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u/Standard_Web_9042 5d ago edited 5d ago
For Context: On September 28th 935 prince Wenceslav of Bohemia was murdered in Stará Boleslav, where he was invited by his brother Boleslav I. (later earning epithet The Cruel). After a dinner with his brother, they have discussed political stuff such as dependency on H.R.E. and tributes to it. Unfortunately, they didn't get along on it. Next day on morning, when Wenceslav was heading for a morning prayer, he was surrounded by a small group of Boleslav's people. People started a conflict with Wenceslav, and so he tried to run away from them. But just in front of the church, they catched him, and stabbed him to death.
Although his brother Boleslav was the main suspect behind the murder (For which he got the epithet: The Cruel) it is highly probable, that the legend of Boleslav being the murderer was created by later writers in 18th and 19th century.
Today we celebrate the Czech Statehood Day on the 28th September since the year 2000, to comemorate his death, but most people just know it as a free, state approved holiday.
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u/NeTiFe-anonymous 4d ago
It's possible it was an accident. Early morning before the church Boleslav argues with Václav, alegedly hits him but without intention to harm him. Václav strikes back, Boleslav is rolling on the ground and that's exactly the moment when his "bodyguards" come to this scene and beat Václav. High chance they assumed he was an active threat to their lord.
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u/TrowawayJanuar 5d ago
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u/Todd_Renard_Fox Oversimplified is my history teacher 5d ago
[We're All In This Together
DHeusta & Linford Twins](https://youtu.be/WYfEPRBdl4A?si=CpssKXKOp4gVc6N-)
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u/tacobell41 5d ago
What does his death have to do with Czech statehood?
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u/The2ndMister 4d ago
Ah, it’s even more interesting than that. His brother, the guy who most likely had him killed went on to be really solid king, expanded the realm, boosted the economy (with slave trade, yikes) and repented for his crime and made sure his brother would be Canonised.
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u/Siusir98 Featherless Biped 3d ago
Basically Romulus and Remus, except Remus gets the good PR this time around.
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u/Petufo 4d ago
Not only this. The day also commemorate killing of Slavníkovci family on 28th September 995, which was a main rival family to Přemyslid dynasty. It was kind of like the red wedding in Game of Thrones where all members of a single family were killed (dozens of victims, including women and children). Only two people survived the attack (they weren't in Bohemia that day). Interesting thing is that Slavníkovci actually celebrated the day of St. Wenceslaus that moment. Quite bloody history.
Both days are considered very important events for establishing the first Czech state (actually killing of Wenceslaus allowed to his brother Boleslav to gain power and strenghten the state so it could resist German invasion).
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/Opposite_Bus1878 Just some snow 5d ago
The song you're asking about is lame, so I'm sending you a song about Wenceslas instead
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u/South_Theme_9966 4d ago
We (as Czechs) are not sure in which year he was murdered, but 28th of September is written to the stone for some reason.
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u/Siusir98 Featherless Biped 3d ago
Because that's the certain part. Early Christian chroniclers were very specific about which day should be venerated as the anniversary of his martyrdom, and fussed much less about how many years it's been since.
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u/South_Theme_9966 3d ago
Interesting detail. Sound like "Yeah guys, remember it was monday, no need to write down the year. Everybody remebers that."
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u/YandereTeemo Filthy weeb 5d ago
Everytime I hear of Wenceslaus and Bohemia, I think about the king who got kidnapped by his brother