Agnes of Bohemia, Duchess of Jawor

Family

Her father's previous marriage to Judith of Habsburg had produced four surviving children, Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, Anna of Bohemia, Elisabeth of Bohemia and Margaret of Bohemia. Her father, Wenceslaus II, died just six days after her birth, on 21 June 1305, in Prague. His heir Wenceslaus III was assassinated one year later, in Olomouc, and with him the Přemyslid dynasty became extinct.

Agnes' mother, Elisabeth Richeza, subsequently married Rudolf I of Bohemia, son of Albert I of Germany, on 16 October 1306. Rudolph was chosen to be King of Bohemia by part of Czech nobility and Elisabeth remained queen consort for a short time. Rudolph died of dysentery on 4 July 1307, after becoming ill during the siege of the fortress of one of the revolting noblemen, Bavor III of Strakonice. In his last will, Rudolph acknowledged Elizabeth Richeza's dowry towns and bequeathed her a huge amount of money in silver talents.

Marriage

Elisabeth arranged for Agnes to marry Henry I of Jawor. The wedding took place in 1316; however, because the two were related in the fourth degree of kinship, a papal dispensation was required. It was granted in 1325. Agnes' brother-in-law, King John of Bohemia, opposed the marriage, which would make Henry a powerful rival, along with Bolesław III the Generous, the husband of Margaret of Bohemia, a half-sister of Agnes.

Shortly after the wedding and, with the consent of Elisabeth, Henry I went with his troops to her dowry town, Hradec Králové in North Bohemia, where he organised expeditions to support rebels against King John of Bohemia.

Agnes had only one pregnancy, which ended in a miscarriage, in the first trimester when she rode with her horse over a hill. This accident kept her in bed for many months.

Agnes outlived her mother, who died in October 1335, but died shortly after, before 4 January 1337.