Few medieval romances are as dramatic as the story of Břetislav I, Duke of Bohemia, and Jitka of Schweinfurt. Their relationship, which began with a daring abduction around 1021, became one of the most famous love stories of the Middle Ages and helped shape the future of the Czech lands.

According to medieval chroniclers, Břetislav traveled to a convent in Schweinfurt, Germany, where the noblewoman Jitka was living. Unable to secure a politically acceptable marriage through normal negotiations because of his family's background, Břetislav reportedly carried Jitka away by force—or perhaps with her willing cooperation. While the exact details remain debated by historians, the dramatic event became legendary and symbolized both romance and political ambition.

I can’t think of anywhere I could try to publish this so I’m putting it up here. After the “Beautiful Times” and “The Capital”sections of Czeslas Milosz's “A Treatise on Poetry”“I remember everything.”—”Natura”, MiloszThe calas woman calling over the muddy road,mounted by her tignion like the loa of womanhood. German bakers shape the baguettes, smell of bakingmingled with the persistent smell of…

On July 11, 1362, Anna von Schweidnitz became the first and only woman from the Silesian Piast dynasty to be crowned Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. Born into the ruling family of Świdnica (Schweidnitz), she married Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and became one of the most influential queens of medieval Europe. Her marriage strengthened Charles IV’s ties to Central European territories and helped secure the future of the Luxembourg dynasty.

Elizabeth Stuart, the daughter of King James VI of Scotland and I of England, became one of Europe's most famous—and most unfortunate—queens. In 1613, she married Frederick V, Elector Palatine, a leading Protestant prince in the Holy Roman Empire. Their marriage was celebrated across Europe as a powerful Protestant alliance, but their fortunes would soon take a dramatic turn.

In 1619, Frederick accepted the crown of Bohemia after Protestant nobles rebelled against the Catholic Habsburg emperor. His reign lasted only a single winter before he was defeated at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. Forced into exile, Frederick and Elizabeth fled to the Dutch Republic, earning the enduring nicknames "The Winter King" and "The Winter Queen." Although the title was intended as a mockery, Elizabeth remained a resilient and influential figure throughout her long exile.

In 1436, the long and brutal Hussite Wars in Bohemia reached a formal turning point when the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor moved to secure a negotiated peace with the Hussite factions. The agreement followed years of religious and political conflict sparked by the execution of reformer Jan Hus and the rise of his followers, who challenged both Catholic doctrine and imperial authority within the region.

The half Luxemburger, half Czech Holy Roman Emperor who turned Prague into a European Centre for politics, education and art, and brought about the Golden Age of Bohemia

Early life

Charles IV was born in Prague, 1316 and baptised Václav (Wenceslaus), to King Jan Lucemburský (John the Blind) and Queen Eliška Přemyslovna (Elisabeth) of Bohemia. Following conflict between his parents - likely an attempted plot from his mother to overthrow his father - Charles was moved to the Parisian court of Charles IV of France. Here he would meet Blanche of Valois, his future wife. Their marriage was arranged shortly after and in honour of his new uncle-in-law, Charles IV of France, he would change his name.

At this point, Charles had surprisingly little in terms of formal schooling, but he quickly picked up a deep understanding of politics from Paris' intellectual atmosphere and exposure to scholars at the Paris University. It would be here that he would meet Pierre Roger, a Benedictine abbot. Charles was so captivated by him that he asked the abbot to become his tutor, from whom he would learn - among other subjects - Latin, Roman History and Law.

Time in Italy

In the spring of 1331, Charles would accompany his father on a campaign into Italy and for two years, whilst his father left on other business, Charles was left in charge of many northern Italian cities. These cities were rebellious and cautious of his rule, but his participation in municipal discussions, alongside Roger's education, helped him maintain control.