Henry XI of Legnica

Henry XI of Legnica (Polish: Henryk XI Legnicki; Schloss Liegnitz, 23 February 1539 – Krakow, 3 March 1588), was a thrice Duke of Legnica: 1551-1556 (under regency), 1559–1576 and 1580-1581.

He was the eldest son of Frederick III, Duke of Legnica, by his wife Katharina, daughter of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

In 1551, Henry XI's father was removed from the government of Legnica by Emperor Charles V. The decision was dictated by the Emperor because of the behavior of Frederick III, who joined the coalition of Protestant rebels princes, and also supported the long-time enemy of the Habsburgs, King Henry II of France. Henry XI was chosen as the new Duke of Legnica, but because he was only twelve years old, regents were appointed from the Duchy, the Imperial governor, and Bishop of Wroclaw, Balthasar von Promnitz and George II the Pious, Duke of Brzeg (Frederick III's younger brother), in whose court Henry spent several years studying science. After the abdication of Emperor Charles V in 1556, Frederick III (after promising obedience and loyalty to the new Emperor Ferdinand I) regained the Duchy of Legnica.

On 27 October 1559 the Emperor Ferdinand I decided to remove Frederick again from government, this time for good. As Henry XI was already an adult, this time he took over the rule over Legnica without regents. Frederick III was placed under house arrest, where he was held for the next eleven years until his death on 15 December 1570.

Henry XI inherited his father's duchy, which was bankrupt, the debt being 80,000 talers. The new Duke, instead of gradually repaying the debt, increased it dramatically, leaving at the end of his reign a debt amounting to 700 000 talers.

As a Duke of Legnica, Henry XI tried to get refinance the debt. In 1567 he proposed them in exchange for 120 000 talers the Głogow Privilege, who garantized the freedom from the homage of the subjects who declared him his heir. However, the idea wasn't accepted. On 24 December 1571 Henry XI tried to induce his subjects to pay off his debts, offering against their own goods and valuables. Also declared their devotion in return for a fixed salary, ensuring that corresponding to his position on the social level. Given the failure of the proposals, Henry XI decided keep in captivity the representatives of the Legnica states until they signed an agreement to pay taxes for almost 66 000 talers. After regaining their freedom they fled to Vienna, where the representatives made to the Emperor Maximilian II a complaint against the Duke of Legnica. The Emperor appointed a special committee to look into this matter.

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