 After his father's death in 1415 his widow, Agnes of Saxe-Lauenburg, initially held the guardianship of her sons Barnim VIII and Swantibor IV, and as well as the sons of her brothers-in-law Barnim VI, Wartislaw IX, and Barnim VII.Agnes was assisted by a regency council led by Kord Bonow.When the various sons came of age, Pomerania was split in 1425.