Bernard of Świdnica was a Duke of Jawor-Lwówek-Świdnica-Ziębice during 1301–1312, of Świdnica-Ziębice during 1312–1322, and sole Duke of Świdnica since 1322 until his death.
Background
He was the second son of Bolko I the Strict, Duke of Jawor-Lwówek-Świdnica-Ziębice, by his wife Beatrix, daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel. Twenty-three months later (9 November 1301), the unexpected death of his father left Bernard as ruler of all his domains, together with his younger brothers Henry I and Bolko II as co-rulers.
Career
Bernard and Bolko II ruled together until 1322, when the second and final division of the Duchy was made: Bolko II received Ziębice and Bernard kept Świdnica. In foreign politics, Bernard became the guardian of the independence of his sovereignty against his powerful neighbors. Two years later, in 1310, Bernard"s marriage to Kunigunde, daughter of Władysław I the Elbow-high re-enforced his bonds with the Kingdom of Poland.
In 1311 Bernard took part in the negotiations in Olomouc as a mediator between Duke Bolesław III the Generous of Legnica and King John of Bohemia for the possession of the Duchy of Opawa (Troppau).
The dispute ended in a compromise: King John took the Duchy, but had to pay 8,000 fines to Bolesław III as compensation. The contact with the Duke of Legnica allowed him to retake Niemcza.
In the early years of the 1320s, Bernard was involved in an alliance with Władysław I the Elbow-high in a war against the Dukes of GłogóWest In the battle of Mühldorf of 1322, Bernard fought with King John and Louis IV, now King of Germany.
Bernard died on 6 May 1326 and was buried in Grüssau Abbey.
