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St. Wenceslas - Don't Lose Our Lives Now...

Published: 28.9.2010
Let´s say something about this Bohemian Saint and a Patron of Bohemia at the same time.

St. Wenceslas´ Youth

This most important Bohemian Saint was born in 907-908 A.D. two noblemen of Přemysl Parentage - Prince Vratislav and his wife, Princess Drahomíra originally native from Brandenburg. Later, in 915, Prince couple was born another son, Boleslav, later known as „Boleslav. the Cruel“. Their grand-mother, Princess Ludmila, had big influence for both brothers. She learned them Slavonic language, to read and write as well as the liturgy. His father sent Wenceslas to the community of Budeč, where young man was educated by Slavonic priests (Paul and Ucen) in Latin language. When Vratislav died (in 921), so, as new sovereign would be nominated Wenceslas (he was only 14 years old), so, the domination was set about by Drahomíra. However, she rivalled with Ludmila, regarding an influence above young Wenceslas. Ludmila was forced to leave her position in Prague and was expelled to Tetín Castle (not far from Srbsko village). Drahomíra tried to murder her. This act was effected by means of Tunna and Gommon, the Viking  sheriffs. They throttled the Princess by means of veil.

St. Wenceslas' Domination

In 924, Wenceslas took over the domination. Anyway, the country where he would be destined to rule (extended in Central and West Bohemia) is forming rounded system of fortification and colonization, however, from the other part, it is not united from religious point of view, as the area was not completely christianized (Pagan as well as Christian liturgy formed nearly the same relation). Moreover, it was necessary to take into account the external danger - the Hungarians from south-east, and Arnulf, Bavarian Duke, from west. Nevertheless, Wenceslas  carried out  to subject  Radslav, Prince of Kouřim. However, this act  revenged to him. Later, in 929, Henry I. Fowler (Ptáčník) of Saxonia, brought Bavaria under his dominion, and sent his military troops to Bohemia. Wenceslas did not expect such attack, so that the Saxonians and Bavarians came to Prague. The Prince did not wished that his country would be plundered and pillaged, so he let to be subordinated, and presented to Henry his promise of fidelity. He made a promise for payment of one year´s fee (charge) of 500 talents of argent and 120 pieces of oxen (by the way: it was standard way of payment for a peace, and Henry was also forced to pay similar fee to Hungarians). Nevertheless, it is an important fact that Wenceslas kept his sovereign supremacy.

The Crisis

However, the opinions´ differences between Wenceslas and Boleslav increased. Anyway, there are disputes, in which points both noblemen were not in harmony. Maybe, the religious affairs could enter into question. Wenceslas maintained a claim on consistent Christianization. However, this direction rather disturbed traditional state arrangement, formed on paganeous basis, and this fact would take an aversion to more conservative leaders. So, Wenceslas took a church for an effective instrument of his policy, which would strengthen his position in Bohemia, with regard to the other states (countries) of Central Europe. So, he managed to obtain (from Prince Henry) an arm from earthly remains of St.Vitus, and consequently, he founded a church in Prague castle, dedicated to this Saint. However, such politics was not in harmony at Bohemian authorities, led by Prince Boleslav, and this fact was terminated by Wenceslas death in Boleslav seat (today´s stronghold in Stará Boleslav).

Nevertheless, the next affirmation says that a reason of both brothers´ disputes, there was different vision regarding nationalizing and foreign-politics conception of Wenceslas´ Saxonian direction probably did not like to Boleslav, it was contribution payment, better to say, and also carrying out of local power. So, when his elder brother beat some of Bohemian Princes, did not occupy such areas by means of military troops, and was fully satisfied with their formal promise of subordination. However, this pronise was not kept, as it often could happen. On the other hand, Boleslav was, in such direction, more consistent and pragmatic. He wished to bring Bohemia under the dominion. It means, he tried to set free the other Princes from the domination, set their people (members) into such territories (areas) and to encash the taxes from them. His idea was: to form strong military troops and be free from Saxonian hegemony. We wish to note, that  Boleslav managed this action later.

Wenceslas Death

Anyway, in the morning of 28th September 935, Wenceslas, during his way to the church in Boleslav homestead in Stará Boleslav, he met his brother. Boleslav was infuriated with Wenceslas´ upstarting, with which he addressed him, drew his sword, but his brother disarmed him. Afterthat, Boleslav´s friends saw this scene, run towards Wenceslas, he tried to be hidden inside the church, but he did not managed it and so, he was murdered.

So, these were the last moments of Wenceslas´ life, according to historian Dušan Třeštík.

Nevertheless, Boleslav was very sorry for Wenceslav´s death: „Boleslav stooped his iron neck for a pray. He fully realized his sin. he did not murder his brother Wenceslas only but  he also destroyed the other persons, too. He let to transfer the body of his brother Wenceslas from Boleslav Castle to Prague and buried him in St. Vitus Church.“

It is obvious that Boleslav was really afflicted, but, on the other hand, we need to look for his behaviour more natural reasons. He wished to have the best relations with the church, as this was the only way, in order wider legitimacy could be guaranteed (secured). So, Wenceslas became a martyr, he was declared as saint person, and later he became a Patron of Bohemia. According to the legend, his seat is situated inside Blaník Mountain, where he is waiting for, together with his friends (knights) when his fatherland would be in bad times, in order to protect it against destructive yokes. So, St.Wenceslas cult became very powerful. This fact could be testified by St.Wenceslas choral song. This hymn was probably composed in 12th century. By the way, this choral is Bohemian Church Hymn, too.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikipedia.org

 



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