Bogislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania

Who was Bogislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania?

Bogislaw IV, of the Griffins dynasty, was Duke of Pomerania for thirty years.

Bogislaw was the eldest son of Duke Barnim I by his first wife, sometimes said to be a daughter of King Eric X of Sweden. He was an adult at his father's death in 1278, having been co-ruler since 1276. His half-brothers Barnim II and Otto I were still very young and was sole ruler in Pomerania during their minority.

In the early 1280s Bogislaw was involved in the war in the neighbouring margraviate of Brandenburg. At this time he married Matilda, daughter of John I and a sister of reigning Margrave Otto IV, but all of his known children were by a second marriage to Magarete, daughter of Wizlaw II, Prince of Rügen. Their son Wartislaw IV would later rule in Western Pomerania and inherit Rügen. Their daughter Elisabeth of Pomerania married Duke Eric I of Saxe-Lauenburg ca. 1318. Their daughter Euphemia of Pomerania married Christopher II of Denmark.

In the 1290s with his brothers now adults, Pomerania was divided between them with Bogislaw receiving Wolgast as his share. Barnim II died soon afterwards and Otto ruled Szczecin.