Vratislav II Prince (since 1061) and King (since 1086) of Bohemia Date of Birth: 01.01.1035 Country: Operator

1. Early Life and Accession to the Moravian Duchy
2. Reign as Duke of Bohemia
3. Foreign Policy and Alliances
4. Support for Henry IV and Military Engagements
5. Royal Coronation and Later Reign

Early Life and Accession to the Moravian Duchy

Vratislav II, born into the Přemyslid dynasty, was the son of Břetislav I and Judith of Schweinfurt. Upon his father's death in 1055, Vratislav assumed the title of Duke of Olomuouc and ruled over Moravia. However, conflicts with his older brother, Spytihněv II, forced him to flee to Hungary, from which he later regained Olomuouc with Hungarian support.

Reign as Duke of Bohemia

In 1061, following Spytihněv's death and reconciliation, Vratislav became the Duke of Bohemia, relocating his residence to Prague from Olomouc. During his reign, he faced challenges from his younger brothers, particularly Jaromír, who became Bishop of Prague.

Vratislav divided Moravia into two parts, granting them as fiefdoms to his brothers, Conrad and Otto. He also established the Bishopric of Olomouc, elevating its importance. He transferred his residence from Hradčany to Vyšehrad.

Foreign Policy and Alliances

Vratislav's foreign policy was largely based on strategic marriages. His first wife was the Hungarian princess Adelaide. After her death, he married the Polish princess Swatawa, but it did not improve relations with Poland, leading to ongoing border skirmishes.

In 1071, Emperor Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire, the overlord of both Bohemia and Poland, summoned Vratislav and Polish King Bolesław II to Meissen, where he forced them to make peace. However, Bolesław soon attacked Bohemia, prompting Henry to plan a campaign against Poland in 1072, which was prevented by internal German affairs.

Support for Henry IV and Military Engagements

Vratislav became embroiled in the German civil wars on the side of Henry IV. Czech forces participated in the battles of Homburg (1075) and Flarchheim (1080), as well as Henry's Italian campaign. These foreign commitments were supplemented by constant localized warfare on the borders with Poland and Silesia.

In recognition of Vratislav's support, Henry granted him the March of Lusatia in 1076. However, the emperor later reversed his decision, replacing Lusatia with the March of Austria. In 1085, after three years, Vratislav surrendered the March of Austria in exchange for the royal title for both Bohemia and Poland.

Royal Coronation and Later Reign

On June 15, 1086, Vratislav II was crowned King of Bohemia in Prague by Bishop Egilbert of Trier. The latter part of his reign was marked by tension with his eldest son, Břetislav II, his designated heir.

Vratislav II died in 1092 from a hunting accident, having fallen from his horse. His four sons from two marriages immediately engaged in a power struggle upon his death. His daughter, Judith, married Vladislav I Herman, Duke of Poland. Vratislav was buried in Vyšehrad.