Oldřich(Latin:Odalricus, Udalrichus;German:Odalric, Udalrich;c. 989– 9 November 1034 or 1042), a member of thePřemyslid dynasty,wasDuke of Bohemiafrom 1012 to 1033 and briefly again in 1034. His accession to theBohemianthrone marked the start of a phase of stability after a long period of internal dynastic struggles. Under his rule, theMoravianlands were reconquered fromPolishoccupation.
Oldřich was the fourth (third surviving) son of DukeBoleslaus II of Bohemia(d. 999).[1]Like all his father's children, his mother wasAdiva.Upon the death of his father, his eldest brotherBoleslaus IIIsucceeded as duke, however, he soon entered into a fierce conflict with his younger brothers Oldřich andJaromír.In 1001, both had to flee to theBavariancourt atRegensburg.When Boleslaus III was deposed by the rivalVršovcidynasty the next year and the Polish rulerBolesław I the Braveinvaded Bohemia, KingHenry II of Germanyintervened. As a part of Henry's expedition toPrague,Boleslaus's brothers were able to return to Bohemia, and Jaromír was installed as Bohemian duke in 1004.
Oldřich and his wife Božena enter Prague,Chronicle of Dalimil
In theGerman–Polish Warof 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 sovereignty of the German king. He secured his rule by suppressing the Vršovci insurgents.
Oldřich and his sonBretislaussought to win back Moravia, once conquered from the Poles by Oldřich's grandfather DukeBoleslaus I.Bretislaus and his wifeJudith of Schweinfurttook up residence inOlomouc.In 1029, the Bohemian forces, backed by Holy Roman EmperorConrad II,finally drove the Poles out of the eastern lands. However, Bretislaus's efforts to occupy adjacent territories in what is todaySlovakiaby marching against the forces of theKingdom of Hungaryfailed in 1030 due to the jealousy of the emperor, who reached an agreement with KingStephen I.In the following year, Bohemian forces refused to take the field for the emperor.
In 1032, Duke Oldřich was invited to theHoftagdiet atMerseburg,but did not appear. His absence raised the ire of the emperor and Conrad, busy with events inBurgundy,charged his sonHenry IIIwith punishing the recalcitrant Bohemian. Oldřich was arrested, deposed and sent to Bavaria. He was again replaced by his brother Jaromír. However, when Oldřich was pardoned the next year, he returned to Bohemia and had Jaromír captured and deposed. He seized power again and drove out Jaromír's son from Moravia.
Oldřich died abruptly on 9 November 1034 and later examination of his skeleton reveal his skull to have suffered a fatal blow. Jaromír then renounced the throne in favour of his nephew Bretislaus.
According to legend rendered by the medieval chroniclerCosmas of Prague,Duke Oldřich about 1002 married aBožena,daughter of Křesina, after discarding his first wife on the grounds that they were childless. Together they had a son:
Bretislaus I(1002/1005–1055),[2]Duke of Bohemia from 1035 until his death
Wolverton, Lisa (2001).Hastening Toward Prague: Power and Society in the Medieval Czech Lands.University of Pennsylvania Press.
Krofta, Kamil (1957). "Bohemia to the Extinction of the Premyslids". In Tanner, J.R.; Previte-Orton, C.W.; Brooke, Z.N. (eds.).Cambridge Medieval History: Victory of the Papacy.Vol. VI. Cambridge University Press.
