Anne of Bohemia (1290–1313) facts for kids

Anne of Bohemia (born October 15, 1290 – died September 3, 1313) was a princess who became a queen. She was the oldest surviving daughter of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, who was King of Bohemia and Poland. Her mother was Judith of Habsburg. Anne had several siblings, including her sister Elizabeth and her brother Wenceslaus III of Bohemia.

Anne's Early Life and Family

Anne was born in 1290 in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Her mother, Judith, passed away in 1297 when Anne was just seven years old. Out of her mother's ten children, only four lived to become adults. These were her brother Wenceslaus, Anne herself, her sister Elizabeth, and another sister named Margaret.

In 1300, Anne's father, Wenceslaus, married again. His new wife was a Polish princess named Elizabeth Richenza. She belonged to the Piast dynasty. Anne's father also became the King of Poland for five years. He died in 1305. Anne's father and Elizabeth Richenza had one daughter together, Agnes of Bohemia.

Becoming Queen of Bohemia

In 1306, Anne married Henry of Carinthia. Henry was the son of Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia and Elisabeth of Bavaria.

A big change happened in 1306 when Anne's brother, Wenceslaus, was killed. After his death, Anne's husband, Henry, was chosen to be the new King of Bohemia. He was also given the title of King of Poland.

However, another powerful ruler, Rudolf of Habsburg, soon took control. Anne and Henry had to leave Bohemia and went to Carinthia to be safe from Rudolf. Rudolf only ruled for one year. When he died, Henry became King of Bohemia again.

Life as Queen and Exile

As queen, Anne and Henry focused on Anne's younger sister, Elizabeth. They wanted Elizabeth to get married, but she said no to every suitor. In 1310, Elizabeth finally married John of Luxembourg. This marriage caused a disagreement between Anne and Elizabeth. Some people said that Elizabeth was more beautiful than Anne, and Anne felt jealous.

By 1310, John and Elizabeth had taken over Prague, the capital city. Anne and Henry were forced to leave Bohemia again. They went back to live in Carinthia. Anne passed away in 1313 in Ljubljana. This city was the capital of Carniola, which was part of her husband's lands. She was buried in Bolzano, in a region called Tyrol. Anne was only twenty-two years old when she died, and she did not have any children. Her husband, Henry, married two more times after her death.

Sources in English

• Anne's Bohemia; Czech Literature and Society, 1310–1420, by Alfred Thomas University of Minnesota Press, 1998, Preface by David Wallace