Henry VIII the Sparrow was a Duke of Żagań–Głogów during 1368–1378, from 1378 ruler over Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Kożuchów, Przemków and Sulechów, and since 1395 ruler over half of Głogów, Ścinawa and Bytom Odrzański.
Background
He was the second son of Henry V of Iron, Duke of Żagań–Głogów, by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Wenceslaus of Płock. 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.
Career
The origin of his nickname "Sparrow" (Wróbel) is unknown. Henry VIII received the towns of Kożuchów, Zielona Góra, Szprotawa, Sława, Nowe Miasteczko and PrzemkóWest 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.
He loved banquets, games and knight tournaments. This lifestyle required large amounts of money, and in consequence, the Duke had a continuous financial problems.
His major financial obligations were with Konrad II the Gray, Duke of Oleśnica, who after his death received Ścinawa as a payment. Later, he tried to obtain the Church"s goods.
This ended with his excommunication imposed by the Bishop of Wrocław.
Coincidentally the Duke died shortly after, as a result of severe wounds obtained during a knights tournament in Legnica. His funeral took place in an atmosphere of scandal: his body wasn"t buried for eight days, until the Church received the financial compensation for the Duke"s behavior. He was buried in the Augustinian church in Żagań.