Vladislaus I, Duke of Bohemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vladislaus I |
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| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 1109 – 1117 |
| Predecessor | Svatopluk |
| Successor | Bořivoj II |
| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 1120 – 1125 |
| Predecessor | Bořivoj II |
| Successor | Sobeslav I |
| Born | c. 1065 |
| Died | 12 April 1125 (aged 59–60) |
| Spouse | Richeza of Berg |
| Issue among others... |
Vladislav II of Bohemia Děpold I of Jamnitz |
| House | Přemyslid dynasty |
| Father | Vratislaus II of Bohemia |
| Mother | Świętosława of Poland |
Vladislaus I (born around 1065 – died April 12, 1125) was an important ruler of Bohemia. He was the Duke of Bohemia for two periods: first from 1109 to 1117, and then again from 1120 until he passed away.
Contents
Life as Duke of Bohemia
Vladislaus I was a son of Vratislaus II of Bohemia, who was a king. His mother was Svatava, a princess from Poland.
Becoming Duke
In 1107, Vladislaus worked with his cousin, Svatopluk, to remove his brother, Bořivoj II, from power in Bohemia. Two years later, in 1109, Svatopluk was killed during a fight in Poland. After Svatopluk's death, Vladislaus I became the new Duke of Bohemia.
However, his brother Bořivoj II tried to get his power back. Bořivoj returned from exile with help from Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland. But Vladislaus defeated Bořivoj and put him in prison in 1110.
Challenges and Successes
Even after his victory, Vladislaus I faced pressure from Poland. He had to agree that his younger brother, Soběslav, would rule a part of Moravia called Znojmo.
In 1117, Vladislaus I officially gave up his title to Bořivoj II. But Vladislaus still kept a lot of the real power behind the scenes. Then, in 1120, Bořivoj was removed from power again. Bořivoj was given Znojmo to rule instead. Vladislaus I became Duke of Bohemia once more and ruled until he died in 1125.
Vladislaus I ruled during a difficult time, but he was quite successful. Bohemia was part of the Holy Roman Empire, so he still had to respect the Emperor. He managed to handle problems with Poland trying to interfere in Bohemia. He also dealt with conflicts with his own relatives in Moravia. Vladislaus even led attacks against both Poland and Austria.
In 1110 and 1111, Vladislaus traveled with Emperor Henry V on a trip to Italy. He also encouraged people from Germany to move and settle in the areas near Bohemia's borders.
Building the Abbey of Kladruby
In 1115, Vladislaus I helped to start a new monastery called the Benedictine abbey of Kladruby. It was located west of a city called Pilsen. Vladislaus gave the abbey 25 estates and control over the area of Zbraslav. By 1117, he had made the abbey even bigger, adding more monks and lay brothers (people who live by the rules of the monastery but are not monks).
Family Life
Vladislaus I was married to Richeza of Berg. She passed away on September 27, 1125. Together, they had several children:
- Svatava
- Vladislav II of Bohemia (born around 1110 – died January 18, 1174). He later became a King of Bohemia.
- Děpold I of Jamnitz (died August 1167)
- Jindřich (Henry) (died after 1169). His son, Bretislav, later became a bishop and then Duke of Bohemia.
