Konrad VIII the Younger, was a Duke of Oleśnica, Koźle, half of Bytom and half of Ścinawa during 1416–1427 and sole Duke of half of Ścinawa since 1427 until his death.
Background
He was the fifth and youngest son of Konrad III the Old, Duke of Oleśnica, by his wife Judith. The modesty of his father"s legacy forced that, of the five sons of Konrad III, three decided to follow the ecclesiastic career. Konrad VIII was one of them.
Career
Choosing of the Church career
The Church, during the time of the political fragmentation of Poland and the enormous progeny of the Piast dynasty, was the easiest way to develop influence in the fate of Silesia, by obtaining the prestigious (and profitable) Church dignities, which Piast princes easily accepted. The oldest of the brothers, Konrad IV, was made Provost of Wroclaw, and since 1417 Bishop of Wroclaw, and other, Konrad VI, in 1414, was appointed Dean of the Wroclaw Chapter. The Teutonic Order
In 1416, Konrad VIII became in a Teutonic Knight.
Then, in exchange for a loan of 3,000 Prague groschens, Konrad IV, Konrad V Kantner and Konrad VII concluded with the Great Master of the Teutonic Order, Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg, an alliance against Poland and Lithuania.
Committed themselves to assist in the Order, if that was attacked by the army of King Wladyslaw II Jagiello of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Witold. Konrad VIII served as Prokurator of the Teutonic Order over Gardawa during 1425-1429 and over Lochstedt during 1429-1433.
The highest religious position exercised by him was the office of Provincial of the Teutonic Order in Bohemia and Moravia. Government in Silesia
Konrad VIII, despite the adoption of the religious state, didn"t give up his rights over the government of his Silesian lands.
After the death of Konrad VI in 1427, Konrad VIII took over the independent governments over Ścinawa and Rudna together with the surrounding areas.
Henceforth he began to use the style of Duke of Ścinawa.