Václav Kaplický
Encyclopedia
Václav Kaplický was a Czech writer, journalist and epic poet. He is most known as an author of historical fiction.
Kaplický studied at Gymnasium
in Tábor
, finishing in 1914. In 1915 he was sent to the front in Galicia where he was taken captive (1916). Later he joined the Czechoslovak Legion. For his political opinions he was imprisoned by the legion and labeled as a traitor. After returning to Czechoslovakia
in 1921 he worked in civil service. During 1922 - 1950 Kaplický worked in several publishing houses associated with the Czechoslovak Socialist Party
. From 1950 he dedicated his time solely to writing.
The majority of Kaplický's works are historical fictions spanning the period from the Hussite Wars
in the 15th century to the revolutionary upheaval of 1848. His novel Kladivo na čarodějnice (1963), about witch trials in northern Moravia during 1670s is the best known because it served as the basis for movie by Otakar Vávra (Malleus Maleficarum, also translated as Witches' Hammer or Witchhammer).
Kaplický studied at Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in Tábor
Tábor
Tábor is a city of the Czech Republic, in the South Bohemian Region. It is named after Mount Tabor, which is believed by many to be the place of the Transfiguration of Christ; however, the name became popular and nowadays translates to "camp" or "encampment" in the Czech language.The town was...
, finishing in 1914. In 1915 he was sent to the front in Galicia where he was taken captive (1916). Later he joined the Czechoslovak Legion. For his political opinions he was imprisoned by the legion and labeled as a traitor. After returning to Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1921 he worked in civil service. During 1922 - 1950 Kaplický worked in several publishing houses associated with the Czechoslovak Socialist Party
Czech National Social Party
Czech National Social Party was a civic nationalist political party established in 1898 within the Young Czech Party as a nominally socialist group with a stress on achieving Czech independence from Austria–Hungary Czech National Social Party (Czech: Česká strana národně sociální) was a civic...
. From 1950 he dedicated his time solely to writing.
The majority of Kaplický's works are historical fictions spanning the period from the Hussite Wars
Hussite Wars
The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars involved the military actions against and amongst the followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia in the period 1419 to circa 1434. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early hand-held gunpowder weapons such as hand cannons...
in the 15th century to the revolutionary upheaval of 1848. His novel Kladivo na čarodějnice (1963), about witch trials in northern Moravia during 1670s is the best known because it served as the basis for movie by Otakar Vávra (Malleus Maleficarum, also translated as Witches' Hammer or Witchhammer).
Historical fiction
- Kraj kalicha, 1945 - about Hussite period
- Čtveráci, 1952 – about peasant uprising 1618–1620
- Železná koruna (2 volumes), 1954 – about hard life of common people after Thirty Year's War
- Smršť, 1955
- Rekruti, 1956
- Listy z kronik, 1958 – five short historical stories from northern Bohemia
- Zaťatá pěst, 1959
- Kladivo na čarodějnice, 1963 – about witch trials in northern Moravia
- Táborská republika (3 volumes), 1969 – about Hussite period
- Nalezeno právem, 1971 – about accusation of a Jew from ritual murder in 1687
- Škůdce zemský Jiří Kopidlanský, 1976 – from period of dynasty of JagellonJagiellon dynastyThe Jagiellonian dynasty was a royal dynasty originating from the Lithuanian House of Gediminas dynasty that reigned in Central European countries between the 14th and 16th century...
- Veliké theatrum, 1977 – about earliest phase of Thirty Year's war and preparations to Battle of White MountainBattle of White MountainThe Battle of White Mountain, 8 November 1620 was an early battle in the Thirty Years' War in which an army of 30,000 Bohemians and mercenaries under Christian of Anhalt were routed by 27,000 men of the combined armies of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor under Charles Bonaventure de Longueval,...
- Kdo s koho, 1979 – from period of dynasty of Jagellon
- Život alchymistův, 1980 – life of alchemistAlchemyAlchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
Edward KelleyEdward KelleySir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot was an ambiguous figure in English Renaissance occultism and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations...
For youths
- O věrnosti a zradě, 1959 – 15 short historical stories
- Bandita, Paťara a spol., 1969 – for boys
- Královský souboj, 1971
Other
- Gornostaj, finished in 1921, published in 1936 – autobiographic novel about the imprisonment of dissenting legionnaires near VladivostokVladivostokThe city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, on an island in Gornostai Bay - Dobří přátelé, 1961 – about love of nature
- Ani tygři, ani lvi, 1966 – short stories about pet animals
- Od města k městu, 1975 – vandering of studenst throughout Czech lands
- Hrst vzpomínek z mládí, 1988
External links
- Short biography (in Czech)
- History of Kaplický's imprisonment (in Czech)