House of Přemyslid
| House of Přemyslid | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Armorial of Přemyslid | |||
| Country | Kingdom of Bohemia, Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Hungary | ||
| Titles | |||
| Founder | Borivoj I, Czech tribal leader. | ||
| Final ruler | Wenceslaus III of Bohemia | ||
| Founding year | 870 | ||
| Ethnicity | Bohemian | ||
The House of Přemyslid was said to be founded during the late 9th century by Borivoj I, who was converted to Christianity by Saint Methodius. They were from a West Slavic tribe today known as Czechs who were prominent in the region around modern-day Prague.
As vassals of the Holy Roman Empire, the Emperor eventually created them Dukes of Bohemia, after the territory broke-away from Great Moravia. From their Dukedom in Bohemia, they soon gained the Margravate of Moravia. Between 870 and 1198, thirty-three Přemyslid leaders and dukes would rule, before the birth of the Kingdom of Bohemia, created as a reward for their loyal alliance with Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor.
Thereafter the dynasty provided five Kings of Bohemia, from Ottokar I of Bohemia to Wenceslaus III of Bohemia. Upon the death of the latter in 1306 the dynasty was extinguished. He had also been, briefly, King of Poland and King of Hungary, by rights of marriage. The Kingdom of Bohemia then passed to the House of Luxembourg.
Perhaps the most famous member of the dynasty was Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (d.c930). He was canonised as a Christian saint and is considered a martyr. He is known to the wider world, as Good King Wenceslas, the Christmas carol based on his life. Later Wenceslaus would help beat back the Mongol invasion of Europe, gaining several military victories. Bretislaus I, Duke of Bohemia (d.10 Jan 1055) is also noted and was nicknamed the Bohemian Achilles.
