Oldřich of Bohemia
| Oldřich | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Bohemia | |
Depiction in the Chronicle of Dalimil, 14th century
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| Spouse(s) | unidentified noblewoman Božena (morganatic) |
| Noble family | Přemyslid dynasty |
| Father | Boleslaus II of Bohemia |
| Mother | Adiva or Emma of Mělník |
| Born | c. 975 |
| Died | 11 November 1034 |
Oldřich (Latin: Odalricus, Udalrichus, German: Odalric, Udalrich; c. 975 – 9 November 1034), a member of the Přemyslid dynasty, was Duke of Bohemia from 1012 to 1033 and briefly again in 1034. His accession to the Bohemian throne marked the start of a phase of stability after a long period of internal dynastic struggles. Under his rule, the Moravian lands were reconquered from Polish occupation.
Oldřich was the third son of Duke Boleslaus II of Bohemia (d. 999) and one of his father's two wives: Adiva or Emma of Mělník. Upon the death of his father, his eldest brother Boleslaus III succeeded as duke, however, he soon entered into a fierce conflict with his younger brothers Oldřich and Jaromír. In 1001, both had to flee to the Bavarian court at Regensburg. When Boleslaus III was deposed by the rival Vršovci dynasty the next year and the Polish ruler Bolesław I the Brave invaded Bohemia, King Henry II of Germany intervened. As a part of Henry's expedition to Prague, Boleslaus's brothers were able to return to Bohemia, and Jaromír was installed as Bohemian duke in 1004.
In the German–Polish War of 1002-18, Duke Jaromír remained a loyal supporter of the German king. Nevertheless, Henry did not take action when he was deposed and blinded by his brother Oldřich on 12 April 1012. While Jaromír fled to Poland, Oldřich recognised the suzerainty of the German king. He secured his rule by suppressing the Vršovci insurgents.
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