A History of Watzenrode Family from Torun in 14th–16th Centuries

Abstract

It is not clearly explained where did Watzenrode family, settled in Torun, come from. They came probably from Upper Hesse or Rhineland-Palatinate. Ludwik Birkenmajer’s thesis about Polish and Silesian roots of that family should be rejected – it is impossible to connect a branch of the family from Ziębice and Wrocław with a branch from Torun. The most reliable is a thesis that Watzenrodes came to Torun from Westfalia in the first half of the 14th century, simultaneously to the great number of other immigrant families, that became patrician of Torun. In Torun there were two branches of this family – both descending from Albrecht I’s sons: Fryderyk III (about 1370–1416) and Lukasz I (about 1390–1462). Albrecht I was born about 1340 and died in 1399. Among descendants of Fryderyk III, there were Fryderyk IV (about 1410–1446) and his son, Jerzy Fryderyk V (about 1435-about 1482). Among descendants of Lukasz I, there were Lukasz II, bishop of Varmia (1447–1512), and Lukasz’s illegal son, Filip Teschner (about 1475 – after 1523). Albrecht I’ wife was a councilor Lukasz Reusse’s daughter, died 1384. Her name is unknown. Lukasz I’ wife was Katarzyna, a councilor Jan Rusop’s daughter, died 1416. Katarzyna’s mother was Rusop’s wife – her name is unknown – descending from von Putten family. Filip Teschner’s mother was identified as well, as a Elzbieta Rackendorff (about 1455 – about 1495), Pawel’s, rich merchant from Torun, eldest daughter. It is possible that Lukasz II and Elzbieta’s marriage had been planned in 1474. Nevertheless, engagement was broken, probably because of a chance for a great carrier as a clergyman for Lukasz. It is possible that because of this, pregnant Elzbieta was married to Jan Teschner, member of other patrician family from Torun, who adopted “bishop’s” offspring. Geneological table attached to this article depicts a complete genealogy of the family. Watzenrodes stood out from patricians from Torun due to the level of their education. Four members of this family became students: Cezary and Lukasz II graduated as doctors, Fryderyk III I Fryderyk IV did not graduated university and came back to the town. Konrad Gesselen, the most outstanding humanist from the half of the 15th century, was a close friend to Lukasz I and his wife, Katarzyna. Before death he even lived in Watzenrodes’ house and was Katarzyna’s confessor. It is certain that intellectual traditions of Watzenrodes influenced Nicolaus Copernicus’ education, as he descended from this family by his female ancestors.