Vladislaus II, Duke and King of Bohemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vladislaus II |
|
|---|---|
Denar of Vladislaus II
|
|
| Duke of Bohemia | |
| Reign | February 1140 – 11 January 1158 |
| Predecessor | Soběslav I |
| Successor | himself as king |
| King of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 11 January 1158 – 1172 |
| Coronation | 11 January 1158, Regensburg |
| Predecessor | himself as duke |
| Successor | Frederick as duke |
| Born | c. 1110 Bohemia |
| Died | 18 January 1174 (aged 63–64) Meerane, Germany |
| Burial | Prague, Strahov Abbey |
| Spouse | Gertrude of Babenberg Judith of Thuringia |
| Issue Detail |
Frederick, Duke of Bohemia Adalbert III, Archbishop of Salzburg Ottokar I, King of Bohemia Vladislaus III, Duke of Bohemia |
| Dynasty | Přemyslid |
| Father | Vladislaus I, Duke of Bohemia |
| Mother | Richeza of Berg |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Vladislaus II (born around 1110, died January 18, 1174) was an important ruler in the history of Bohemia. He started as the Duke of Bohemia in 1140. Later, in 1158, he became the King of Bohemia.
He was the second Bohemian ruler to hold the title of king. However, at that time, the royal title was not passed down automatically from parent to child. Vladislaus II was the son of Vladislaus I and Richeza of Berg. He was married twice, first to Gertrude of Babenberg and then to Judith of Thuringia.
Becoming Duke of Bohemia
Vladislaus was a young man who loved adventure. He didn't expect to become ruler while his uncle, Soběslav I, was still in charge. Because of this, he moved away to Bavaria.
Returning to Bohemia
When his uncle Soběslav died in 1140, Vladislaus returned to Bohemia. He had help from his brother-in-law, Conrad III, who was the king of Germany. With this support, the nobles of Bohemia chose Vladislaus to be their new duke.
Challenges as Duke
At first, Vladislaus faced problems from his cousin, who was also named Vladislav. This cousin was Soběslav's son. In 1138, Emperor Lothair II had supported his cousin's right to rule. However, in 1140, a meeting in Bamberg confirmed that Vladislaus II should be the duke.
Some local dukes, like Conrad II of Znojmo, caused trouble for Vladislaus. They even defeated him in a battle in 1142. But they couldn't capture Prague. Vladislaus kept his position with help from King Conrad III of Germany. Vladislaus had married Conrad's half-sister, Gertrude of Babenberg.
Joining the Second Crusade
In 1147, Vladislaus joined King Conrad on the Second Crusade. This was a big military journey to the Holy Land. However, Vladislaus stopped his journey in Constantinople and returned home. On his way back to Bohemia, he traveled through Kiev and Kraków.
Becoming King of Bohemia
After Frederick Barbarossa became the new German king in 1152, Vladislaus was asked to attend a meeting. He sent his representative, Bishop Daniel of Prague, instead. In 1155, Vladislaus met Frederick near the Bohemian border.
The Royal Agreement
In 1156, Vladislaus attended Frederick's wedding in Würzburg. There, they made a secret deal. Vladislaus agreed to help Frederick in his upcoming trip to Italy. In return, Frederick would make Vladislaus a king.
Crowned King
On January 11, 1158, this secret plan became real at a meeting in Regensburg. Frederick crowned Vladislaus with a special crown. This crown was different from Frederick's own imperial crown. Frederick said that Vladislaus and future Bohemian rulers could use this royal title forever. However, after Vladislaus gave up his throne, the royal title was not used again for a while.
When Vladislaus returned to Bohemia, the nobles were not happy. They didn't like his promise to fight in Italy. They also didn't like that he changed the Bohemian rules without asking them. They only agreed when he promised to pay for the Italian trip himself.
Supporting the Emperor
Vladislaus was a strong friend and helper to Emperor Frederick. He joined Frederick on trips to Milan in 1158. During other trips to Italy in 1161, 1162, and 1167, Vladislaus sent his brother and his son to lead the Czech soldiers.
Vladislaus also gained more control over areas like Moravia. He also got involved in the politics of Hungary in 1163. He even arranged for his second son to marry a Hungarian princess.
Giving Up the Throne
Vladislaus wanted his son, Frederick, to become the next duke of Bohemia. However, the position of duke was chosen by nobles, not passed down automatically. In 1173, Vladislaus decided to give up his throne. He did this without getting permission from the Bohemian nobles or the emperor.
His son Frederick ruled for less than a year. Then, Soběslav II, the older son of Soběslav I, took his place.
Vladislaus moved to Thuringia, where his second wife's family lived. He died there in January 1174. He was buried in the Cathedral of Meissen.
Vladislaus's Legacy
During Vladislaus's rule, many new monasteries were built in Bohemia. He also oversaw the building of a stone bridge across the Vltava River in Prague. This bridge was named the Judith Bridge, in honor of his second wife. A flood destroyed this bridge in 1342. The famous Charles Bridge was later built in its place.
Family and Children
Vladislaus II had children from both of his marriages.
Children with Gertrude of Babenberg
With his first wife, Gertrude of Babenberg (who died in 1150), he had these children:
- A daughter (possibly named Richeza), who married Yaroslav II of Kiev.
- Frederick, who later became duke.
- Sviatopluk, who married a daughter of Géza II of Hungary.
- Vojtěch, who became Archbishop of Salzburg as Adalbert III of Bohemia.
- Agnes (died June 7, 1228), who became an abbess at St George of Prague.
Children with Judith of Thuringia
With his second wife, Judith of Thuringia (married in 1155), he had these children:
- Ottokar, who later became the first king of Bohemia in a line where the title was passed down.
- Vladislaus, who later became Duke of Bohemia as Vladislaus III.
- Richeza (died April 19, 1182), who married Henry I, Duke of Mödling.
