Bolesà Âaw II of Cieszyn (, , ; c. 1425/28 â 4 October 1452), was a Duke of Cieszyn since 1431 (until 1442 with his brothers as co-rulers), ruler over half of Bielsko and Frysztat (from 1442), and during 1452 sole ruler over one half of Bytom.
He was the fourth and youngest son of Duke Bolesà Âaw I of Cieszyn by his second wife Euphemia, daughter of Duke Siemowit IV of Masovia.
After the death of his father in 1431, Bolesà Âaw II ruled over the duchy together with his brothers as co-rulers, but under the tutelage of their mother. After the division of the duchy on 29 November 1442, he still held the title of Duke of Cieszyn, but in practice ruled only over 16 towns and villages in Cieszyn; the most important of them was Frysztat, which was obtained by Bolesà Âaw II only after his mother's death in 1447 and shortly after, received broader city rights by Bolesà Âaw II. He left most of the control over the duchy to his brother Przemyslaus II.
Just like his brothers and father, also Bolesà Âaw II tried to be active in the international politics. Unlike his brother Wà Âadysà Âaw, who was allied with Bohemia, Bolesà Âaw II maintained close ties mainly with the Kingdom of Poland. In 1443 he supported Poland in his conflicts with Hungary, and in 1449 he was appointed judge in the disputes between King Casimir IV and the Bohemian nobility. However, Bolesà Âaw II's good relations with Poland didn't prevent the sale of the Duchy of Siewierz to Zbigniew Oleà Ânicki, Bishop of Kraków, which resulted in a war at Upper Silesia, who lasted until February 1447.
Bolesà Âaw II sought to obtain independent sovereignty, and therefore in 1452 he swapped with his brother Wenceslaus I the district of Bielsko for one half of Bytom, where he planned to settle. But his plans ended with his sudden death on 4 October 1452.
On 28 January 1448 Bolesà Âaw II married with Anna (d. aft. 12 February 1490), daughter of Ivan Vladimirovich, Prince of Bielsk (in turn grandson of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania) by his wife Vasilisa of Halshany (sister of Sophia, fourth and last wife of King Wà Âadysà Âaw II Jagieà Âà Âo). The union had the approval of Anna's cousin, King Casimir IV, who gave to the newlyweds a magnificent wedding gift: 2,000 florins. They had three children:
After the death of her husband, Anna cared about their son and daughters, and resided mainly in Frysztat.
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