Spytihněv II, Duke of Bohemia

Spitignew II (also Spitihnew or Spytihnev; Latin: Spitigneus;^[1] Czech: Spytihněv) (1031 – 28 January 1061) was the duke of Bohemia from March 1055 until his death in 1061.^[2] He was the eldest son of Bretislaus I. His coronation was celebrated with the first known rendition of Lord, Have Mercy on Us. After succeeding to the throne, he went at once to Regensburg to receive imperial confirmation. This loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire did not prevent him from expelling all Germans from his lands. This new anti-German policy continued to his death.

The Investiture Controversy impending, Pope Victor II sought the alliance of the Bohemian duke. Thus, Rome granted the right to Spitignew of wearing the mitre and tunic of a bishop for the annual sum of 100 marks. His brothers having inherited Moravia, Spitignew tried to reduce their authority by arresting 300 Moravian magnates and stripping his brothers of their rights in the province. Thus, Vratislaus of Olomouc fled to Hungary in 1058.

Spitignew was succeeded by Vratislaus, who in turn entrusted Moravia to his brother Conrad.

Spitignew II was married to Ida of Wettin (Hidda von Eilenburg). Their son Swatobor (Friedrich) entered the church and became Patriarch of Aquileia in 1085. Shortly afterwards, on 23 Feb 1086, he was murdered.^[3]

Ancestry

Ancestors of Spytihněv II, Duke of Bohemia

16. Boleslaus I of Bohemia               8. Boleslaus II of Bohemia                       17. Biagota (?)               4. Oldřich of Bohemia                             9. Emma of Mělník                       2. Bretislaus I of Bohemia                                   10. Křesina                       5. Božena                             1. Spitignew II, Duke of Bohemia                                         12. Berthold                       6. Henry of Schweinfurt                             13. Eilika of Walbeck                       3. Judith of Schweinfurt                                   14. Otto II of Henneberg                       7. Gerberga of Henneberg

Notes

1. In his imperial chronicle the Annalista Saxo mentions "Spitigneus dux de Boemia" in the year 1058: "Iuditha, soror Ottonis ducis de Suinvorde, uxor Bracilai, ductrix Boemiorum, obiit 4. Non. Augusti. Quam quia filius suus Spitigneus dux de Boemia eiecerat, cum non posset aliter iniuriam ulcisci in filio, ad contumeliam eius et omnium Boemorum nupserat Petro regi Ungariorum. Hec postea a filio suo Wratizlao duce inde translata est et Prage sepulta iuxta virum suum Brazilaum in ecclesia." Annalista Saxo, dmgh.de, p.692
2. Spitignew II, Duke of Moravia 1049/54, Duke of Bohemia 1055/61 (1031-28 Jan 1061); m. Hidda, dau of Dietrich Gf von Eilenburg The Dukes and Kings of BOHEMIA, angelfire.com
3. BOHEMIA, fmg.ac

References

• The Dukes and Kings of BOHEMIA, angelfire.com. Spitignew II, Duke of Moravia.