Good old king Wenceslas and more

Duke Wenceslas (Václav) was an exceptional figure at the birth of Czech statehood. Few nations have a ruler who is also a saint as their founder. And so, even though the merciless river of time carries us in the stream of history towards the sea of eternity, we, too, can easily see the thrilling story of the land of Bohemia and the Czech nation, in which the knight Václav is the main hero.

Václav was primarily raised by his grandmother Ludmila. She likely showed him the path to deep faith and provided him with education, thanks to which he learned Czech and Latin excellently. After his father's death, Duke Vratislav, Duchess Drahomíra took over the rule of Czech territory, probably due to Václav's insufficient age. Ludmila continued raising the boy, which displeased Drahomíra as Ludmila gained increasing influence over Václav. The conflict between the two women grew, especially over the question of ducal succession. Ludmila defended Václav's rights, while Drahomíra preferred Boleslav, the second son. This conflict eventually led Ludmila to leave for Tetín Castle, where she was ultimately murdered, probably on Drahomíra's orders, likely strangled with her own veil.

In 921 (or according to newer research in 935), a military campaign by Saxon King Henry I, "the Fowler", began, which affected Bohemia. Václav negotiated to spare the Czech lands in exchange for paying tribute, perhaps what we might call protection money. This period ultimately brought friendship between Václav and Henry, symbolized by a gift - the arm of Saint Vitus, which led to the construction of a rotunda in Prague that became today's Cathedral of Saint Vitus, Václav, and Adalbert. Václav cared for the spiritual growth of the land and tried to establish the Slavic language in masses. He also helped the poor and administered justice fairly. He had supporters but also faced hostility from his mother and younger brother Boleslav, which ultimately led to a tragic attack in Stará Boleslav, where Václav was murdered in 929 (or possibly 935). After his crime, Boleslav became duke, but for the rest of his life, he tried to make amends for what he had done and developed the Czech duchy through force, spiritually, and economically. The remains of Saint Václav were later transferred to Prague, and he began to be venerated as a saint and protector of the Czech state. The legend about him spread, and Václav became a symbol and patron of the Czech nation forever. He ultimately became a truly global figure when he became the main character in one of the most famous English Christmas carols as "Good King Wenceslas."

The Czech kingdom later achieved unprecedented prosperity when it was led by another Václav, the firstborn son of King John of Luxembourg, who eventually became the Father of the Nation, King of Bohemia, and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. Like Saint Václav, Charles IV cared not only for the economic prosperity of the kingdom but even more for its spiritual foundations. He built monasteries, churches, and schools and invited the best scholars and experts from all over Europe. He was a highly educated and profoundly religious ruler. Whether we see it as a coincidence or a sign of Providence, the figure of Václav is visible throughout history, even in the most recent times. Václav remains a symbol of faith, courage, and kindness.

The Czech modern history is thus being made right on Wenceslas Square. And it was there, on the afternoon of November 21, 1989, that the moderator, Catholic priest Václav Malý, who had been persecuted by the communists, was calming the crowd at Wenceslas Square: "Various rumours and disinformation are spreading. One of them claims that tanks are rolling towards Prague; it's not true. Don't let yourself be misinformed. This is one of the last tactics of a written-off political leadership." Then, for the first time, another Václav spoke to the 200 thousand people - one who became a symbol of the revolutionary days and later the new head of the Czech state - Václav Havel, hated by the communist regime. By his side in those days stood two other Václavs: Benda and Klaus.

Václav Benda did not fear the monstrous communist regime and remained true to his conscience even in the times that followed. He always made it clear that, just as during totalitarianism, he had no intention of conforming to misguided hypocrisy, attempts to please, and politically correct trends that were increasingly in fashion. Therefore, he never turned away from Václav Havel or Václav Klaus, even when it might have brought him personal or political gain.

Today, President Václav Havel enjoys almost universal respect and has rightfully taken his place in the Czech national pantheon. Meanwhile, President Václav Klaus, a symbol of the nineties and the father of the Czech economic transformation that was a necessary part of it, still bravely defends his views despite all pressures and attacks. It is, therefore, part of the logic and irony of history when, more than ten years ago, on Saint Wenceslas Day, he said that "we are in a time when it is necessary to risk misunderstanding, when it is necessary to expose oneself far more than before to unpleasant conflicts, even though it seems that the other side currently has the upper hand, especially in the media." So it is certainly not surprising when Klaus was recently called a former Putin's governor in the Czech Republic by another Václav, this time Moravec, and when he is a favourite target of public pillory for alleged or real shortcomings and transgressions.

Bohemia is a small country in the middle of Europe, a stream of history. It has experienced many hardships, betrayals, rises and falls, but we are still here. Saint Václav, do not let us or our descendants perish. Give us courage, hope, and faith so we are not afraid to do what is right. And write what we think and what we want.

Saint Wenceslas (c. 907–935)

The story of Saint Wenceslas (Svatý Václav) weaves together faith, politics, and family betrayal in medieval Bohemia. Born around 907 into the Přemyslid dynasty, his path to sainthood began with an education from his grandmother, Saint Ludmila, who nurtured his deep Christian faith. But the royal court was far from peaceful - when Wenceslas's father died, a power struggle erupted between Ludmila and his mother Drahomíra. The conflict ended tragically with Ludmila's murder, a dark prelude to the violence that would later claim Wenceslas himself.

Taking the throne around 921, Wenceslas proved to be a ruler ahead of his time. In an era when might typically made right, he chose diplomacy over warfare. While pragmatic, his decision to pay tribute to the German king Henry the Fowler helped secure Bohemia's position in Central Europe. At home, he built churches, promoted Christianity, and earned a reputation for justice and compassion that would outlive him by centuries.

Yet power attracts danger, even from within one's own family. In 935, Wenceslas's brother Boleslaus, "the Cruel", orchestrated his assassination, turning what should have been a peaceful feast into a scene of betrayal. But Boleslaus's attempt to erase his brother from history had the opposite effect - Wenceslas's martyrdom transformed him into something far more powerful than a duke.

The murdered ruler became Bohemia's eternal patron saint, and his tomb was a sacred pilgrimage site. His legacy grew beyond religious veneration to become a cornerstone of Czech identity, symbolizing the ideals of just leadership and moral courage. Today, his statue stands sentinel over Prague's Wenceslas Square, a reminder of how one leader's commitment to peace and justice can echo through the centuries.

While much of the world knows him through the Victorian Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas," in Czech lands, he remains something far more significant: a symbol of national unity and moral leadership whose influence has endured for over a millennium.

c. 907 - Birth of Wenceslas in BohemiaEuropean Context: The Carolingian Empire had fragmented, and the Magyars were conducting raids across Central Europe.

911 - European Context: The last Carolingian ruler in East Francia dies, paving the way for new dynasties.

919 - Henry I “the Fowler” becomes King of East FranciaInfluence on Bohemia: Foreshadows Bohemia’s diplomatic challenges.

921 - Death of Duke Vratislaus I and regency of DrahomíraMurder of Saint LudmilaEuropean Context: Widespread regional power struggles and shifting alliances as kingdoms define new boundaries.

c. 922–924 - Wenceslas officially becomes Duke of BohemiaEuropean Context: Henry I solidifies rule in East Francia; Bohemia seeks to avoid warfare with its powerful neighbor.

929 - Possible date of tribute agreement between Wenceslas and Henry I, ensuring peace.

929 or 935 - Assassination of Wenceslas by his brother BoleslausEuropean Context: Central Europe is a patchwork of Christian polities and pagan enclaves; soon after, Henry I’s son, Otto I, ascends as King (936), later crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 962.

After 935 - Immediate veneration of Wenceslas as a saint and martyrEuropean Context: The Christianization of Central and Eastern Europe accelerates, with Bohemia firmly in the sphere of influence of emerging “Holy Roman” power structures.