Boleslaus II, Duke of Bohemia

Boleslaus II the Pious

For another Boleslaus the Pious, see Boleslaus of Greater Poland.

Boleslaus II the Pious (Czech: Boleslav II. Pobožný) (c. 932 - 7 February 999) was Duke of Bohemia from 972, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty.

The son of Boleslaus I and Biagota, Boleslaus II became Duke (or Prince) on his father's death. Boleslaus maintained good relations with the Ottonian German kings, and in 975 supported Otto II during the civil war against Henry II, Duke of Bavaria. In 977, Boleslaus again attacked Bavaria, but on this occasion was barred from annexing any lands by Otto II.

Boleslaus' reign is most notable for the foundation of the Diocese of Prague in 973, placed at that time within the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Mainz. In 982, Adalbert of Prague (later known as Saint Adalbert) was appointed to head the bishopric until he abandoned his primacy to lead a mission to the Old Prussians in 994. War between Poland and Bohemia was continual in this period, and by 990 Boleslaus had occupied Silesia.

On 28 September 995, Boleslaus and his confederate Vršovci stormed Libice in southern Bohemia and massacred the members of the Slavník dynasty. This clan had been the main rival of Přemyslid power in Bohemia. Boleslaus' brutal triumph ensured the unity of Bohemia under a single ruler.

Boleslaus was succeeded by Boleslaus III, his eldest son by his first wife Adiva, perhaps the daughter of Edward the Elder, King of England, who married "a prince near the Alps". His second son Wenceslaus died as an infant, but his two youngest sons, Jaromír and Oldřich, were both later dukes of Bohemia. Boleslaus' second wife was Emma of Mělník.

Notes

Preceded by Boleslaus I

Duke of Bohemia 972–999

Succeeded by Boleslaus III