Boleslaus III of Bohemia
Encyclopedia
Boleslaus III (died 1037), called the Red(-haired) or the Blind, was the duke of Bohemia from 999
until 1002 AD. He was the "worst of all men who ever sat on the Bohemian throne."
The eldest son of Boleslav II the Pious, Boleslav III was a weak ruler in whose chaotic reign Bohemia became a pawn in the long war between the Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II and Boleslaw the Brave, King of Poland.
By 1002, a revolt organized by Vršovci
grandees (along with Boleslav's son-in-law) forced Boleslav to flee to Germany where he was received by Henry I of Austria. At first Henry ordered his guest's arrest because of some old offence, but soon forgave him and promised support. Boleslaw's kinsman Vladivoj took the Czech throne, but he was a drunk and died during the year. After Vladivoj's death the nobles invited Jaromir
and Oldrich
from exile, the former took the duke's throne.
On February 9, 1003, Boleslav the Red was restored to authority with armed support from of Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland. Boleslav's brothers Jaromir and Oldrich fled to Germany and placed themselves under the protection of Henry II. The duke soon undermined his own position by ordering a massacre of his leading nobles, the Vršovci, at Vyšehrad
. According to Thietmar
, Boleslav slashed his son-in-law to death with his own sword. The tragedy occurred during Lent
.
Nobles who survived secretly sent messengers to Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland and entreated him to save them. The Polish duke willingly agreed, and invited his Czech namesake to visit him at his castle (probably in Kraków
). There, Boleslav III was trapped, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying in captivity some thirty years later. Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland, claiming the ducal throne for himself, invaded Bohemia in 1003 and took Prague
without any serious opposition ruling as Boleslaus IV for a little over a year.
999
Year 999 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Silesia is incorporated into territory ruled by Boleslaus I of Poland.* The Orsay commune is founded.- Asia :...
until 1002 AD. He was the "worst of all men who ever sat on the Bohemian throne."
The eldest son of Boleslav II the Pious, Boleslav III was a weak ruler in whose chaotic reign Bohemia became a pawn in the long war between the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Henry II and Boleslaw the Brave, King of Poland.
By 1002, a revolt organized by Vršovci
Vršovci
The Vršovci were a noble Czech family and clan, probable or legendary ancestors of some bearers of the Oksza and the Rawicz coat of arms ....
grandees (along with Boleslav's son-in-law) forced Boleslav to flee to Germany where he was received by Henry I of Austria. At first Henry ordered his guest's arrest because of some old offence, but soon forgave him and promised support. Boleslaw's kinsman Vladivoj took the Czech throne, but he was a drunk and died during the year. After Vladivoj's death the nobles invited Jaromir
Jaromir of Bohemia
Jaromir was the second son of Boleslaus II the Pious and Emma. In 1003, he rebelled against his elder brother Boleslaus III, who had him emasculated, but was unable to secure the throne which was subsequently taken by Boleslaw the Brave, King of Poland. Jaromir and his brother Oldrich then sought...
and Oldrich
Oldrich of Bohemia
Ulrich was the duke of Bohemia from 1012 to 1033 and briefly in 1034. He was a son of Boleslaus II and brother of Boleslaus III and Jaromir....
from exile, the former took the duke's throne.
On February 9, 1003, Boleslav the Red was restored to authority with armed support from of Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland. Boleslav's brothers Jaromir and Oldrich fled to Germany and placed themselves under the protection of Henry II. The duke soon undermined his own position by ordering a massacre of his leading nobles, the Vršovci, at Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is a castle located in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River...
. According to Thietmar
Thietmar of Merseburg
Thietmar of Merseburg was a German chronicler who was also bishop of Merseburg.-Life:...
, Boleslav slashed his son-in-law to death with his own sword. The tragedy occurred during Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
.
Nobles who survived secretly sent messengers to Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland and entreated him to save them. The Polish duke willingly agreed, and invited his Czech namesake to visit him at his castle (probably in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
). There, Boleslav III was trapped, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying in captivity some thirty years later. Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland, claiming the ducal throne for himself, invaded Bohemia in 1003 and took Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
without any serious opposition ruling as Boleslaus IV for a little over a year.