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The Lands of the Bohemian Crown, often called Czech lands in modern times, were a number of incorporated states in Central Europe during the medieval and early modern periods connected by feudal relations under the joint rule of the Bohemian kings. The crown lands primarily consisted of the Kingdom of Bohemia, an electorate of the Holy Roman Empire according to the Golden Bull of 1356, the Margraviate of Moravia, the Duchies of Silesia, and the Lusatias, as well as other territories throughout its history.

The joint rule of Corona regni Bohemiae was legally established by decree of the Bohemian king Charles IV of Luxembourg issued on 7 April 1348, on the foundation of the original Czech lands ruled by the Přemyslid dynasty until 1306. By linking the territories, the interconnection of crown lands thus no more belonged to a king or a dynasty but to the Bohemian monarchy itself, symbolically personalized by the Crown of Saint Wenceslas. Under the rule of Ferdinand I from 1526, the lands of the Boheman Crown became a constituent part of the Habsburg Monarchy. Later they passed to the Austrian Empire and the Cisleithanian half of Austria-Hungary. By the Czechoslovak declaration of independence in 1918, the remaining Czech lands became part of the First Czechoslovak Republic.

The Bohemian Crown was neither a personal union nor a federation of equal members. Rather, the Kingdom of Bohemia had a higher status than the other incorporated constituent countries. There were only some common state institutions of the Bohemian Crown and they didn't survive the centralization of the Habsburg Monarchy under Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century. The most important of them was the Bohemian Court Chancellery which was united with the Austrian Chancellery in 1749.

 

In a historical context, Czech texts use the term to refer to any territory ruled by the Kings of Bohemia, i.e., the lands of the Bohemian Crown (země Koruny české) as established by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century. This would include territories like the Lusatias (which in 1635 fell to Saxony) and the whole of Silesia, all ruled from Prague Castle at that time. After the conquest of Silesia by the Prussian king Frederick the Great in 1742, the remaining lands of the Bohemian Crown—Bohemia, Moravia and Austrian Silesia—have been more or less co-extensive with the territory of the modern-day Czech Republic

 

Přemysl Ottokar II the Great

*1230-†1278

Markgrave of Moravia 1247

Counter King 31.06.1248

Occupation of Austria & Stiria 1251-1254

¥ Margaretha of Austria 1252

King of Bohemia 1253-1278

¥ Kunegonde of Galicia 1261

Crowned 25.12.1261

Duke of Austria and Stiria 1261-1276

Duke of Carinthia and Krain 1269-1276

 

Counter King

 

1248 Equestrian seal: Arms: Lion: L.: X PREMIZL DEI • GRACIA • IUVENIS • REX • BOEMORUM. (Seyler Gesch. p. 250)

 

Przemisl Ottokar erhielt 1249 (= 1247) die Markgrafschaft Mähren. In seinem Siegel führt er nun zwar einen berichtigten Titel: S PREMIZL FILII REG BOEMORUM MARCHIONIS MORAVIE aber den Löwenschild behielt er bei, selbst dann noch als er nach dem Tode seines Vaters († 22.September 1253) König geworden war. (Seyler Gesch. p 250)

 

1249 Seal:

Arms: Leeuw en adelaar

L.: S PREMIZL • FILII • REGIS • BOEMORUM • MARCHIONIS • MORAVIA.

 

1251 In  1251 Ottokar occupied Austria and Stiria which Frederick II had taken back after the death of Duke Frederik. In 1252 he married the widow of King Henrry VII, Margarethe of  Babenberg.

 

King of Bohemia

 

1253 After the death of his father he continued the alliance with the Hohenstaufen but he opposed strongly the election of Conradin as a Roman King, King of Bohemia

 

 

Equestrian Seal, 1253

 

Arms: Lion. On the horsecloth an eagle, a lion (pantel?) and an eagle.

On the pennon: A pantel

Crest: A pair of wings.

Legend: X S OTAKARI DEI GRACIA QVINTI REGIS BOEMORVM MORAVIA MARCHIONIS.

 

In 1254 he ceded Stiria but in 1261 he became a duke of Stiria and Austria 

 

1261 Seal of Majesty The King seated with crown, lily-sceptre and globe. L.: X S OTAKARI : (SIVE: ) PREMIZLAI • QVINTI • REGIS • BOEMOR • MARCHIONI / MORAVIA • FILII • WENZEZLAI • REGIS • QUARTI.

 

 

1261 Equestrian seal: The  King on horseback with banner. Arms: 1.Babenberg. 2. Bohemia; 3. Moravia; 4. Stiria.

Legend:  X S OTAKARI : DEI • GRA • REGIS • BOEMOR • QUINTI MORAV • MARCHIONIS • AVSTRIE • ET • STIRIE • DVCIS.

(Nürnberg, Germanische Nationalmuseum. Perg. Urk. 10, 250: 1275, April 21. Die Zeit. N° 87. Abb. 38-39)

 

Seal of  Przemysl Ottokar II, 1273. Reverse

 

Arms: Babenberg, Carinthia, Moravia and Stiria.

Bannner: Bohemia.

Crest. Przemysl.

Legend: X S OTAKARI DEI (GRA)CIA DVCIS AVSTRIE • STIRIE • DOMINI CARNIOLE • MARCHIE • PORTVSNAONIS.

(Fox-D. Pl. cxxxvi, 1)

 

Coats of arms of the Bohemian Monarchy

Hall of the coats of arms, Gozzoburg, Krems

 

The arms of Bohemia, Austria, Stiria and Moravia. On the far left the arms of Silesia.

 

Being one of the most powerful princes of the time he was a candidate to be elected a Roman King during the interegnum. He opposed stubbornly the election of Conradin. He did not recognize the election of Rudolf of Habsburg which resulted in being excluded from the empire and a war. In a following Peace of Vienna of 1276 he had to pay homage for Bohemia and Moravia and had to abandon his claims on Austria, Stiria, Carinthia, Krain and Egeland

 

In 1276 moest Przemysl Ottokar bij de Vrede van Wenen tegenover King Rudolf I voor Bohemia en Moravië de leeneed opnieuw afleggen.

 

1278 Ottokar was killed at his attempt to reconquer the duchy of Austria at the Battle of the Marchfeld at Dürnkrut, 26 August 1278.

Tomb of Přemysl Ottokar II the Great

 

Wenceslas II of Bohemia

*1271 - † 1305

King of Bohemia 1283-1305

¥ Elizabeth of Poland 1300

King of Poland 1300-1305

 

Equestrian Seal of King Wenceslas II

 

Arms: Poland, Bohemia, Silesia (?) Moravia .

Banner: Bohemia

 

King Wenceslas of Bohemia

In: Manesse-Codex fol. 10 r°

 

1300 ca. Arms:: 1. Rood, een witte leeuw met dubbele gekruiste staart en gouden kroon. H.: Een zwarte vlucht en rode helmkleden. (Bohemia). 2. Blauw, een rood-goud geblokte adelaar. H.: Een van zwart en goud gedwarsbalkte vlucht en rode helmkleden.

 

Wenceslas III  of Bohemia

 *1289 - †1306

King of  Hungary 1301-1305

King of Bohemia 1305-1306

King of Poland 1305-1306

 

Arms: Patriarchal cross on three hills

 

 

[A coat of arms, probably of Wenceslas II or III, I found in Armorial Bergshammer fol 94r°, n° 1307, and ascribed to Trient:

 

Arms:¼ 1& 4: Argent, an eagle Sable; 2&3 Gules, an eagle Argent.

This could have been the arms of Wenceslas II, resp. Wenceslas III. that is to say quarterly of  Bohemia en Poland. Het wapen staat bij Austria.

 

This is of Alexander of Masovia, bishop of Trento, 1425-†1444.]

 

House of Habsburg

 

Rudolf III

*1282-†1307

Duke of Austria 1298-1307

¥ Elizabeth of Poland, wid. of Wenceslas II, 1306

Titulary king of Poland 1306-1307

King of Bohemia 1306-1307

 

House of Carinthia

 

Henry of Carinthia

*1270 - †1335

Duke of Carinthia 1295-1335

Count of Tirol 1295-1335

 ¥ Anne, dau of Wenceslas II, 1307

King of Bohemia 1307-1310

 

House of Luxemburg

 

John the Blind

1296-†1346

Count of Luxemburg 1309-1346

¥ Elizabeth, dau. of Wenceslas II 1310

 Titulary King of Poland 1310-1320

King van Bohemia 1310-1346

 

1310+ Seal of majesty: The King seated between two shields: 1. Eagle chequy (Moravia); 2. Lion (Bohemia). Legend: IOHANNES DEI GRATIA BOEMIE ET POLONIE REX LVCEMBVRG COMES.

 

1310+  Equestrian seal

 

Arms:  Poland. On the horse clothes: Bohemia, Luxem­burg and Moravia.

Banner: Bohemia.

Crest.: Przemysl.

Legend: IOHANNES DEI GRATIA BOEMIE ET POLONIE REX LVCEMBVRG COMES.

(Posse I. pl. 48, Loutsch p. 35)

 

Charles IV, Luxemburg

1316 - † 1378

Margrave of Moravia 1333 - 1354

King of Germany elected 11.07.1346

 King of Bohemia 26.08.1346

 Count of Luxemburg 26.08.1346 - 1349

King of Germany, crowned Bonn 26.11.1346

King of Rome, Crowned Aachen 25.07.1349

King of Lombardia 06.01.1355

Roman Emperor  05.04.1355

King of Burgundy 04.06.1365

 

In the 12th and 13th century only Bohemia, Moravia and the county of Glatz were united. By the Luxemburg kings John and Charles IV the Silesian duchies, since 1202 independent of the polish state and dynasties, together with Upper- and Lower Lusatia and many smaller imperial fiefs were added. By treaty of Trentschin (Trenčin) of 1335 King Kazimir the Great ceded the suzereinty of Silesia for ever to John of Bohemia after many Silesian magnates had recognised Bohemian rule. By Treaty of Namslau (Opole)  of 22 November 1348 the Treaty of Trenčin was ratified. The formal union of each territory with the Bohemian crown was called incorporation.

 

The joint rule of Corona regni Bohemiae was legally established by decree of king Charles IV  issued on 7 April 1348, on the foundation of the original Bohemian lands ruled by the Přemyslid dynasty until 1306. By linking the territories, the interconnection of crown lands thus no more belonged to a king or a dynasty but to the Bohemian monarchy itself, symbolically personalized by the Crown and arms of Saint Wenceslas.

 

Decree of King Charles IV, 07.04.1348 [1]

The decree reads:

 

CONFIRMATIO GENERALIS FEVDORVM IVRIVM,

libertatum & priuilegiorum, Principum Regni Bohemiæ,

anno 1348

 

Carolvs Dei gratia Romanorum Rex &c. ad perpetuam rei memoriam. Innata cordi noſtro benignitas circa fidelium & deuotorum noſtrorum honores & commoda continuis vigiliis, votis ipsorum annuentes iugiter nos inducit, quotiens poſcentium vox est iuſta. In hoc enim liberalitatis noſtræ non errat intentio, sed Regalis ſceptri faſtigium extolli ſalubriter arbritratur. Sanè ad noſtræ Celſitudinis, Venerabiles Archiepiſc Pragensis, Olmucensis  VVratislauienſis & Luthomislenſis Epiſcopi; nec non Illuſtres Ioannes Carinthiæ Comeſq; Tyrolis & Goriciæ, Germanus noſter chariſſim, ac Nicolaus Opauiæ & Ratiboriæ Duces; cæteriq; Prælati, Duces, Principes, Barones, Proceres, & Nobiles regni noſtri Boemiæ & pertinentiarum eiuſde, præſentiam  accedientes nobis humiliter ſupplicarunt, quatenus priuilegia, iura, feuda, libertates cæteraque à nobis & Diuis Regibus & Imperatoribus Romanis, prædeceſſoribus noſtris, Regibus Boemiæ conceſſa & conceſias confirmarew & approbar auctoritate Romana Regia dignaremur,

Nos itaque præfatorum Prælatorum, Ducum, Principum, Baronum, Procerum & Nobilium, quos honoris & felicis ſtatus Romani Regni & ſacri Imperii fideles ſollicitos & ſedulos præ cæteris novimus delatores, ipſuque Regum Bohemiæ Romani Regni præfati fore membrum nobilius, ſupplicationibus benignius inclinati, omnia & ſingula priuilegia, feuda, iura, libertares, oppida, castra, donaria, & gratias a nobis & Diuis Regibus & Imperatoribus Romanis, prædeceſſoribus noſtris, Regibus Boemiæ conceſſa & conceſſas, ſub tenore & ſerie quibuſcunque e noſtra  auctoritate Romana regia & plenaria poteſtate ac ex certa ſcientia innovamus, approbamus, ratificamus, laudamus, confirmamus, & præſentis ſcripti patrocinio de nouo coferimus & donamus, omnem dimitionem & dfectum, ſi quis in præmiſſis fuerit, reparantes omnimode & ſupplentes omne dubium & obſcurum pro parte & in fauorem Regni & Regnum Boemiæ de vberiori dono nostræ Maieſtatis Romanæ Regiæ, & plenitudine poteſtatis interpretantes & etiam declarantes, non obſtantibus legibus, conſuetudinibus, obſeruantiis, iuribus communibus, municipalibus ſtatutis ſeu edictis, factis & editis in contraium quibuſcunque, & cuiuſcunque tenoris exiſtant, quas & quæ in quantum præſentibus vel effectu præſentium forent contraria aut contrariæ, ac ſi forent nominatim de verbo ad verbum ſcripta & ſcriptæ, inſerta præſentibus vel inſertæ, & quibus præſentibus oporteret ſieri mentio ſpecialis, reuoubnamus, caſſamus, irrotamus, annihilamus,& d dictæ Rom. Regiæ plenitudine poteſtatis volumus & decretimus firmitatis  for nullus penitus vel moment. Nulli ergo omnino liceat hanc noſtræ laudationis, ratificationis, approbationis confirmationis, donantionis, reparationis,ſupplementi, interpretationis, declarationis, reuocationis, caſſarionis, irritationis & annihilationis paginam infringere vel auſu temerario in aliquo contraire, Contratium vero facientes, ſi qui fuerint, quodabſit, vltra indignationnem noſtræ Celſtudinis Romanæ, quam ob hoc ſe nouverint grauiter incurſuros, mille marca auri puri noſtro & Romani Regfni fiſco componant: ipſarumq; videlicet medietate noſtræ & suſſorum noſtrorum Romanorum Regum & Imperatorum, Curiæ ſeu Cameræ, & reliquam paſſis iniuriam, irreuocabiliter applicandam.

In quorum omnium teſtimonium & ad certitudinem pleniorem præſentes ſieri iuſſimus, & noſtræ Maiestatis ſigilli muniri appenſione. Huius rei teſtes ſunt Gerlacus Archiepiſcopus Mogontinenſis S. Imperii per Germania Archcancellarius; Rudolphus ſenior Dux Saxoniæ ſacri Imperii Mareſcalcus; Rudolphis iunior Saxoniæ, Fridericus de Teck, Duces: Ioannes BurggrUius Norimbergenſis: Vlricus de Helfenſtein, & Rudolphus de VVertheim, Comites: Petrus de Herſii, Craffto de Hohenloh, Godfridus de Bruneck, Eberharus de Valſe, Eglof de Friburg, Burckcardus de Erlback, Rom Regni præfati Principes & Baromes. Datum Pragæ, Anno Domini MDDDXLVIII, Indictione prima, VII, Idus Aprilis, Regonurm noſtrarum II. [2]

 

The arms of the Bohemian Monarchy

on the tower of the Charles Bridge in Prague, (1357 – ’93)

 

The arms are: At the top: St. Wenceslas. The second row: Prague, Germany (crested), Bohemia (crested), Moravia. The third row: Sulzbach, Silesia, Tirol; Opava; Breslau; Bohemia; Luxemburg, Görlitz; Upper Lusatia, Lower Lusatia.

 

1378 the arms of the parts of the Empire of Charles IV are described in the Augsburg Chronicle (1368-1406) reporting his funeral

 

» Item da fürt man im vor ain panier, das haist daz fuirpanier, daz was rott sidin; item darnach fürt man im vor ain panier mitzinnen in ainen plawen feld des landes von Bauditzein, und darnach drey grozziu ros mit denselben wauppen und uff jedem ros ain gantz gewappent man; item darnach fürt man ain gehelbiert panier unden silberweiss und oben ain wizzen löwen in ainem rotten feld des landes von Görlitz und drei grozziu schwartz bedäcktiu ros darnach mit drey gewappent mannen mit demselben clainat; darnach ein panier des landes von Lützelpurg, ain rotten leo uff ainem plaw strichigem veld und 3 ros; darnach fürt man Lawsnitz ain panier weizz mit ainem rotten ochsen und 3 ros, darnach ain rotten adler in ainem weizzen feld mit 3 pferden; darnach ain gehalbierten adler schwartz und rot in ainem wizzen feld des landes von der Swidnitz und 3 ros; darnach ain schwartzen adler in ainem gelben feld und durch den adler oben durch die flüg ain wizzen maun von Presslawer land und 3 ros; darnach der schwartz adler des richs in ainem guldin veld; darnach Bechaim ain wizz leo in ainem rotten feld und 3 ros; darnach der schwartz adler des richs in ainem guldin veld; darnach fürt ain ritter sein helm mit ainer gulden chron, der helm verdackt mit ainer hermin deck, und er fürt auch ain plozz schwert in siner hend, die spitz gegen der erden. Darnach fürt man den fan des haligen richs, ain wizz crütz mit ainem langen zagel in ainem rotten feld uff ainem verdackten ros; darnach fürt man ainen schwartzen prinenden adler in ainem silbrin feld uf einem verdeckten ros; darnach fürt man ain guldin rennfaun mit ainem schwartzen adler des richs verkert daz haubt gen tal uf ainem verdeckten ros; und die ros alle schwartz mit schwartzem zendal verdackt «.[3]

 

In the procession the following arms and banners could be seen:

 

  1. The banner of command (Blood banner) is red.

  2. Bautzen: per fess embattled Azure nad Or

  3. Görlitz:  Per fess the first Gules, a lion Argent and the second Argent.  

  4. Luxemburg: Barry Argent and Azure, a lion Gules

  5. Lusatia: Or, a bull Gules.

  6. Schweidnitz: Argent, an eagle parted per pale Gules and Sable

  7. Breslau: Or, an eagle Sable charged with a crescent Argent

  8. The Empire: Or, an eagle Sable

  9. Bohemia: Gules a lion Argent

10. The Empire: Or, an eagle Sable

11. The banner of the Holy Empire: Red, a white cross

12. Argent an eagle sable burning Gules  (St. Wenceslas or Bohemia ancient)

13. Pennon: Yellow, a black eagle reguardant

 

Wenceslas IV of Luxemburg

*26.02.1361 - † 06.08.1419

King of Bohemia 15.06.1363

 

King

1. Arms: Gules a double queued lion Argent crowned Or. (Bohemia)

 

a. On his seals of  Majesy. (Posse, II, pl. 8 & 9).

b. On his counter seals  (Posse, II, pl. 7, N° s 3 & 4; 8, N° 2.) with a two-headed eagle for supporter. [4]

In the margin: (clockwise) Bohemia Luxemburg; Upper Lusatia; Lower Lusatia; Sulzbach (Gules six fleurs de lys 3, 2, 1, Argent); Silesia, Germany.

 

Sigismund of Luxemburg

*14.02.1368 - †  09.12.1437

Margrave of Brandenburg 1379 - 1388

King of Hungary 1385

Crowned 31.03.1387

Imperial vicar 1400 & 1402

 Roman King  20.09.1410

Re-elected 21.07.1411

Margrave of  Brandenburg 1411 - 1417

Titulairy King of Bohemia 1419

Duke ofLuxemburg 1419

King of Lombardia 1431

Roman Emperor 1433

King of Bohemia 1436

 

Sigismund was a titulary King van Bohemia after the death of his brother Wenceslas in 1419 but he could not effectuate his claim because of the revolt of the Hussites until 1436. He was in fact but only one year King of Bohemia.  Nevertheless he bore, as a son of Charles IV the arms of Bohemia which can be considered to be his family arms. After his marriage with Mary of Hungary in 1385 he also bore the arms of Arpad as a family arms even when he was not related at all with the Anjous who bore these arms by right of Charles Martel. The impaled of Arpad-Bohemia was also inherited by his grandson Ladislas Posthumus.

 

At the end of his reign the empire of Sigismund consisted of the following parts as represented on his seal of majesty:

1433  Seal of majesty:

 

1433 06 08  Sigismund on his throne with imperial crown, sceptre and orb, seated between two two-headed eagles

Arms: (from left to right)1. The Roman Empire; 2. Hungary; 3. Bohe­mia; 4. Arpad; 5. Luxemburg.

Legend: sigismvndvs dei gracia romanorvm imperator semper avgvstvs ac hvngariae bohemie dalmacie // croacie rame servie gallicie lodomerie comanie bvlgarieq rex et lucembvrgensis heres.

 

Counterseal: Two-headed nimbused eagle.

Legend: aquila ezechielis sponse missa est de celis volat ipse sine meta qvo nec vatyes nec propheta evolabit altivs. [5]

 

House of Habsburg

 

Albrecht II van Habsburg

*1397 - †1439

Duke of Austria 1404

King van Rome 1438

King of Hungary 1438

King of Bohemia 1438

 

The empire of Albrecht consisted of the following parts:

 

 

1438 Seal of Majesty: King Albrecht on his throne with crown, sceptre and orb.

Arms: (In the margin)  1. Germany 2. Arpad; 3. Bohemia; 4. Dalmatia; 5. Austria; 6. Luxemburg; 7. Cumania (Barry of six Or and Vert).

Legend:: ALBERT DEI GRA ROMANOR REX SEMP AVGST AC HVNGARIE BOEMIE DALMACIE CROACIE GALICIE LODOMERIE / COMANIE BVLGARIE Q REX AVSTRIE ET LUCEMBGEN DVX. [6]

 

Ladislas Posthumus

* 22.02.1440-†23.11.1457

King of Hungary 1446/’52-1457

King of Bohemia 28.10.1453-1457

Frederick of Habsburg

Janos Hunyadi

Ulrich van Cilli

Regent 1440-1452

Regent 1446-1453

Regent 1453-1456

 

Johan Hunyadi, regent

 

Golden florin: Arms: ¼: 1&4: Arpad; 2. Hungary; 3. Hunyadi: Or, a raven Sable, a ring in its beak Or

 

King of Hungary and  Bohemia 1452/’53-1457

 

Heraldic Seal

Arms: 1|2 Arpad/Bohemia,

Crown: Of three leaves

Supporters: Eagles.

Arms In the margin: 1. Babenberg; 2. Silesia; 3. Luxemburg; 4. Moravia.

Legend: LADISLAUS DEI GRACIA HUNGARIE EC BOHEMIE ETC. REX. 

 

King of Bohemia 1453-1457

 

Great Seal of Ladislas Posthumus

 

Arms: 1. Austria-Babenberg; 2. Arpad, 3 Bohemia; 4. Stiria; 5. Luxemburg; 6. Moravia; 7. Upper-Austria

Supporter: The arms of Austria-Babenberg supported by a lion. In the upper margin the royal crown supported by two angels, symbols of divine mandate.

Legend: S. maiestatis ladiclai di. gra hungarie . bohemie dalmacie croacie. rame cervie gallicie lodomerie camame bulgarieqs regis ducis austr stirie lucembuge karinthie + caniole marchiois moavie bgouredm machie sclavoie + portusnaois coitis habspge tirolis ferretis kibgeneiv lantgui als.

 

House of Podiebrad

George

1458-1471

 

Heraldic seal of George Podiebrad

 

Arms: Bohemia.

In the margin: Moravia, Luxemburg (!) Lusatia and Silesia,

Legend: GEORGIUS DEI GRACIA REX BOHEMIE. EC

 

House of Hunyadi

Matthias I Corvinus

*23.02. 1440-† 06.04.1490

Count of Bistritsa 1453

Elected King of Hungary 24.01. 1458

King of Hungary 29.03.1464

King of Bohemia 03.05 1469-1478

 ¥ Beatrix of Naples 1475

Titulary King of Bohemia 1478-1490

Duke of Austria 1485

Duke of Stiria, Carinthia and Krain 14851469

           

Armorial Stone

From the Matthias Tower in Bautzen (Saxony)

Municipal Museum, Bautzen

 

A coat of arms quarterly of Bohemia and Moravia.

The Matthias Tower of Bautzen gives a heraldic display of the empire of Matthias Corvinus of which Bohemia and Moravia was a part.

 

House of Jagiello

Vladislas II Jagiello

*1456-†1516

King of Bohemia 1471-1516

King of  Hungary 1490-1516

 

Heraldic seal

 

Arms: ¼ Arpad and Bohemia with inescutcheon Poland.

In the margin (clockwise): Moravia, Silesia, Lower Lusatia, Luxemburg, 

Legend: Wladislaus etc

 

Louis II

1516-1526

Knight of the Fleece nr. 145, Brussel 1516

 

 

House of Habsburg

 

Bohemia under Habsburg Rule 1526-1918

After the death of King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia in the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria became the new King of Bohemia and the country became a constituent state of the Habsburg Monarchy.

Bohemia enjoyed religious freedom between 1436 and 1620, and became one of the most liberal countries of the Christian world during that period. In 1609, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II, who made Prague again the capital of the Empire at the time, himself a Roman Catholic, was moved by the Bohemian nobility to publish Maiestas Rudolphina, which confirmed the older Confessio Bohemica of 1575.

After Emperor Matthias II and then King of Bohemia Ferdinand II (later Holy Roman Emperor) began oppressing the rights of Protestants in Bohemia, the resulting Bohemian Revolt led to outbreak of the Thirty Years' War in 1618. Elector Frederick V of the Electorate of the Palatinate, a Protestant, was elected by the Bohemian nobility to replace Ferdinand on the Bohemian throne, and was known as the Winter King. Frederick's wife, the popular Elizabeth Stuart and subsequently Elizabeth of Bohemia, known as the Winter Queen or Queen of Hearts, was the daughter of King James VI of Scotland.

After Frederick's defeat in the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, 27 Bohemian estates leaders together with Jan Jesenius, rector of the Charles University of Prague were executed on the Prague's Old Town Square on 21 June 1621 and the rest were exiled from the country; their lands were then given to Catholic loyalists (mostly of Bavarian and Saxon origin), this ended the pro-reformation movement in Bohemia and also ended the role of Prague as ruling city of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the so-called “renewed constitution” of 1627, the German language was established as a second official language in the Czech lands. The Czech language formally remained the first language in the kingdom, however, both German and Latin were widely spoken among the ruling classes, although German became increasingly dominant, while Czech was spoken in much of the countryside.

The formal independence of Bohemia was further jeopardized when the Bohemian Diet approved administrative reform in 1749. It included the indivisibility of the Habsburg Empire and the centralization of rule; this essentially meant the merging of the Royal Bohemian Chancellery with the Austrian Chancellery.

At the end of the 18th century, the Czech National Revival movement, in cooperation with part of the Bohemian aristocracy, started a campaign for restoration of the kingdom's historic rights, whereby the Czech language was to regain its historical role and replace German as the language of administration. The enlightened absolutism of Joseph II and Leopold II, who introduced minor language concessions, showed promise for the Czech movement, but many of these reforms were later rescinded. During the Revolution of 1848, many Czech nationalists called for autonomy for Bohemia from Habsburg Austria, but the revolutionaries were defeated. The old Bohemian Diet, one of the last remnants of the independence, was dissolved, although the Czech language experienced a rebirth as romantic nationalism developed among the Czechs.

In 1861, a new elected Bohemian Diet was established. The renewal of the old Bohemian Crown (Kingdom of Bohemia, Margraviate of Moravia, and Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia) became the official political program of both Czech liberal politicians and the majority of Bohemian aristocracy ("state rights program"), while parties representing the German minority and small part of the aristocracy proclaimed their loyalty to the centralistic Constitution (so-called "Verfassungstreue").

After the defeat of Austria in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, Hungarian politicians achieved the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, ostensibly creating equality between the Austrian and Hungarian halves of the empire. An attempt by the Czechs to create a tripartite monarchy (Austria-Hungary-Bohemia) failed in 1871. The "state rights program" remained the official platform of all Czech political parties (except for social democrats) until 1918.

 

Ferdinand I

*1503-†1564

Knight of the Fleece n° 130, Brussel 1516

King of Bohemia and Hungary 1526-1564

Emperor 1556-1564

 

 

The royal arms quarterly if Arpad and Bohemia, the inescucheon of the first p.p. pale of Babenberg and Burgundy, the second quarterly of Castilia and Leon, the third p.p. pale of Aragon and Trinacria and the fourth p. fess of Valois and Brabant. Enté en point of Granada and In nombril point p. pale of Tirol and Flanders.   crowned and supported by the Royal Eagle royally crowned, surrounded by smaller shields of the arms of (clockwise): Silesia, Lower Lusatia, Görlitz, Upper Lusatia, Luxemburg  and Moravia.

On the Ceska Kronika of Vaclav Hajek, 1541.

 

 

The Royal arms with inescutcheon, crowned and supported by the Imperial Eagle imperially crowned, surrounded by smaller shields of the arms of (clockwise): Silesia, Lower Lusatia, Görlitz, Upper Lusatia, Luxemburg  and Moravia.

On the revers the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia from the Böhmischen Landrecht 1564 [7]

 

Union with the Habsburg Lands 1564

 

Maximilian II  Habsburg

*1527- † 1576

Knight of the Fleece n° 192 Utrecht 1546

King of Bohemia 1564- 1575

Emperor 1564-1576

 

Rudolf II

1576-1611

 

 

Arms: Bohemia.

Additional arms: Silesia, Lower Lusatia; Upper Lusatia and Moravia

 

Matthias

1611-1619

 

 

Wittelsbach interim 1619-1620

 

House of Wittelsbach

 

Frederick V

1619-1620

Arms: ¼: 1. Bohemia; 2. Per point arched of Palatyinate of the Rhine, Wittelsbach and the Bailiff of the Holy Roman Empire; 3 Impaled of Moravia and Siliesia; 4. Impaled of Upper- and Lower Lusatia

Crown: A royal crown

House of Habsburg

 

Ferdinand II

1620-1637

 

As a result of the 30-years war and the  Peace of Prague of 1635 both Lusatias were ceded to ElectorJohann Georg von Sachsen (1611-1656) as a Bohemian hereditary fief. From then on he called himself (amongst others) Markgraf von Niederlausitz and bore the arms of Lower Lusatia.

Arms of Johann Georg von Sachsen 1657

 

The arms of Lower Lusatia on the dexter on the fourth quarter from above (9th quarter).

 

Æ Lausitz

The  arms of Upper- and Lower Lusatia were, however, also used by the Habsburg kings of Bohemia as arms of pretence until the very end of the Habsburg Monarchy. They never succeeded in regaining both Lusatias and in 1815 both came under Prussian rule.

Ferdinand III

1637-1646

Arms: Bohemia.

Additional arms: Silesia, Lower Lusatia; Upper Lusatia and Moravia

Ferdinand IV

1653-1654

Leopold I

1656-1705

Nicholas Visscher, 1690

Joseph I

1705-1711

Charles VI

*1685 - † 1740

King of Spain 1703-1714

King of Bohemia 1711-1740

Emperor 12.10.1711

Crowned 02.12.1711

King of Sardinia 1714

King of Naples 1714

Duke of Milan 1714

Matthaeus Seutter, 1727

Charles VII Wittelsbach

1697 - † 1745

Elector of Bavaria 1726

Emperor 1742

King of Bohemia 1742-1745

Maria Theresia

*1717-†1780

Queen and Elector of Bohemia 1740-1780

¥ Franz Stefan of Lorraine 1736 

Empress 1745-1780

Seal of Maria Theresia, 23.03.1747

State archives Třebon

Arms: ¼: 1. Arpad/Hungary; 2. per pale of Babenberg/Austria and Burgundy; 3. Silesia; 4. Moravia. And an iniescutcheon of Bohemia.

Crown: The Royal Bohemian crown of 1346, supported by two cupids

Surrounded by the arms of pretence of (clockwise): Lower Lusatia; Görlitz; Upper Lusatia; Luxemburg.

 

The arms as in the middle of  the seal of 1747

 

The formal independence of Bohemia was further jeopardized when the Bohemian Diet approved administrative reform in 1749. It included the indivisibility of the Habsburg Empire and the centralization of rule; this essentially meant the merging of the Royal Bohemian Chancellery with the Austrian Chancellery

In the larger seal of Majesty of Maria Theresia of 1766 the quarter for the Bohemian Monarchy shows:

 

The quarter for Bohemia on the Great Seal, of 1765

 

Arms: ¼: 1. Moravia; 2. Silesia; 3. Upper-Lusatia; 4 Lower-Lusatia. In fess point.: Bohemia

Joseph II

1765-1790

On 17 September 1765 Maria Theresia appointed her son Joseph a co-regent in the Habsburg lands: the Arch duchy of Austria, the lands of the Bohemian crown, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Austrian Netherlands. The Grand duchy of Tuscany, herited from her father, she gave to his younges brother Leopold (II)

 

The quarter for Bohemia on the Great Seal of 1766

 

 

1 groeschl coin, 1781

 

Arms: Per fess; the chief of Bohemia, the base per pale of Moravia and Silesia.

Crown: The crown of St. Wenceslas

 

These are the arms of the Bohemian Lands after the death of his mother Maria Theresia.

Leopold II

1790-1792

 

Arms of the Bohemian Monarchy

Date uncertain (before 1804) [8]

 

Francis I (II)       

1792-1835

 

In 1804, during the rule of Francis I the arms of Teschen: Azure, an eagle Or, billed and clawed Gules; were added on the quarter for Bohemia:

Das zweyte Hauptquartier zur Linken, besteht aus einem, ein Mahl quer, dan oben ebenfalls ein Mahl, unten aber zwey Mahl, nach der Länge getheilten Schilde, mit einem Mittelschilde.

Der Mittelschild hat einen aufgerichteten zweygeschänzten, gekrönten, silbernen Löwen im rothen Felde, wegen des Königreichs Böhmen; er ist mit der Königlich-Böhmische Krone bedeckt.

Oben zur Rechten im blauen Felde, ein rechtssehender, von Silber und roth geschachter, gekrönter Adler, wegen des Markgrafthums Mähren; zur linken im güldenen Felde, ein rechtssehender, schwarzer, gekrönter Adler, auf seiner Brust ein silbernes, auf einem gleichen, halben Monde ruhendes Kreuz; der Mond verlängert sich bis in die Flügel, und endiget mit Kleeblättern, wegen des Herzogthums Ober- und Nieder-Schlesien.

Unten zur Rechten im blauen Felde, eine güldenen Mauer, mit schwarzen Mauerstrichen, und drey Zinnen, wegen der Markgrafschaft Oberlausnitz; zur Linken im silbernen Felde auf grünem Boden ein rechtssehender, rother, am Bauche aber weißer Ochse, wegen Niederlausnitz; in der Mitte ein güldener, rechtssehender Adler im Blauen Felde, wegen des Herzogthums Teschen. [9]

 

Quarter for Bohemia on the larger arms of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1804

The arms of Teschen inserted

 

Ferdinand V

1835-1848

 

In the larger arms of state of 1836-1866 the quarter for the Bohemian Monarchy identical with the same in the arms of Francis I

Quarter for Bohemia on the larger arms of the Habsburg Monarchy 1836-‘66

By H.G. Ströhl

 

This quarter the 3rd of nine quarters, the  5th (central) quarter of the personal arms of Ferdinand: a tierced of Habsburg,-Austria-Lorraine

 

Francis-Joseph

1848-1916

 

 

During the Revolution of 1848, many Czech nationalists called for autonomy for Bohemia from Habsburg Austria, but the revolutionaries were defeated. The old Bohemian Diet, one of the last remnants of the independence, was dissolved, although the Czech language experienced a rebirth as romantic nationalism developed among the Czechs.

 

In 1861, a new elected Bohemian Diet was established. The renewal of the old Bohemian Crown (Kingdom of Bohemia, Margraviate of Moravia, and Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia) became the official political program of both Bohemian liberal politicians and the majority of Bohemian aristocracy ("state rights program"), while parties representing the German minority and a small part of the aristocracy proclaimed their loyalty to the centralistic Constitution (the so-called "Verfassungstreue").

 

After the division of the Habsburg Monarchy in an Austrian and a Hungarian part, the arms of Bohemia came on the Imperial arms for Cis-Leithania (Austria). Attempts in the time of the division to make Bohemia a third part of the Monarchy failed.

After the defeat of Austria in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, Hungarian politicians achieved the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, ostensibly creating equality between the Austrian and Hungarian halves of the empire. An attempt by the Czechs to create a tripartite monarchy (Austria-Hungary-Bohemia) failed in 1871.

 

Charles III (I)

1916-1918

 

 

1918 End of Monarchy

 

 

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 © Hubert de Vries

 

 

 



[1] http://praha-archeologicka.cz/presentation/201/obr01-Zakladaci-listina-UK_57fb978da1994_al66y38oj4.jpg

[2] Melchioris Goldasti Heiminsfeldi:  De Bohemiæ regni incorporatorumque provinciarum iuribus ac privilegiis i necnon de hereditaria Regiæ Bohemorum familiæ succeßione. Francofordiæ MDCXXVII. Pp. 50-51

[3]  Zelenka, Aleš: Heraldische Bemerkungen In: Seibt, Ferdinand ed.: Kaiser karl IV, Staatsmann und Mäzen. München, 1978 pp. 312-317.

[4] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Posse_Band_2_0007.jpg

[5] Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Atti diplomatici e privati, b. 37, n.1077

[6] Der Deutsche Herold  1871 p. 122 fig. 5

[7] https://sammlung.mak.at/img/800x800/publikationsbilder/ki-4175_1.jpg

[8] Hefner, O.T. von: Die Wappen der Souveräne der deutschen Bundesstaaten. Baner & Raspe. Nürnberg, 1856.

[9] Gall, Franz: Österreichische Wappenkunde. Handbuch der Wappenwissenschaft. Verlag Herman Böhlaus Nachf. Wien/Köln, 1977. pp. 66-67.