Charles IV
It's time now for this week's edition of Czechs in History, and this week Nick Carey takes a look at the life of the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV...
There can be little doubt as to the influence of, Karel, or Charles IV, on the history of the Czech Republic. Simply by wandering around the centre of Prague, you can find his mark. There is Charles University, founded by Charles IV, the world famous Charles Bridge, commissioned by Charles IV, and Charles Square, an important part of Prague's New Town, which again, Charles IV had set in motion. There is also Karlstejn Castle not far from Prague, plus the famous spa town Karlovy Vary, where Charles IV is rumoured to have discovered the springs there whilst hunting a stag. Bearing in mind that he died over five hundred years ago, it is not hard to see that Charles IV can be considered one of the most greatest Czechs in History.
Charles IV, christened Vaclav, or Wenceslas, was born in Prague at around six o'clock in the morning, on Friday May 14th, 1316, the son of John of Luxembourg. After the Premyslid Dynasty, which had ruled the Czech Lands from the tenth century, died out in 1306, John of Luxembourg was elected king by the Czech nobility. As some of the nobility opposed John of Luxembourg's rule, the king feared for the life of his infant son. According to Miroslav Polivka from the Historical Institute of the Academy of Sciences, John then took action to protect him:
"John of Luxembourg did not face an easy task. The Czech nobles fought amongst themselves and against him, and to protect Charles from assassination attempts, he first had him kept in various castles around the Czech Lands, and then had him sent to France for safekeeping."
In France, young Vaclav was re-christened Charles, in honour of France's King Charles. Whilst in France, Charles also received an education. According to Larry Cada of the Czech Bishops' Conference in Prague, during this time he met another future influential European figure:
It was also during his first year in France that Charles IV was married, still aged only seven, to a French princess, Blanche of Valois.
Charles IV returned to Prague in 1333, aged seventeen, and applied himself to re-learning Czech. As his father was often absent, he had to assume an important role. Miroslav Polivka:
"John of Luxembourg was not fond of Prague. He was a warlike king who fought in various wars the length and breadth of Europe. Charles worked hard to turn Prague into an important royal seat, as he saw the foundation of his future kingdom there. John of Luxembourg did not impose any restrictions on him, and it was not long before Charles became the joint ruler of the Czech Lands."
In 1344, during his time as joint ruler, Charles undertook one of his most important acts on the religious and political front. Larry Cada of the Czech Bishops' Conference:
In the 1340s, Charles came into conflict with one of his German neighbours, Ludwig of Bavaria, who was at that time the Roman King. Charles used his influence with his friend, Pope Clement VI, to have Ludwig stripped of his title, and to have himself crowned as the Roman King in his place in 1346.
In 1347, John of Luxembourg was killed at the Battle of Crecy in France, and Charles, now aged thirty one, was crowned king of the Czech Lands. Almost immediately, he commissioned the construction of the New Town in Prague, and architects and masons from Italy and France poured in to help build it. In the same year, Prague University, now called Charles University, was founded. This was the first university east of the Alps, and was of great importance to the city. Larry Cada:
In 1355, Charles IV was elected Holy Roman Emperor, and spent much of his reign trying to gain political stability for his kingdom, which now included Hungary and other small states that he had managed to acquire. Stability was necessary, as he wanted to pass on not only the title of Czech King, but also that of Holy Roman Emperor, to his heir. This, however, was a problem at first. Miroslav Polivka:
"Charles IV was married to Blanche of Valois at the age of seven, and despite the fact that they had a very happy marriage, which lasted up until Blanche's death in 1348, it was a childless union. Blanche was, however, the first of Charles IV's four wives, and his luck changed with his three subsequent wives, two of which he also outlived, who altogether bore him twelve children."
Charles IV's father, John of Luxembourg, was, as we already know, a military-minded man. Charles IV, however, after receiving an education in Paris, was a highly-educated, literate man, who was fluent in several languages. Throughout his reign, he chose whenever possible, not to use force, but instead preferred to rely on other means to obtain results. Larry Cada:
Towards the end of his life, Charles IV wrote his autobiography, and from this account, it is clear that he was a religious man as well as a diplomat. Larry Cada again:
Charles IV died of pneumonia on November 29th 1378, aged sixty two. With so much of his legacy still visible today, what importance does he have for the Czech people? Larry Cada of the Czech Bishops' Conference:
