her sister, Anna, had
married Philipp's father,
Bogislaw
XIII (1544-1618) in 1601. Sophia's marriage was
childless, and she lived (1579-1658).
1620-35
Dowager Duchess Sophia von Sachsen of the Office of Wollin
She probably held Island and Administrative Unit as her dorwy after the death of her husband, Franz von Pommern (1577-1606-20). As it was the case with all the last
Dukes of Pommern, their marriage was childless. She was daughter of Duke and
Elector Christian I. von Sachsen and
Sophia von Brandenburg, and lived (1587-1635).
1622-50 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess
Hedwig von Braunschweig-Lüneburg of the Office and Castle of Neustein
Her husband Philipp had taken over the Evangelical Bis
1622-60 Reigning Dowager Lady Anna von Pommern-Stettin of Stolp
2 years after the death of her husband, Duke Ernst de Croy et Aerschot, Margrave
of Havré, Count de Fonteney et Bayon, Lord de Dammertin et Finstingen, she moved
back to Pommeren where her brother, Duke Bogislaws XIV, granted her the tenantcy
of Stolp as her dorwy, but had to retreat to Rügenwalde, Stettin and Greifswald
during the Swedish-Polish war. She won a case at the Imperial Court that secured
her son, Ernst Bogislaw, was awarded his paternal inheritence, but the judgement
was never executed. When her brother died as the last male of the family, she
inherited his estates. Her son was named Bishop of Cammin, Governor in
Hinterpommern and Governor in Eastern Preussia. She was the 11th and last child
of Bogislaw XIII. von Pommern-Stettin and his wife Klara von
Braunschweig-Lüneburg, and lived (1590-1660).
1637-53 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager
Duchess Elisabeth von Schleswig-Hostein-Plön of The Castle and Administrative
Unit of
Rügenwalde
At the day of her marriage to Bogislaw XIV, who was the last Duke of
Pommern-Stettin (1620-25) and Duke of Pommern (1625-37) and Evangelican Bishop
of Cammin (1623-37) he transferred the Schloss and Amt (or Bezierk) von
Rügenwalde to her for life. Her husband was a weak ruler, intangled in the chaos
of the Thirty Years War. As his brothers and cousins died, he inherited all of
Pommern but the united duchies did not have an united administration. In 1633 he
suffered a stroke and until his death 4 years later, the Duchy was conducted by
a Council of Regency. Her sister, Anna, was the second wife of Bogislaw's father
and her sister, Sophia was the wife of her brother-in-law, Philipp II, and as
her sisters, she did not have any children. Elisabeth lived (1580-1653).
Pommern-Wolgast (Pomorze Nadodrzańskie) (Szczecińskie) (Nadodrzanske - Szczecinskie)
1278-1316 Reigning Dowager
Lady Mechthild von Brandenburg of her Dowry in Pommern-Wolgast
After the death of her husband, Barnim I (ca. 1218-29-78), she fought for years
with her stepson, Bogislaw IV, over her dowry and a partition of the Duchy in
favour of her sons. In 1295 the Estates forced him to give in, and he accepted a
partition and gave up Stettin-Greifenhagen in favour of her son, Otto I. She (d.
1316)
1326-46 Guardian Dowager Duchess
Elisabeth von Schweidnitz (Schlesien-Glogau)
Parts of the duchy was occupied by Mecklenburg after the death of her husband,
Wartislaw IV. von Pommern-Rügen. The areas of Barth, Grimmen and Loitz hailed
Heinrich II von Mecklenburg as their ruler. But Doch Stralsund, Greifswald, Anklam
and Demmin joined her and her and her sons: Barnim IV.of Pommern-Wolgast
(1325-26-65), Bogislaw IV of Pommern-Stolp (ca. 1326-26-74) and the posthumously
born Wartislaw V. Pommern-Stralsund (1326-26-90). King Valdemar of Denmark and
Count Graf Gerd von Holstein joined forces with the two other guardians; the
Dukes of Pommern-Stettin
Otto und Barnim, and in 1327 Heinrich von Mecklenburg had to flee, even though
the fighting continued another year. In the peace-agreement he handed back the
landscape of Rügen though some of the territory remained in his possession as a
security for the settlement. She was daughter of Duke Heinrich III. von Glogau
andMechthild von
Braunschweig-Grubenhagen, and lived (1290-1356).
1560 Head of the Regency Council Dowager Duchess
Maria von Sachen-Wettin
1574-83 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Pudagla
After the death of her husband. Philipp I von Pommern-Wohgast, she named a
Regency Council under Court Chamberlain Ulrich Schwerin for her 5 minor sons. It
was in office until 1569 when the sons returned from their education abroad.
1574 she was given the possessions of the former Convent of Pudagla-Grob, by her oldest son, Ernst Ludwig. She
lived (1516-83)
1577-1631 Regigning Lady Sophia Hedwig von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of the
Administrative Office of Darsim
1592-1631 Reigning Dowager Lady of the City of Loitz
Her husband, Duke Ernst Ludwig of Pommern-Wolgast (1545-69-92), handed over the
the village to her as her dowry. Her only son, Philipp Julius, was under the
guardianship of an uncle until 1603. Also mother of 2 daughters, and lived
(1561-1631).
Pszczyna
(part
of Racibórz-Karniów) (Raciborz-Karniow)
(Principality
in Slesia)
1424–ca. 1449 Sovereign Duchess Helena Korybutówna
The widow of Duke Jan II, she ruled together with Mikołaj III and Wacław.
Pszczyna was a part of Racibórz-Karniów.
1452-62 Regent Dowager Duchess Barbara Rochemberg
Widow
of Duke Mikołaj III,
and also
regent in Karniów-Rybnik.
Ratibor (Racibórz) (Raciborz) (Principality in Slesia)
1306-... Regent Dowager Duchess Anna Czerska
After the death of her husband, Duke Przemysław of Racibórz, she was regent for
their son Leszek. She was daughter of Duke Konrad II of Czersk and Jadwiga, and
lived (ca. 1270-1324)
1336-40 Sovereign Duchess Anna
After
the death
her brother,
Leszek,
the king of Bohemia
granted the
Duchy to her and her husband, prince Mikołaj II of Opawa.
She was a daughter of prince Przemysł of
Racibórz and Anna, and lived (ca. 1296-ca. 1340).
1361-1405 De facto Co-Ruler Duchess Anna
She was in effect joint ruler with her husband, prince Jan of Racibórz, and after his death in
1380/82,
she stayed in power as Co-ruler with her son Jan II.
Daughter of prince Henry V of Głogów-Żagań and Anna of Płock,
mother of 3 children,
and
lived (before 1350-after 1405).
1230–31 Regent
Dowager Duchess
Wiola
1233/34–38 Co-Regent
After
the death of her husband, Kazimierz, she was regent for sons Mieszko II and Władysław
and
from 1233/34 jointly with Henryk I Brodaty. Born in Bulgaria.
(d.
1251).
(Noble domain of) Rzeszów
1638 Temporary Administrator Konstancja Ligęza
In charge of the domain after the death of her father, Castellan Mikołaj Spytek
Ligęza until her marriage to Grand Marshal and Hetman Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski.
Her mother was Zofia Krasińska, the daughter of starost and voivod Stanisław
Krasiński, and she (d. 1648).
1761-83 Temporary Administrator Joanna von Stein zu Juttingen–Lubomirska
Administered the domain during the absence of her son, Franciszek Lubomirski.
After the death of her husband, Jerzy Ignacy Lubomirski (1687-1753) she had
become the favourite of minister Heinrich Bruehl. She joined the Bar
Confederation - the association of Polish nobles (szlachta) formed at the
fortress of Bar in Podolia in 1768 to defend the internal and external
independence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against aggression by the
Russian Empire and against King Stanisław August Poniatowski and Polish
reformers who were attempting to limit the power of the Commonwealth's magnates.
She lived (1723-1783).
1138-44
Politically Influential Duchess Dowager Salomea von Berg of Poland
1138-44 Sovereign Princess of Sieradz, Łęczyca and Sandomierz
After
the death of her husband
Prince
Bolesław III Krzywousty
of
Poland, she was politically active,
and she received
Sieradz, Łęczyca and Sandomierz as her dowry. She was
daughter
of the
German Count
Henry
von