Union of Slavic Dynasts
Wenceslas I left a rich inheritance to his son Přemysl Otakar II (1253-1278). The Bohemian lands experienced a period of prosperity and the Přemyslids were among the most powerful rulers in Europe. Kutná Hora provided an abundance of silver, and thanks to Přemysl's large income and his generosity, he was known as the "Golden King". The Bohemian Empire grew after Austria to include Styria, Cheb, Carinthia, Carniola and other territories.
Premysl's greatest rival for a long time was Béla IV of Arpad. Their disputes culminated on 12 July 1260 with the Battle of Kressenbrunn. After the intervention of Přemysl's famous Iron Cavalry, which earned him the nickname "Iron King", the Hungarians made a headlong flight. Premysl took Bratislava and Béla had to negotiate peace with him.
After the victory, Přemysl Otakar II wanted to maintain a lasting peace with the Arpad family and political marriages were to help him. He himself, after his divorce from Margaret of Babenberg, married the granddaughter of Béla IV. In addition, he arranged the marriage of Béla's second-born son, also Béla, to his niece Kunhuta of Brandenburg. The wedding took place on 25 October 1264 near Bratislava on Rye Island. During the wedding of Béla and Kunhuta, Přemysl proved to the whole world at that time that his reputation was not false. We follow the most powerful European ruler of the 13th century in a tent city built for this wedding. In the tent where the ceremony took place, he greets his recent adversaries warmly. There is King Daniel of Russia (Halych), King Stephen Uros of Serbia with his two sons Dragutin and Milutin, dukes of Croatia, Bosnia, Transylvania and Bulgaria, princes, counts and knights from Germany, Poland, Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Přemysl Otakar II was the most serious candidate for the post of Roman Emperor, but the Electors preferred to elect an insignificant prince as Emperor - Rudolf of Habsburg. Even the peace won by political marriages did not last long. The Hungarians invaded Moravia again in 1273 and Přemysl Otakar II had to face the onslaught of the new Roman Emperor's troops in 1276. The truce he was forced to conclude with Rudolf cost him numerous territories. Many Bohemian lords also opposed Přemysl Otakar. The final clash took place on 26 August 1278 at the Battle of Moravian Field, where Přemysl Otakar II was defeated and killed in battle.
Vita App/gnews.cz-Jana Černá_07
English 
Czech