THE STORY OF BOHEMIA.
Chapter I.
FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY.
The earliest historical account of the country of Bohemia reaches back into the fourth century B. C. According to Tacitus, the Boi, a Gallic tribe, crossed the Rhine, settled in this region, and from them the country derived its name.
The Boi were the fiercest of the Gallic tribes. Being far removed from the influence of Rome, they knew none of the luxuries of civilization, and consequently were more hardy and able to withstand the attacks of the surrounding tribes. Finally, weakened by internal strifes, they were overcome, scattered, and passed away from the country, leaving no trace of themselves but a few names; such as Vltava, Moravia, Brna, Beroun, and others.
The Boi were succeeded by the Marcomanni, who held the country till about the beginning of the fifth century A. D., when they in their turn were driven out, and the country was settled by a Slavic race. They came from the east, under the leadership of Čech, and finding the country uninhabited, decided to take it their home. They called themselves Čechs, from their leader, and the country Čechy; but the surrounding Germanic tribes continued to call the country Bohemia, from the Boi, and the people Bohemians.
The Slavs, and hence also the Čechs, were of medium size, heavily built, had dark-blue eyes, round faces, fair complexion, and brown hair.Characteristics of the Slavs. They were a hardy race, patiently enduring all hardships; such as hunger and thirst, heat and cold. They were experts in regard to rowing and swimming. They lived in settled communities, engaged in raising cattle, agriculture, and various mechanical arts. They built their houses of hewn timber, seeking the most solitary places for their location, in order to escape the depredations of roving, warlike tribes. For themselves, they loved not war, and took up arms only in self-defense.
The country being surrounded by Germanic tribes, that subsisted mostly by plundering their neighbors, Samo—about 600 A. D.the Čechs suffered much from the inroads made into their territory; and, doubtless, would have been destroyed, and passed away from the earth unknown to history, like many other nations before them, had they not found a mighty deliverer in Samo, one of the greatest warriors of that age.
Samo came from the land of the Franks, but it is supposed that he was a Slav, and went to the Bohemians to escape the destruction or bondage that threatened him from the overwhelming numbers of his enemies. The Avers, at this time, rising against the Bohemians, Samo carried on a long and bloody war against them, until their power was forever broken. The nation, out of gratitude, made Samo their ruler; and for many years lived in peace and security.
This great warrior attempted to establish a Slavic State, whose center should be Bohemia. He carried on many wars, especially with the Franks. The king of the Franks, Dagobert, sent messengers to Samo demanding that restitution be made to some of his subjects, who claimed that they had been wronged by the Slavs. As Samo would not grant the request, the Franks prepared for war, calling to their aid the Longobards and Allamans. The southwestern part of Bohemia was soon overrun by the enemy; and for a while destruction seemed to threaten the country. But Samo, having prepared his army, made a fierce attack upon them; a battle, raging for three days, was fought at Domaslitz (Taus), in which the Franks were totally defeated and compelled to flee, leaving their baggage behind them.
After the death of Samo, for a period of about 150 years, very little is known of Bohemia. The great State he had established was broken up, the Servians, Moravians, Čechs, and other tribes, that had been subject to him, became independent, living under their own rulers and princes.
The few historical facts in regard to this period are collected from tradition, from songs, from contemporary histories of other nations, and from the poems of the Queen’s Court manuscript.Krok and his Daughters. Although there is little authentic history in regard to Krok and his daughters, their names are so interwoven into the literature of the country, that some knowledge of them is indispensable to the thoughtful student.
Krok was the ruler of Bohemia about a hundred years after Samo. On account of his valor and wisdom, he was greatly beloved; and people from far and near came to him to settle their controversies. He had three daughters, Kasa, Tetka, and Libuse, who also were renowned for their learning and wisdom. Palacký remarks that it is very probable that Krok either had sent his daughters to other lands to be educated, or had obtained teachers for them to instruct them in all the learning of the day.
Kasa was well versed in the knowledge of plants, especially in regard to their medicinal powers; she also excelled in the mechanic arts and occupations. Although she was looked upon as a witch, she was nevertheless held in great honor.
Tetka was the priestess of the nation. Besides conducting religious services, she instructed the people about their gods, and the manner of worshiping them. The fortress Tetin, not far from Beroun, was named after her.
Libuse, the youngest, excelled her sisters in both gifts of mind and heart. Having a wide reputation for wisdom, deep penetration of mind, and great beauty and strength of character, she was greatly beloved, and when her father died, was chosen to be his successor. She ruled her people in a wise, statesmanlike manner. Her court was held in Vyšehrad, the ancient seat of government. On occasions of great moment, all three sisters sat together for judgment.
The people loved Libuse, and rendered her unquestioning obedience. This, however, did not last. The trouble arose out of a quarrel two brothers had over their inheritance. According to the laws of the land, the property had been divided equally between them; but this did not satisfy the elder, who claimed he ought to have a larger share. As the princess could not grant his request without violating the ancient customs, he became rebellious; found fault with her whole government, and finally, before all the people, cursed the land that was governed by a woman, and pointing to the neighboring nations—the Germans—declared that there the laws were just, since the country was governed by men. Libuse, perceiving that Chrudos would not have dared to speak to her thus, had he not had moral support among the other men, at once resigned her authority, and advised them, if the hand of a woman was too light to rule them, to choose a man. This, however, they refused to do, but asked her to choose a husband, and that the two could rule conjointly, and that the nation would be obedient to them.
Libuse sent messengers to a certain peasant in the village of Staditz named Premysl, offering him her hand and the government of the country. He received the message joyfully, and, leaving his oxen in the field, he mounted the horse they brought him, and rode to Vysehrad to meet his future wife.
Premysl[1] was the first ruler of the dynasty of the Premyslides, who ruled Bohemia for six centuries.
Premysl proved to be a wise and able ruler. He passed many new laws for the government of his people. Indeed, the ancient writers were in the habit of referring the old laws to the reign of Premysl and Libuse. After her marriage, Libuse founded the city of Prague, prophesying its future greatness and glory.
To this period belongs the curious story of the war that the women carried on against the men. It was related that after Libuse’s death, The Maidens’ War.the women were not satisied with the government of the men, and so determined to cast off their authority. Vlasta, who had been one of the friends of Libuse, became their leader, and under her able generalship many brilliant victories were won. At first the men felt inclined to treat this uprising with scorn; but seeing how determined the women were, and what success crowned their deeds of valor, they became thoroughly roused, attacked the stronghold of Devin[2] with great fury, and compelled the women to surrender. Thus the power of woman was forever broken in Bohemia, and from that time on she was compelled to occupy an inferior position.
BOHEMIA AND CHARLEMAGNE.
After the coronation of Charlemagne in 800, he was more zealous than ever in his work of Christianizing the surrounding nations, Bohemia being included in that number. In 805 a vast German army invaded the country, offering Christianity or death to the terrified inhabitants. The Bohemians, taken by surprise, were not prepared for war; consequently, dared not meet the enemy in open battle. They therefore resorted to a guerrilla mode of warfare. Forming themselves into small bands, they fell upon the enemy from their hiding-places, killed all they could, and, before the enemy recovered from its surprise, they were gone. The army remained in Bohemia for forty days; but, with the exception of devastating the fields, it accomplished nothing. The following year another expedition was fitted out, but met with no more success than the first. Charlemagne did not succeed, either in compelling the Bohemians to accept baptism or to pay tribute. Christianity was introduced into the country later, but from another direction, and by quite a different method—it came to Bohemia from her sister province of Moravia.
Under the government of Samo, Moravia and Bohemia had been united; but after his death, each became independent. To escape the ravaging army of Charlemagne, the Moravian princes had accepted him as their liege lord. About the middle of the ninth century, Prince Moimir ruled in Moravia. He accepted Christianity, and, by remaining faithful to his lord, Louis the Pious, secured peace for his dominions.
- ↑ Note.—Among the Slavs, when a prince was initiated into his office, he was clothed in plain garments and led to the seat or throne prepared for him, and not until then was he allowed to assume his princely robes. This was to show that princes came from the people, and hence derived their authority from them.
- ↑ Maidenfort.