Bolesà Âaw I of Cieszyn (, , ) ( – 6 May 1431) was a Duke of half of Bytom and Siewierz from 1405, Duke of Cieszyn and half of both Gà Âogów and à Âcinawa from 1410, and Duke of Toszek and Strzelin during 1410âÂÂ1414.
He was the second son of Przemysà Âaw I Noszak, Duke of Cieszyn by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Bolesà Âaw, Duke of Koà ºle-Bytom. In the chronicle of Jan Dà Âugosz he is named the eldest son, but this is certainly a mistake, because elsewhere, Przemysà Âaw of Oà ÂwiÃÂcim was always placed before Bolesà Âaw.
In 1405 Bolesà Âaw's father entrusted him with direct rule over Bytom and Siewierz and the government of the Duchy of Cieszyn. A year later (1406), the murder of his brother Przemysà Âaw originated a break in relations between Bolesà Âaw and his father. Shortly after, Bolesà Âaw married Margareta, the sister of John II the Iron, Duke of Racibórz, who was the instigator of Przemysà Âaw's death. According to Jan Dà Âugosz, his father, Duke Przemysà Âaw I Noszak strongly opposed this union, and even threatened to disinherit Bolesà Âaw if he maintained contact with the Pà Âemyslid Dukes of Opava and Racibórz. The early death of Margareta shortly after the wedding contributed to the reconciliation between Bolesà Âaw and his father, which was formally signed on 7 September 1407.
After his father's death in 1410, Bolesà Âaw inherited Cieszyn, Toszek, Strzelin and half of both Gà Âogów and à Âcinawa. Also, he was named regent of the Duchy of Oà ÂwiÃÂcim on behalf of his nephew Casimir, only son of Bolesà Âaw's brother.
Bolesà Âaw's second marriage in 1412 to Euphemia (called also Ofka), daughter of Duke Siemowit IV of Masovia, was probably suggested by King Wà Âadysà Âaw II Jagieà Âà Âo of Poland (Euphemia's maternal uncle), who saw the opportunity to make close bonds between Upper Silesia and Kraków. However, Bolesà Âaw and Euphemia were related in the third degree of consanguinity, so a Papal dispensation was needed, which was granted on 27 January 1412. The wedding took place some months later, on 20 November.
His alliance with Jagieà Âà Âo quickly brought him results, as in 1414 Bolesà Âaw took an active part in the Polish-Teutonic War at the King's side. However, he didn't appear in the Congress of Wrocà Âaw in 1420, where King Sigismund of Bohemia (future Holy Roman Emperor), as a mediator between the Teutonic Order and the King of Poland, had issued an unfavorable ruling to the Polish King.
In 1414 Bolesà Âaw decided to transfer to his nephew Casimir full government over Oà ÂwiÃÂcim, Gliwice and Toszek. However, Casimir's ambitions erupted in a conflict between him and Bolesà Âaw, which ended two years later, on 11 November 1416, when (following the mediation of Duke Henry IX of Lubin), the Duke of Cieszyn give the town of Strzelin and 300 fines as payment to Casimir. Bolesà Âaw retained the rest of his lands.
Although the Duchy of Cieszyn was under the rule of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Bolesà Âaw didn't support the House of Luxembourg in its struggle for the Bohemian crown, but maintained good relations with Kraków and the Bohemian townspeople. In 1422, despite the Bohemian-Polish dispute, Bolesà Âaw was a guest at the court of King Wà Âadysà Âaw II Jagieà Âà Âo, and took part in the coronation of his wife, Queen Sophia of Halshany.
During the last years of his reign, Bolesà Âaw supported Bohemian side during the Hussite Wars, but didn't participate in the war itself.
In internal politics, he supported the development of the towns. He ceded several rights to some towns, for example Bytom (where in 1412 he give the right to inheritance to the burgers), Frýdek and Bielsko. This was also partly motivated by the lack of money in the duchies' budget.
Bolesà Âaw died on 6 May 1431 and was buried in the Dominican church in Cieszyn.
On 1 January 1406, Bolesà Âaw married firstly Margareta (b. 1380 â d. bef. 7 September 1407), daughter of Duke John I of Opava-Ratibor. They had no children.
On 20 November 1412, Bolesà Âaw married secondly Euphemia (Ofka) (b. 1395/98 â d. bef. 17 September 1447), daughter of Duke Siemowit IV of Masovia. They had five children:
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