Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Between 0894 and 0895, Böhmen, Tsjekkia; Hertug.

Notes:

Occupation:
He was the eldest son of Duke Borivoj 1, the first historically-documented Bohemian ruler of the Premyslid dynasty, and his wife Ludmila. He was still a minor upon his father's death c. 889, and the Bohemian lands were placed under the regency of their suzerain Prince Svatopluk 1 of Great Moravia. After Svatopluk died in 894, an inheritance conflict arose between his sons Mojmir 2 and Svatopluk 2. Spytihnev took advantage of the situation to free himself from Moravian vassalage. According to the Annales Fuldenses, he appeared at the 895 Reichstag in Regensburg and paid homage to the East Frankish king Arnulf of Carinthia.

Spytihnev is known for his alliance with Margrave Luitpold of Bavaria, who in 898 fought against Mojmir 2, finally separating Bohemia from the Greater Moravian realm. Designed to protect Bohemia against the ravages of Magyar raiders, this pact also opened Bohemia to East Frankish Carolingian culture and paved the way for the eventual triumph of Roman Catholicism in Czech spiritual affairs. Spytihnev continued the extension of Prague Castle as the administrative center of the Premyslid duchy.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Abt 0870, Böhmen, Tsjekkia; Hertug.

Notes:

Occupation:
Borivoj 1 was the first historically-documented Duke of Bohemia (c.870 – c.889) and founder of the Premyslid dynasty.

As the head of the Premyslids who dominated the environs of present-day Prague, Borivoj declared himself kníže - in Latin dux, which means sovereign prince - around the year 870 A.D. His title was later translated by German scholars as "duke" of the Bohemians (Czechs). Although the German dukes of the era held the same title, the meaning of his title was in fact completely different. In contrast to the German dukes, the Czech dux denoted a sovereign ruler. Borivoj was recognised as such around 872 by his overlord Svatopluk I of Great Moravia, who dispatched Bishop Methodius to begin the conversion of the Bohemian Slavs to Christianity. Borivoj and his wife Ludmila were baptised by Methodius (probably in 883), and the latter became an enthusiastic evangelist, although the religion failed to take root among Borivoj's subjects.

In the years 883-884 Borivoj was deposed by a revolt in support of his kinsman Strojmír. He was restored in 885 only with the support of his suzerain Svatopluk of Moravia. When Borivoj died about 4 years later, his sons still minors, Svatopluk took over the rule of Bohemia himself.

As with most of the early Bohemian rulers, Borivoj is a shadowy figure; exact dates for his reign and vital statistics cannot be established. Nonetheless, several major fortifications and religious foundations are said to have dated from this time. In old Czech legends he is said to have been son of a Bohemian prince named Hostivít.

Borivoj married Ludmila before 0871. Ludmila was born about 0860 in Melnik, Böhmen, Tsjekkia; died on 15 Sep 0921. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Drept av sin svigerdatter Drahomira.

Wenceslaus' wife Drahomíra became jealous of Ludmila's influence over Wenceslaus. She had two noblemen murder Ludmila at Tetín, and part of Ludmila's story says that she was strangled with her veil. Initially Saint Ludmila was buried at St. Michael's at Tetín. Sometime before the year 1100 her remains were removed to the St. George's Basilica, Prague.

Saint Ludmila is venerated as a patroness of Bohemia. Her feast day is celebrated on 16 September. She is considered to be a patron saint of Bohemia, converts, Czech Republic, duchesses, problems with in-laws, and widows. She was canonized shortly after her death.

Notes:

Married:
Ludmila was married to Borivoj 1 of Bohemia, who was the first Christian Duke of Bohemia. The couple was converted to Christianity around 871, probably through the efforts of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Their efforts to convert Bohemia to Christianity were initially not well received, and they were driven from their country for a time by the pagans. Eventually the couple returned, and ruled for several years before retiring to Tetin, near Beroun.