Henry Borwin III, Lord of Rostock

Who is Henry Borwin III, Lord of Rostock?

Henry Borwin III, Lord of Rostock was a member of the House of Mecklenburg. He ruled the Lordship of Rostock jointly with his brothers from 1226 to 1234, then ruled alone until his death.

He was the second youngest son of Henry II Borwin, who became Lord of Rostock in 1225. Since Henry Borwin III was still a minor when his father died in 1226, his brother Nicholas I acted as regent until 1234. During this period, Mecklenburg again became a fief of the Duchy of Saxony. In 1234, the brothers divided Mecklenburg among themselves; Hernry Borwin III received the Lordship of Rostock.

Henry Borwin III came into conflict with the emerging Hanseatic cities of Rostock and Wismar. He also waged war on his brothers. After the overthrow of Pribislaw I, Henry Borwin gained control of a part of Parchim-Richenberg.

During a war against Pomerania, he conquered Circipania, including the cities of Gnoien and Kalen, in 1236. He assisted Denmark in the war against Holstein.

Henry Borwin III died in 1278 and was buried in Doberan.