Frederick, Duke of Bohemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frederick |
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Seal of Duke Frederick
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| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 1172 – 1173 |
| Predecessor | Vladislav II |
| Successor | Soběslav II |
| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 1178 – 25 March 1189 |
| Predecessor | Soběslav II |
| Successor | Conrad II |
| Born | c. 1142 |
| Died | 25 March 1189 (aged 46–47) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth of Hungary |
| Issue | Ludmilla of Bohemia |
| House | Přemyslid dynasty |
| Father | Vladislav II of Bohemia |
| Mother | Gertrude of Babenberg |
Frederick (also known as Bedřich in Czech) was a powerful leader from the Přemyslid dynasty. He served as the Duke of Bohemia twice. His first time as duke was from 1172 to 1173. He returned to power in 1178 and ruled until his death in 1189.
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Frederick, Duke of Bohemia
Frederick was born around 1142. He was the oldest son of King Vladislav II of Bohemia. His mother was Gertrude of Babenberg. She was the daughter of Margrave Leopold III of Austria.
Early Life and First Reign
Frederick's father, Vladislav II, became the Duke of Bohemia in 1140. In 1158, the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, gave Vladislav the title of king. Emperor Frederick was also Frederick's godfather. This made Vladislav the second Přemyslid king, after his grandfather Vratislav II.
Frederick himself became a prince in Moravia, ruling the city of Olomouc from 1164.
Losing the Duchy
In 1172, King Vladislav decided to step down. He wanted Frederick to become the new duke. However, he did this without asking Emperor Barbarossa first. This was a big problem.
Other members of the Přemyslid family, cousins of Vladislav, also wanted the throne. Frederick could not keep his position as duke. Neither the Bohemian nobles nor the emperor approved his rule.
In September 1173, Emperor Barbarossa held a big meeting called an Imperial Diet. At this meeting, both Frederick and his father were removed from power. The emperor then offered the throne to Vladislav's cousin, Oldřich. But Oldřich refused and gave the rule to his older brother, Soběslav II. Soběslav II was popular with the common people.
Return to Power
After losing his title, Frederick had to serve at the emperor's court. Meanwhile, Soběslav II, the new duke, caused trouble. He did not get along with the Bohemian nobles or the emperor.
Soběslav II refused to help Emperor Barbarossa in his war in Italy. The emperor's army suffered a major defeat in 1176. Also, Duke Soběslav attacked the lands of Austria to the south. During these attacks, Duke Henry Jasomirgott, the emperor's uncle, died in an accident.
Soběslav ignored the emperor's orders to appear at court. This gave Frederick a chance to return. Frederick formed an alliance with Conrad III Otto of Znojmo from Moravia. He also allied with Leopold V of Austria, the new Duke of Austria.
Reclaiming the Throne
With Emperor Barbarossa's support, Frederick and his allies marched towards Prague. In 1178, Frederick was chosen as duke again. At first, Soběslav's forces defeated Frederick in a battle at Loděnice. But Frederick won a major victory outside Prague on January 27, 1179. Soběslav was removed from power and died in exile the next year.
Challenges and Later Reign
The emperor now officially recognized Frederick as an important prince. Frederick worked to keep peace with his neighbors, including Poland, Meissen, and Hungary. He also confirmed the border between Bohemia and Austria.
In 1184, Frederick went to Mainz with many followers. He attended a special ceremony where the emperor's sons were made knights.
However, Frederick's rule was still difficult due to family conflicts. He tried to make his younger half-brother, Ottokar, ruler of Moravia. But his former ally, Prince Conrad of Znojmo, turned against him. Conrad even drove Frederick out of Prague for a short time.
Frederick was put back in power by Barbarossa in 1182. But the emperor also made Moravia a separate territory under Conrad's rule. The emperor also gave the Prague bishop, Henry Bretislaus, special princely status. This divided the Bohemian lands into three parts, all reporting to the emperor.
Final Years
Frederick became weaker due to these family struggles. He was almost like a puppet of the emperor. In 1186, Frederick's half-brother Ottokar defeated Margrave Conrad in a bloody battle.
To end the long family dispute, the Bohemian and Moravian Přemyslids met at Knín in 1186. Conrad agreed to accept Frederick as his overlord. In return, Frederick confirmed Conrad's rights and his right to become the next Duke of Bohemia.
Frederick died in 1189. He was preparing to join the emperor on the Third Crusade. According to the agreement made at Knín, Conrad became the next duke (as Duke Conrad II). He united Bohemia and Moravia once more.
Family Life
Frederick married Elizabeth. She was the daughter of King Géza II of Hungary from the Árpád family.
They had the following children:
- Helena (born 1158)
- Sophia (died 1185), who married Albert, Margrave of Meissen
- Ludmilla (died 1240), who married Count Albert III of Bogen, and later Louis I, Duke of Bavaria
- Vratislaus (died 1180)
- Olga (active around 1163)
- Margaret (died 1167)
