700 t h anniversary o f t h e w e d d i n g o f Jo h n o f Lu x e m b o u r g a n d El i s a b e t h o f Pr e m y s l i d e s 700 t h anniversary o f t h e w e d d i n g o f Jo h n o f Lu x e m b o u r g a n d El i s a b e t h o f Pr e m y s l i d e s

On the occasion of the issue of a silver coin commemorating the 700th anniversary of the royal marriage of John of Luxembourg and Elisabeth of Premyslides and the accession of the Luxembourg to the Czech , the Czech National Bank has issued 500 copies of these brochures.

Author: Naďa Kubů, Ph. D. Graphic design: Jáchym Šerých Photographs from the National Heritage Institute

Prague, 2010 Naďa Kubů, Ph. D.

700th Anniversary of the Wedding of John of Luxembourg and Elisabeth of Premyslides

The year 2010 is the 700th anniver- After the of the last mem- sary of the accession of the Lux- ber of the ruling family of Premys- embourg dynasty to the throne of lides Wenceslas III († 1306) the Bo- Bohemia; their members, each in hemian parliament met to decide their different way, but definitive- on a new king. The session of the ly, inscribed themselves into the parliament respected dynastic re- history of the Czech kingdom. lationships and inheritance law of the Premyslides in the female line. The ancient, though at first not The daughters of Wenceslas II so significant, family of Luxem- – Anna, Elisabeth and Margaret bourg traced its origin from Sieg- from Wenceslas’s first marriage fried, who lived in the 10th centu- with Judith (Guta) Habsburg, but ry, and who in 963 secured from also Anežka (Agnes of Bohemia), the monastery St. Maximin de daughter of Elisabeth Richeza Trêves (Trier), ownership of the of (Eliška Rejčka) – were castle of Luxembourg. Despite dy- principally entitled to lay claim to nastic problems, when the Luxem- the succession. In this period the bourg heritage was passed down only unmarried one, except for through the female line, they the one-year old Anežka, was Elis- worked their way up in - abeth. However the Czech crown an politics, and in 1308, thanks could also be passed to the wid- also to the influence of the French owed queens. court, Henry VII of Luxembourg (1274–1313) was elected as King of The Czech Estates negotiated the Romans, and in 1312 crowned in this spirit, and decided that as Holy Roman . the new Bohemian king would

Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg 3 become Rudolf of Habsburg came Henry VII of Luxembourg, (1281 –1307) alongside the queen with close contacts to the French Elisabeth Richeza, his new wife king Philip the Fair. Henry has and the widow of Wenceslas II. several siblings, one of which, Bal- The reign of Rudolf of Habsburg, duin (1285–1354), achieved a great nicknamed “král kaše – king por- ecclestical career as Archbishop ridge”, lasted only a few months. of Trier, and one of the Electors who decided the vote on the King His successor became Henry VI of the Romans. The wife of Hen- of Carinthia (1265–1335), former ry VII of Luxembourg became Bailiff and husband of Anna of Margaret of Brabant, with whom Premyslides, the eldest daughter of he had five children. Their daugh- Wenceslas II. Henry was crowned ters were betrothed to significant in 1307 by the Břevnov abbot European rulers; the eldest Bea- Bavor of Nečtiny, but not even trix became the wife of the Hun- his reign succeeded in stabilising garian king Robert of d’Anjou; the situation in Bohemia. The not another daughter Marie became too capable Henry did not endear the French queen (with whom himself or achieve great popularity Charles IV was later raised). in the Czech lands. In December 1310 Henry of Carinthia and his In this uncertain atmosphere, cul- wife Anna were obliged to leave minating in an uprising by Prague castle, and even Bohemia, patricians against the nobility whence they never returned. with the aim of sharing power in However, despite the early death the country, the idea germinated of Anna of Premyslides in 1313 to offer the Czech royal crown to and their childless marriage he the Luxembourgs. The son of the continued to use the title of King King of the Romans Henry VII – of Bohemia until his death. John of Luxembourg – seemed to be a suitable candidate. The situation in Europe in this pe- riod was not very straightforward. The first born son of Henry VII In 1308 the King of the Romans of Luxembourg and Margaret Albrecht of Habsburg had been of Brabant John of Luxembourg murdered, and the new king be- (1296–1346) was raised at the

John of Luxembourg 5 French ; in Paris he vis- send his only son John to a coun- sites. He even had diplomats from delegation headed again by the ited the university there and re- try, which had internal divisions. the King of the Romans, includ- Cistercian abbots, but above all by ceived an all-round education. He tried to suggest another mem- ing Peter of Aspelt, the Archbish- the important nobles Jan of Var- Church officials, especially from ber of the Luxembourg family as op of Mainz, who were sojourning temberg, Bohuslav of Švamberg Cistercian monasteries, were the bridegroom for the inheritance of in Bohemia, captured. However and others, to the seat of Empire; primary pillar for the election of Elisabeth of Premyslides, for ex- this interference provoked a defin- rich patricians were also represent- a Czech king. The Abbot of the ample his brother Waleram, in his itive rupture between Henry VII ed. The legation arrived in Frank- Zbraslav monastery Konrád was time somewhat notorious for his of Luxembourg and Henry of furt am Main in June 1310, where also able to convince Elisabeth of libertine lifestyle. This idea did Carinthia. Further Czech nobles at the time a general Imperial par- Premyslides (1292–1330), daugh- not go down well with the Czech gradually came over to Henry VII liament was taking place. ter of the Czech king Wenceslas II legation. of Luxembourg’s side. In Prague and Judith (Guta) of Habsburg, in open military clashes between the The legation was given a friendly this period practically the only po- At the beginning of the year 1310 supporters of Henry of Carinthia welcome, because as the chronicler tential wife for the future king, to the Czech side, fortified this time and squads of Bohemian nobili- Peter von Zittau noted, the King of consider a Luxembourg candida- also with representatives of the ty eventually developed, during the Romans was well aware of the ture. Abbot Konrád then became nobility, led further part of the which the Carinthian side was de- reason for their arrival. A magnif- the main person involved in nego- negotiations with Henry VII of feated. icent feast was organised, which tiating on her behalf. Luxembourg. Konrád, the Ab- lasted the whole day, and only af- bot of Zbraslav and Heidenreich, On 29 June 1310 a provincial assem- terwards did they get down to the A delegation of Czech prelates set the Abbot of Sedlec prepared the bly was called, to which Elisabeth negotiations at hand. Once again out for the court of Henry VII of meeting; however the participa- of Premyslides was also famous- Henry offered his brother Waler- Luxembourg, who was supposed- tion and viewpoint of the Czech ly brought; she had to secretly es- am as a candidate for the Czech ly at first surprised by the Czech nobility was important. Jindřich cape from Prague beforehand. The throne and husband for Elisa- suggestions. He did not consider of Rožmberg, Albrecht of Žeberg main aim of the assembly’s negoti- beth. Perhaps he was overly appre- it advantageous to push for the re- and Fridrich of Šumburg were ations was the deposition of Hen- hensive about his only son John, moval of Henry of Carinthia from present on their behalf. A record ry of Carinthia from the Czech who was but 14 years old, had a the Czech throne, and further- of the meeting has been preserved, throne. However even at this point soft French upbringing and didn’t more he was concentrating on his documented in a deed from 31 Jan- the Bohemian nobility was not in speak Czech. Henry was also nerv- own enthronment to the the Im- uary 1310. unison, and the King of the Ro- ous about the insecure Czech en- perial crown, which would elevate mans, Henry VII of Luxembourg, vironment, the disunity of the no- his personal majesty. With regard When Henry of Carinthia found still wavered with his agreement bles there, and thus wavered. to Bohemia, an extinct fiefdom, he out about this meeting he called to the alliance of Elisabeth of Pre- had no interest in acknowledging military reinforcements from Car- myslides with his son John. Fur- However the Czech delegation its right to the election of their own inthia to Bohemia, and occupied ther negotiations continued. The negotiated consistently and diplo- leader, and also he did not want to Prague castle and further strategic assembly despatched a 12-member matically. Peter of Aspelt, who had

6 7 already previously served under dition of Hynek Krušina of Lich- Speyer with the wedding of Elis- wife, as everyone advised, the heir King Wenceslas II, undoubtedly tenburg and Markvart of Zvířetic. abeth and John, which was con- of that kingdom. Righteousness played a significant role. Thanks secrated by the Archbishops of thus entailed that this kingdom to his endeavours and diplomatic On 25 August 1310 Elisabeth of Mainz and Cologne. adopted from the Empire in fief procedure the alliance of John of Premyslides was finally introduced also the title and name. Luxembourg and Elisabeth of Pre- to Henry VII of Luxembourg in The wedding of John of Luxem- myslides was finally arranged. The the Johannite monastery of Hein- bourg and Elisabeth of Premys- The king, clad in festive vest- path to the Czech throne was thus bach near Speyer. The attrac- lides was described in a chronicle ments, with a sceptre in his hand opened to the Luxembourgs, just tive, physically and spiritually ad- from the period of Charles IV – by and a gold crown on his head, sat as the persisting weak and unpop- vanced Elisabeth, dressed in costly Franz of Prague – in chapter XXII on the throne at the church in ular reign of Henry of Carinthia robes, seemed even older beside “How the Emperor famously ar- Speyer. Then came his son John was practically at an end. How- John, four years younger and look- ranged a wedding feast for his son with a procession with pennants ever alongside other conditions ing like a child, so together they and the damsel Elisabeth in Spey- from the Czech kingdom, after Henry VII of Luxembourg speci- affected a very unequal impres- er” roughly as follows: which princes of the Holy Em- fied a request to personally see the sion. Perhaps that is why Henry pire, according to tradition, made Czech princess and for the wed- once again tried to suggest Waler- Because the Holy Roman Emper- an oath. John, the Arcibishop ding to be arranged at the latest by am for the Czech throne and Elis- or ceremoniusly organised his first of Cologne performed the wed- 1 September of the same year. abeth. However the Czech nobil- born son a magnificent wedding, ding service and joined John and ity insisted on their offer. Henry he invited many counts, princes Elisabeth in matrimony. The fol- The legation returned satisfied to called a court parliament and de- and lords, who came with pleasure lowing day Peter the Archbishop Bohemia. It was time to prepare clared in front of all present, that to Speyer. The King command- of Mainz celebrated holy mass. the bridal journey of Elisabeth to in his own name and according to ed that everything should be pre- the court of the King of the Ro- the wish of the Holy Roman Em- pared, as befitted a royal majesty; Apparently before lunch there was mans. pire he was granting the Czech the Cathedral in Speyer was cov- a slight spat between the archbish- kingdom to his son John. And so ered with lawn and crimson. ops about who should sit on the Princess Elisabeth was dispatched this claim would be “more secure”, king’s right, but the king wisely from Prague on 14 August 1310. John would take as his wife the During this event a great feast was calmed the quarrel. During the journey Bishop Jan heir to the Czech lands, Princess arranged, where one merrily ban- of Dražic presented her with a Elisabeth. queted with the bride and her During the celebrations the tables wonderful white horse and sil- bridesmaids. At about 9 o‘clock were laden with various food dish- ver drinking cups decorated with The difficult negotiations about the king began to speak to the es to the accompaniment of trum- gold. In the princess’s entourage the succession of the Luxembourg princes, and in his speech he prom- pets, horns and drums. The weap- were representatives of the nobil- dynasty to the Czech throne ised to entrust the Czech kingdom onry of chivalry was also here, ity who had been members of the were finalised on 31 August and to his son John, and for greater en- protecting the festivities. In the previous delegation, with the ad- 1 September in the Cathedral of titlement he would give him as his centre of the banquet, in front of

8 the royal table a pennant with the ate with the Czech nobility about symbol of the Czech kingdom was future arrangements. The nobles raised. The wedding was lavish wanted above all to retain their and flamboyant, “as had not been powerful position, while thanks seen for many a year at the court to his upbringing John espoused of the Roman king”. After the by contrast the sovereignty of the feast various entertainments took monarch. The couple, who were place; varied dances and chival- crowned in Prague in February ric games. Apparently the whole 1311, were to have a future full of Speyer echoed with exuberant of problems, both political and joy, merriment and jubilation. The personal. However they finally bravery of the Czechs was appre- gave the Kingdom of Bohemia its ciated; no one dared to fight with most significant leader, their son them in a head-on joust on horse- Wenceslas, the future Charles IV, back and if they were not careful it “Father of the Nation”. happened that each would receive a large wound from the lance, or fell from the horse, or their lance would shatter into small piec- es. This they did for the fame and honour of the new bride.

“By evening after the previous blessings the bridegroom and bride were conjoined in bed.” On the second day everyone rose and continued in rejoicing, as on the following days.

However the magnificent wed- ding and sucession to the Czech throne did not stabilise politi- cal conditions in Bohemia. It was necessary to definitively deal with Henry of Carinthia and negoti-

Elisabeth of Premyslides