Czech lands

TheCzech landsor theBohemian lands^[1]^[2]^[3](Czech:České země,pronounced[ˈtʃɛskɛːˈzɛmɲɛ]) is a historical-geographical term that, in a historical context, refers the threehistorical regionsofBohemia,Moravia,andCzech Silesiatogether beforeCzechoslovakiaand later theCzech Republicwere formed. Together the three have formed the Czech part of Czechoslovakia since 1918 and the Czech Republic since 1 January 1993.

In a historical context, Czech texts use the term to refer to any territory ruled by theKings of Bohemia,i.e., thelands of the Bohemian Crown(země Koruny české) as established by EmperorCharles IVin the 14th century. This would include territories like theLusatias(which in 1635 fell toSaxony) and the whole ofSilesia,all ruled fromPrague Castleat that time. After the conquest of Silesia by thePrussiankingFrederick the Greatin 1742, the remaining lands of the Bohemian Crown—Bohemia, Moravia andAustrian Silesia—have been more or less co-extensive with the territory of the modern-day Czech Republic.^{[citation needed]}

The oldest depiction of coat of arms of Bohemia (left) and Moravia (right), castle Gozzoburg inKrems,fresco painting from the beginning of the 13th century

Alternative names

The term Czech lands has been used to describe different things by different people. While the Czech name of Bohemia proper isČechy,the adjectivečeskýrefers to both "Bohemian" and "Czech". The non-auxiliary term (i.e. the term used in official Czech geographical terminology lists) for the present-day Czech lands (i.e. Bohemia, Moravia, Czech Silesia) isČesko,documented as early as 1704.^{[citation needed]}

During the period of the First and Second Czechoslovak Republic the Czech lands were frequently referred to asHistorical landsin particular when mentioned together withSlovakia(which was never an autonomous historical region within theKingdom of Hungary).

History

The Bohemian lands had been settled by Celts (Boii) from 5th BC until 2nd AD, then by various Germanic tribes (Marcomanni,Quadi,Lombardsand others) until they moved on to the west during theMigration Period(1st–5th century). At the beginning of the 5th century the population decreased vigorously and, according tomythologyled by a chieftainČech,the firstWestern Slavscame in the second half of the 6th century. In the course of the decline of theGreat Moravianrealm during theHungarian invasions of Europein the 9th and 10th century, the CzechPřemyslid dynastyestablished theDuchy of Bohemia.Backed by theEast Frankishkings, they prevailed against the reluctant Bohemian nobility and extended their rule eastwards over the adjacentMoravianlands.

In 1198 DukeOttokar I of Bohemiareceived the royal title by theGerman anti-king Philip of Swabia.Attached to hisKingdom of Bohemiawas theMargraviate of Moraviaestablished in 1182 andKłodzko Land,the laterCounty of Kladsko.From the second part of the 13th century onwards,German colonists( "German Bohemians") settled in the mountainous border area on the basis of the kings' invitation during theOstsiedlung(inPraguethey lived already from the early 12th century) and lived alongside the Slavs.

The Silesian lands north of theSudetesmountain range had been ruled by the PolishPiast dynastyfrom the 10th century onwards. While Bohemia rose to a kingdom, theSilesian Piastsalienated from the fragmentingKingdom of Poland.After in 1310 the Bohemian crown had passed to the mightyHouse of Luxembourg,nearly allSilesian dukespledged allegiance to KingJohn the Blindand in 1335 the Polish kingCasimir III the Greatofficially renounced Silesia by theTreaty of Trentschin.King John had also acquired the lands ofBautzenandGörlitz(laterUpper Lusatia) in 1319 and 1329. His son and successor Charles IV, alsoKing of the Romanssince 1346, incorporated the Silesian and Lusatian estates into the Bohemian Crown and upon his coronation asHoly Roman Emperorconfirmed their indivisibility and affiliation with theHoly Roman Empire.

In 1367 Emperor Charles IV also purchased the formerMarch of Lusatia(Lower Lusatia) in the northwest. However, during theThirty Years' Warboth Lusatias passed to the Electorate of Saxony by thePeace of Prague.After the Bohemian Crown (Crown of Saint Wenceslas) passed to theHouse of Habsburgin 1526, the Bohemiancrown landstogether with theKingdom of Hungaryand theAustrian"hereditary lands" became part of the largerHabsburg monarchy.In 1742 the Habsburg queenMaria Theresalost the bulk of Silesia to Prussia upon theFirst Silesian War,part of theWar of the Austrian Succession.

The Czech state in form ofDuchy of Bohemia(green) in 11th century, within the Holy Roman Empire (light green).
Czech lands in form ofLands of the Bohemian Crown(red) in the 17th century, within Holy Roman Empire

Coats of arms

The coat of arms of the Czech Republic incorporates those of the three integral Czech lands: Bohemia proper, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. The arms of Bohemia originated with the Bohemian kingdom, like those of Moravia with the Moravian margraviate. The arms of Czech Silesia originated as those of all of the historical region of Silesia, much of which is now inPoland.