Wenceslas was considered a martyr and a saint immediately after his death in the 10th century. A Wenceslas cult grew in Bohemia and England. He was considered a righteous king whose power rose from his great piety. He was said to awaken in the night and walk about in bare feet, giving money to the poor and orphans.
Several centuries later, Pope Pius II declared the legend was fact. But, the photo of the statues above is NOT that Wenceslas!
Seriously, it is easy to get them confused. There was also a King Wenceslas I of Bohemia, born 200 yrs later!
In 1228, the other Wenceslas was crowned co-ruler, with his father, of Bohemia. He died in 1253 and his son succeeded him. He was known Under his reign, the royal court came to cultivate lifestyles typical of contemporary Western Europe, including jousting and the enjoyment of courtly poetry and songs. His government is associated with the establishment of Czech statehood, an increase of Czech political influence in Europe, the rise of Czech nobility, and continued development of urban life, trade and crafts.
Wenceslas, like his father and son, supported the arrival of ethnic Germans into the country. He was also the first to allow privileges to the Jews; however, they were expected to pay considerable sums of money for them.
Several centuries later, Pope Pius II declared the legend was fact. But, the photo of the statues above is NOT that Wenceslas!
Seriously, it is easy to get them confused. There was also a King Wenceslas I of Bohemia, born 200 yrs later!
In 1228, the other Wenceslas was crowned co-ruler, with his father, of Bohemia. He died in 1253 and his son succeeded him. He was known Under his reign, the royal court came to cultivate lifestyles typical of contemporary Western Europe, including jousting and the enjoyment of courtly poetry and songs. His government is associated with the establishment of Czech statehood, an increase of Czech political influence in Europe, the rise of Czech nobility, and continued development of urban life, trade and crafts.
Wenceslas, like his father and son, supported the arrival of ethnic Germans into the country. He was also the first to allow privileges to the Jews; however, they were expected to pay considerable sums of money for them.
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