He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.
Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of Opole-Racibórz by his father, despite the fact that he was the third child. After Duke Władysław's death in 1282, Bolko I and his brother Casimir inherited Opole as co-rulers, while his other two brothers, Mieszko I and Przemysław inherited Racibórz also as co-rulers.
The common rule between Bolko I and Casimir lasted two years, until 1284, when the formal division was made of their domains. Bolko I retained the main city of Opole and Casimir received Bytom.
Bolko I was known mainly for his extraordinary generosity to the Church. In particular, he supported the Cistercian monastery in Jemielnica, and the Franciscan Church, where he built the chapel of St. Anna. He also made the economic development of his Duchy after granted to many localities German laws (Magdeburg Law).
Bolko I died on 14 May 1313 and was buried in the Franciscan church in Opole.
By 1280, Bolko I married a certain Agnes (d. by 1301), whose origins are unknown. According to some sources, she was probably the daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg. They had three sons:
Bolesław the Elder (b. ca. 1293 – d. by 1365).
Bolko II (b. bef. 1300 – d. 21 June 1356).
Albert (b. aft. 1300 – d. by 25 September 1375).
On the other hand, the Obituary of the Church of St. Vincent in Wrocław showed the existence of a certain "Grzymisława, Duchess of Opole" (Grimizlaua ducissa Opuliensis) who was buried there around 13 September 1286. Her parentage is also unknown, but her name suggests a Russian origin, probably member of the Rurikids. Her title suggests that she maybe was the first wife of Bolko I, or maybe the wife of Mieszko I of Cieszyn, Bolko I's older brother, or even a different personDuke of Opole. He married Agnieszka or Agnes in 1280.
He was the third son of Władysław, Duke of Opole-Racibórz, by his wife Euphemia, daughter of Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland.
Around 1277 Bolko I was named co-ruler of the Duchy of Opole-Racibórz by his father, despite the fact that he was the third child. After Duke Władysław's death in 1282, Bolko I and his brother Casimir inherited Opole as co-rulers, while his other two brothers, Mieszko I and Przemysław inherited Racibórz also as co-rulers.
The common rule between Bolko I and Casimir lasted two years, until 1284, when the formal division was made of their domains. Bolko I retained the main city of Opole and Casimir received Bytom.
Bolko I was known mainly for his extraordinary generosity to the Church. In particular, he supported the Cistercian monastery in Jemielnica, and the Franciscan Church, where he built the chapel of St. Anna. He also made the economic development of his Duchy after granted to many localities German laws (Magdeburg Law).
Bolko I died on 14 May 1313 and was buried in the Franciscan church in Opole.
By 1280, Bolko I married a certain Agnes (d. by 1301), whose origins are unknown. According to some sources, she was probably the daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg. They had three sons:
Bolesław the Elder (b. ca. 1293 – d. by 1365).
Bolko II (b. bef. 1300 – d. 21 June 1356).
Albert (b. aft. 1300 – d. by 25 September 1375).
On the other hand, the Obituary of the Church of St. Vincent in Wrocław showed the existence of a certain "Grzymisława, Duchess of Opole" (Grimizlaua ducissa Opuliensis) who was buried there around 13 September 1286. Her parentage is also unknown, but her name suggests a Russian origin, probably member of the Rurikids. Her title suggests that she maybe was the first wife of Bolko I, or maybe the wife of Mieszko I of Cieszyn, Bolko I's older brother, or even a different personDuke of Opole. He married Agnieszka or Agnes in 1280.
Family Members
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