Henry VIII the Sparrow

Henry VIII the Sparrow
Seal of Henry VIII the Sparrow
Spouse(s)	Katharina of Opole
Noble family	House of Piast
Father	Henry V of Iron
Mother	Anna of Płock
Born	c.  1357
Died	14 March 1397(1397-03-14) Szprotawa

Henry VIII (VI) the Sparrow (Polish: Henryk VIII Wróbel) (c.  1357 – 14 March 1397) was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378 (as a co-ruler with his brothers), from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Kożuchów, Przemków and Sulechów, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański.

He was the second son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań–Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock. The origin of his nickname "Sparrow" (Wróbel) is unknown.

After his father's death in 1369 Henry VIII ruled the Duchy of Żagań-Głogów jointly with his older brothers Henry VI and Henry VII Rumpold. However, he only could took the full power over the government only after the division of the Duchy between him and his brothers in 1378. Henry VIII received the towns of Kożuchów, Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Sława, Nowe Miasteczko and Przemków. In 1382 Duke Władysław of Opole gave his daughter Katharina to Henry VIII in marriage. The couple received the government of the Opole cities of Prudnik and Głogówek as dowry. However, later Henry VIII had to give up Głogówek to his father-in-law's widow Euphemia of Masovia as her Oprawa wdowia and he only could retain Prudnik. In 1393 Henry VIII acquired the rights of succession over the Duchy of Żagań after the death of his older brother Henry VI, but he only could take possession over after the death of his sister-in-law (Henry VI's widow) Hedwig of Legnica, because in the late Duke's will she received his lands as her Oprawa wdowia (at the end, Henry VIII never received Żagań for his early death; his sons inherited the Duchy after Hedwig's resignation in 1403). Two years later, in 1395, Henry VIII took possession over Głogów after the death of his brother Henry VII Rumpold without issue.