Boleslaus II, Duke of Bohemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boleslaus II |
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Fresco in the Znojmo Rotunda, 12th-century
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| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | July 967/972 – 7 February 999 |
| Predecessor | Boleslaus I |
| Successor | Boleslaus III |
| Born | c. 932 |
| Died | 7 February 999 (aged c. 67) |
| Burial | St. George's Basilica, Prague |
| Spouse | Adiva Emma of Mělník |
| Issue | Boleslaus III Jaromír Oldřich |
| Dynasty | Přemyslid |
| Father | Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia |
| Mother | Biagota |
Boleslaus II the Pious (born around 932 – died February 7, 999) was an important ruler from the Přemyslid dynasty. He was the Duke of Bohemia from 972 until his death in 999. His nickname "the Pious" means "very religious."
Contents
Life as a Duke
Boleslaus was the older son of Duke Boleslaus I the Cruel. He had three younger siblings who grew up: Strachkvas, Doubravka, and the abbess Mlada. Doubravka later married Duke Mieszko I of Poland.
Boleslaus II became the ruler of the Duchy of Bohemia in 972. A "duke" was a powerful leader, similar to a prince.
Working with Other Rulers
Like his father, Boleslaus II first had disagreements with the German kings. These kings were part of the Ottonian dynasty. In 974, Boleslaus II and Duke Mieszko I of Poland supported Duke Henry II of Bavaria. Henry was fighting against Emperor Otto II.
In 976, Henry was defeated. He went to Boleslaus's court in Prague Castle for safety. Otto's army then marched into Bohemia. In 978, Boleslaus promised to be loyal to Emperor Otto II. This happened at a big festival in Quedlinburg.
After 980, Bohemia's relationship with Poland became difficult. When Emperor Otto II died in 983, his young son Otto III became emperor. Boleslaus then stopped being allies with Poland. He again sided with Duke Henry of Bavaria. Mieszko I of Poland, however, supported the new young king.
Boleslaus also took control of the Margravate of Meissen in Germany. This upset Mieszko's son, Bolesław, who had married a daughter of the local ruler. In 987, Boleslaus had to leave Meissen. Around 990, he started a long war with Poland over lands like Silesia and Lesser Poland. This was called the Polish-Bohemian War. In 992, Boleslaus joined King Otto III in a fight against the Lutici tribes.
Uniting the Bohemian Lands
A very important event during Boleslaus's rule was the creation of the Diocese of Prague in 973. A "diocese" is an area managed by a bishop in the church. This act earned him the nickname "The Pious." However, the Prague diocese was under the control of the Archbishop of Mainz in Germany. Emperor Otto II made sure that a German monk named Thietmar became the first bishop.
Meanwhile, Boleslaus also had to deal with another powerful family, the Slavník dynasty. This conflict grew stronger from 981. Prince Soběslav of the Slavník family made alliances with Poland and Saxony. When Bishop Thietmar died in 982, Soběslav's brother Adalbert became the new bishop. Adalbert later left his position to spread Christianity to the Old Prussians.
On September 28, 995, Boleslaus's army attacked Libice Castle. This castle was a stronghold of the Slavník family. Boleslaus's forces took control of the castle. This event helped bring all of Bohemia under his single rule.
Family and Children
Boleslaus's first wife was named Adiva. Some historians think she might have been a daughter of an English king. His second wife was Emma of Mělník.
Boleslaus had several children:
- Boleslaus III (born around 965 – died 1037). He was the oldest son and became duke after his father.
- Wenceslaus, who died as a baby.
- Jaromír (born around 975 – died 1035). He later became Duke of Bohemia in 1003.
- Oldřich (born around 975 – died 1034). He became Duke of Bohemia in 1012.
After Boleslaus II died, his oldest son Boleslaus III had problems with his brothers. He was removed from power in 1002. The family struggles caused trouble for Bohemia. Duke Oldřich later worked hard to make the country stable again.
See also
In Spanish: Boleslao II de Bohemia para niños
