Borivoj I of Bohemia
Encyclopedia
Bořivoj I (ˈbɔr̝ɪvɔj) (c. 852 – c. 889) was the first historically documented Duke of Bohemia
(870–889) and founder of Přemyslid dynasty
.
As the head of the Přemyslids who dominated the environs of present-day Prague
, around 870 Bořivoj declared himself kníže - in latin
dux, which means sovereign
prince
. His title was later translated by German scholars as "duke
" of the Bohemians (Czechs). Although the German dukes have had the same title, his title was in fact completely different. The Czech dux was contrary to them a sovereign ruler. Bořivoj was recognised as such by his overlord Svatopluk I
of Great Moravia
around 872 who dispatched Bishop Methodius to begin the conversion of the Bohemian Slavs to Christianity
. Bořivoj and his wife Saint Ludmila
were baptised by Methodius (probably in 883) and the latter became an enthusiastic evangelist, although the religion failed to take root among Bořivoj's subjects.
In the years 883/884 Bořivoj was deposed by a revolt in support of his kinsman Strojmír, and restored in 885 only from the will of his suzerain Svatopluk of Moravia. When Bořivoj had died 4 years later Svatopluk took over the rule over Bohemia by himself.
As with most of the early Bohemian rulers, Bořivoj is a shadowy figure and exact dates and facts for his reign can never be considered as completely reliable, although several major fortifications and religious foundations are said to have dated from this time. In old Czech
legend
s he is said to be son of a prince of Bohemians called Hostivít
.
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
(870–889) and founder of Přemyslid dynasty
Premyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
.
As the head of the Přemyslids who dominated the environs of present-day 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...
, around 870 Bořivoj declared himself kníže - in latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
dux, which means sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
. His title was later translated by German scholars as "duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
" of the Bohemians (Czechs). Although the German dukes have had the same title, his title was in fact completely different. The Czech dux was contrary to them a sovereign ruler. Bořivoj was recognised as such by his overlord Svatopluk I
Svatopluk I
Svatopluk I or Zwentibald I was the greatest ruler of Moravia that attained its maximum territorial expansion in his reign . His career had already started in the 860s, when he governed a principality, the location of which is still a matter of debate among historians, within Moravia under the...
of Great Moravia
Great Moravia
Great Moravia was a Slavic state that existed in Central Europe and lasted for nearly seventy years in the 9th century whose creators were the ancestors of the Czechs and Slovaks. It was a vassal state of the Germanic Frankish kingdom and paid an annual tribute to it. There is some controversy as...
around 872 who dispatched Bishop Methodius to begin the conversion of the Bohemian Slavs to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Bořivoj and his wife Saint Ludmila
Saint Ludmila
Saint Ludmila is a Czech saint and martyr venerated by the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. She was born in Mělník as daughter of a Slavic prince Slavibor...
were baptised by Methodius (probably in 883) and the latter became an enthusiastic evangelist, although the religion failed to take root among Bořivoj's subjects.
In the years 883/884 Bořivoj was deposed by a revolt in support of his kinsman Strojmír, and restored in 885 only from the will of his suzerain Svatopluk of Moravia. When Bořivoj had died 4 years later Svatopluk took over the rule over Bohemia by himself.
As with most of the early Bohemian rulers, Bořivoj is a shadowy figure and exact dates and facts for his reign can never be considered as completely reliable, although several major fortifications and religious foundations are said to have dated from this time. In old Czech
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s he is said to be son of a prince of Bohemians called Hostivít
Hostivít
Hostivít was the last of the seven Bohemian mythical princes between the founder of the Přemyslid dynasty Přemysl the Ploughman and the first historical prince Bořivoj...
.