George II of Brieg (18 July 1523, inLegnica – 7 May 1586, inBrzeg), was aDuke of Brzeg from 1547 until his death.

George II
Duke of Brzeg
Born	18 July 1523 Legnica
Died	7 May 1586 Brzeg
Noble family	Silesian Piasts
Spouse(s)	Barbara of Brandenburg
Issue	Joachim Frederick of Brieg John George of Oława Sophie Elisabeth Magdalena
Father	Frederick II of Legnica
Mother	Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach

He was the second son ofFrederick II,Duke of Legnica-Brzeg, by his second wife Sophie, daughter ofFrederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

After the death of his father in 1547, George II inherited theDuchy of Brzeg (which included the towns ofOława,Strzelin,Niemcza,Kluczbork,Byczyna,Wołów andŚcinawa).

In 1548, the early death of his relativeHenry II of Poděbrady, made him the regent of hisDuchy of Oleśnica on behalf of his sons Henry III and Charles II until 1569. Three year later, in 1551, the insubordination of his elder brotherFrederick III of Legnica caused his deposition from the government and the appointing of his infant sonHenry XI of Legnica as the new Duke of Legnica. George II became in the regent of the Duchy on behalf of his nephew, jointly withBalthasar von Promnitz, until 1556, when Frederick III managed to return to Legnica and retake the power.

During all his reign he maintain a good relationship to the Habsburgs (despite being aLutheran) and was sent by the Emperor in some diplomatic missions. In 1548, George II took part in the coronation ofMaximilian II inPrague andBratislava, and also used the Bryeg army to maintain the internal order of the Duchy (Police Regulation of 1577). In particular, he dedicated himself to the expansion of his main residence, Brzeg, where he built a magnificent Renaissance palace, which was later destroyed byFrederick II the Great during the siege of Brzeg. As a Lutheran, he was totally committed with the reforms started by his father. He also built theGymnasium (high school) in Brzeg (1564–1569) and, after the fire of Brzeg in 1569, the new City Hall and the towers of the St. Nicholas Church.

InBerlin on 15 February 1545, George II married withBarbara (b. 10 August 1527 – d. Brzeg, 2 January 1595), daughter ofJoachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg. They had seven children:

1. Barbara (b. 24 September 1548 – d. 29 September 1565).
2. Joachim Frederick (b. 29 September 1550 – d. Brzeg, 25 March 1602).
3. John George (b. 17 June 1552 – d. Ohlau, 6 July 1592).
4. Sophie (b. 19 November 1556 – d. 24 August 1594).
5. Magdalena (b. 14 October 1560 – d. 2 February 1562).
6. A daughter (b. and d. 6 April 1561).
7. Elisabeth Magdalena (b. Brzeg, 17 November 1562 – d. Oels, 1 February 1630), married on 1 October 1585 toCharles II of Poděbrady, Duke ofMünsterberg (Ziębice)-Oels.

On George II's death, his sons received all his domains except Brzeg, who was given to his widow until her own death.

• Genealogical database by Herbert Stoyan
• Marek, Miroslav."Complete Genealogy of the House of Piast: Silesia". Genealogy.EU.^{[self-published source][better source needed]}
• JERZY II WSPANIAŁY (BRZESKI, POBOŻNY, CZARNY)