List of heads of the Czech state explained

Below is list of historically documented heads of the Czech statehood in its various iterations, including rulers of Great Moravia in the period since 830 AD.

The first Czech monarchs

Legendary rulers of Bohemia (c. 644 - 870)

Legendary rulers
ImageNameDateNotes
Apraotec Čech (Pater Boemus)c. 644 - 661 according to 14th century Wenceslaus Hajek chronicle (disputed)Legendary founding father of the Czech statehood (in the area of Říp). In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century) and in Wielkopolska Chronicle (early 14th century, Poland).
?Pause in written record.
BKrokc. †709Moved seat of power to Vyšehrad. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
CLibušec. 709+Krok's daughter, legendary ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty, founder of the city of Prague. In written record first mentioned in (10th century).
DPřemysl the Ploughmanc. 710s+Husband of princess Libuše of non-royal origin, legendary ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty. In written record first mentioned in (10th century).
ENezamysl (Simplicius)Probably son of Libuše and Přemysl. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
FMnata (The Wise)In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
GVojen (The Fighting)In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
HVnislavIn written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
IKřesomysl (The Inciter)In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
JNeklanIn written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
KHostivít (The Welcomer)c †870Neklan's son, purported father of duke Bořivoj I. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
LLech†805First written record in 805 Annales Regni Francorum as being killed in battle by Charlemagne.

Principality of Great Moravia (830-906)

House of Mojmír

ImageNameDateNotes
1Mojmír Ic.830–846First written record in Royal Frankish Annals (822).
2Rastislav846–870Nephew of Mojmír I. First Christian ruler. Invited Cyril and Methodius. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
3Slavomír871 (interim)Led a revolt against the Franks who had annexed Moravia during the incarceration of his relative, Svatopluk I. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
4ASvatopluk I871–894Dethroned Rastislav in 870. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
5Mojmír II894–906?Under his rule Bohemia seceded from Great Moravia in 895.
Great Moravia began to disintegrate after his death. For later connection between Bohemia and Moravia see Moravia#Union with Bohemia.

Dukes and Kings of Bohemia under Přemyslid dynasty (c. 870–1306)

See also: Duchy of Bohemia, Margraviate of Moravia and Kingdom of Bohemia.

Přemyslid dynasty

Feuds of Bohemia and Moravia under Premyslid rule

      <---Bohemia--->Part of Great Moravia
(until 907)
      <---Bohemia--->
Duchy of
Bohemia

(870-1198)
Raised to:
Kingdom of
Bohemia

(1198-1306)
Part of Poland
(999-1019)
      <---Bohemia--->Duchy of Moravia
(1019-1055)
Duchy of
Brno

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
Duchy of
Znojmo

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
Duchy of
Olomouc

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
      <---Bohemia--->
      <---Bohemia--->      <---Brno--->Duchy of
Olomouc

(1061-1178)
Duchy of
Brno

(2nd creation)
(1061-1182)
Duchy of
Znojmo

(2nd creation)
(1092-1112)
      <---Brno--->
      <---Brno--->Duchy of
Znojmo

(3rd creation)
(1123-1182)
      <---Brno--->      <---Znojmo--->
Duchy of Moravia
(Znojmo line)
(1182-1191)
      <---Bohemia--->
      <---Bohemia--->Duchy of Moravia
(1197-1222)
      <---Bohemia--->

Table of rulers

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Bořivoj I852
Son of Hostivít (?)[1]
870-883

885-889
889
aged 35/6
BohemiaLudmila of Bohemia
873[2]
six children
First documented ruler of the dynasty.
Strojmír?c.883-885?Bohemia?Apparently a usurper.
align=center colspan="8"Bohemia annexed to Great Moravia (889-894)
Spytihněv I882
First son of Bořivoj I and Ludmila of Bohemia
894-915915
aged 32/3
Bohemia
(with Moravia since 907)
UnmarriedHis reign restored Bohemian sovereignty.
Vratislaus I
(Vratislav)
888
Second son of Bořivoj I and Ludmila of Bohemia
915 - 13 February 92113 February 921
aged 32/3
BohemiaDrahomíra
three children
Regencies of Ludmila of Bohemia (921) and Drahomíra (921-925)Known as St. Wenceslaus ("Good King Wenceslas" for English-speaking people), the patron saint of the Czech lands.
Wenceslaus I the Good
(Václav Dobrý)
907[3] [4]
Stochov[5]
First son of Vratislaus I and Drahomíra
13 February 921- 28 September 929/3528 September 929/35
Stará Boleslav
aged 21/2 or 27/8
BohemiaUnmarried
Boleslaus I the Cruel
(Boleslav I. Ukrutný)
915
Prague (?)
Second son of Vratislaus I and Drahomíra
28 September 929/35 - July 972July 972
aged 56/7
BohemiaBiagota
four children
Assassinated his brother to ascend to the ducal throne.
Boleslaus II the Pious
(Boleslav II. Pobožný)
940
Prague (?)
Son of Boleslaus I and Biagota
July 972 - 7 February 9997 February 999
aged 58/9
BohemiaAdiva (of England?)
four children

Emma of Mělník
(Emma of Italy (?))
989
no children
Moravia is again lost, this time, to Poland, in 999.
Boleslaus III the Red
(Boleslav III. Ryšavý)
965
First son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
7 February 999 - May 1002

February - March 1003
1037
aged 56/7
BohemiaUnknownIn 1002-04, Bohemia was invaded twice by Poland.
align=center colspan="8"Bohemia was annexed to Poland (1002-04):
Jaromírc.970
Second son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
1004 - 12 April 1012

9 November 1034 - 1035
4 November 1038
Lysá nad Labem
aged 60/70
BohemiaUnknownIn 1004, Jaromir occupied Prague with a German army and proclaimed himself Bohemian duke, restoring the family's domain, albeit reduced. As brothers of Boleslaus III, Jaromir and Ulrich had a fight for the throne that lasted until 1034, when Ulrich died and Jaromir retired (and then murdered). Nevertheless, more land was at stake, as Moravia was reintegrated into Bohemia in 1019, after being reconquered from Poland, and given to Ulrich's son.
Ulrich I
(Oldřich)
align=center rowspan="2"c.975
Third son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
12 April 1012 - 9 November 1034align=center rowspan="2"9 November 1034 or 1042
aged 59/60 or 66/7
Bohemiaalign=center rowspan="2"Božena
c.1002
one child
1033 - 9 November 1034Moravia
Bretislaus I the Bohemian Achilles
(Břetislav I. český Achilles)
align=center rowspan="2"align=center rowspan="2"1002/5
Son of Ulrich I and Božena
align=center style="background:#fed;"1019/29 – 1033

9 November 1034 – 10 January 1055
align=center rowspan="2"10 January 1055
aged 50/3
align=center style="background:#fed;"Moraviaalign=center rowspan="2"Judith of Schweinfurt
1020
four children
First separation of Moravia from Bohemia. His father usurped his place for a year. After his own death, his sons shared the inheritance.
1035 - 10 January 1055Bohemia
Spytihněv II1031
First son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
10 January 1055 - 28 January 106128 January 1061
aged 29/30
Bohemia
(also in Moravia from 1056)
Ida of Wettin
1054
one child
Children of Bretislav I, divided their inheritance:
  • Spytihnev kept Bohemia; the others divided Moravia:
    • Conrad received Brno;
    • Vratislav got Olomouc;
    • Otto inherited Znojmo.

The division was made ineffective by Spytihnev (1055), who extended his rule to Moravia, uniting the whole Premyslid domain under his control. However, after his death (1061), the landless brothers recovered the inheritance and divided it differently, as Vratislav inherited Bohemia:

  • Conrad recovered Brno but also received Otto's share in Znojmo;
  • Otto received Vratislav's part in Olomouc.
Vratislaus II
(Vratislav II)
align=center rowspan="2"c.1035
Second son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
align=center style="background:#def;"10 January 1055 – 1056align=center rowspan="2"14 January 1092align=center style="background:#def;"Olomoucalign=center rowspan="2"Maria
before 1057
no children

Adelaide of Hungary (I)
1057
four children

Świętosława of Poland
1062
five children
28 January 1061 - June 1085
(as Duke)

June 1085 - 14 January 1092
(as King)
Bohemia
Conrad I
(Konrád I)
align=center rowspan="2"c.1035
Third son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
align=center style="background:#ceb;"10 January 1055 – 1056

28 January 1061 - 6 September 1092
align=center rowspan="2"6 September 1092align=center style="background:#ceb;"Brno
(with Znojmo since 1061)
align=center rowspan="2"Wirpirk of Tengling
1054
two children
14 January 1092 - 6 September 1092Bohemia
Otto I the Fair
(Ota Sličný)
align=center rowspan="2"1045
Fouth son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
align=center style="background:#fde;"10 January 1055 – 1056align=center rowspan="2"9 June 1087
aged 41/2
align=center style="background:#fde;"Znojmoalign=center rowspan="2"Euphemia of Hungary
before 1073
two children
28 January 1061 - 9 June 1087Olomouc
Boleslaus
(Boleslav)
1062
First son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
9 June 1087 – 11 August 109111 August 1091
aged 28/9
OlomoucUnmarried
Bretislaus II
(Břetislav II)
c.1060
Son of Vratislaus II and Adelaide of Hungary (I)
6 September 1092 - 22 December 110022 December 1100
aged 39/40
BohemiaLukarta of Bogen
1094
one child
Ulrich (II)
(Oldřich)
c.1070/80?
First son of Conrad I and Wirpirk of Tengling
6 September 1092 – 5 January 11135 January 1113
aged c.33/43?
Brno
(with Znojmo since 1112)
Adelaide
two children
Children of Conrad I, divided the inheritance:
  • Luitpold received Znojmo;
  • Ulrich inherited Brno.

Despite having heirs, Luitpold's land came to Ulrich's possession after his death. Conrad II, Luitpold's heir, would come to power in 1123.

Luitpold (I)
(Litold znojemský)
c.1070/80?
Second son of Conrad I and Wirpirk of Tengling
6 September 1092 – 15 March 111215 March 1112
aged c.32/42?
ZnojmoIda of Austria
one child
Bořivoj IIc.1064
Prague
First son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
25 December 1100 - May 1107

December 1117 - 16 August 1120
2 February 1124
aged 39/40
BohemiaHelbirga of Austria
October 1100
Znojmo
no children
Ruled twice. Retired in 1120.
Svatopluk (I) the Lion
(Svatopluk Olomoucký)
1075
Second son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
align=center style="background:#def;"11 August 1091 – 21 September 110921 September 1109
aged 33/4
align=center style="background:#def;"OlomoucUnknown
one child
May 1107 – 21 September 1109Bohemia
Vladislaus I
(Vladislav I)
c.1065
Second son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
21 September 1109 - December 1117

16 August 1120 - 12 April 1125
12 April 1125
Prague
aged 59/60
BohemiaRicheza of Berg
1110/11
four children
Ruled twice.
Sobeslaus Ialign=center rowspan="2"c.1075
Third son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
align=center bgcolor=#ceb5 January 1113 – 1123align=center rowspan="2"14 February 1140
aged 64/5
align=center bgcolor=#cebBrno
(with Znojmo)
align=center rowspan="2"Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1123
five children
Ruled Brno and Znojmo,[6] which split after his resign:
  • Znojmo returned to its heir, Conrad II;
  • Brno was absorbed by Olomouc, the other Moravian feud.
12 April 1125 – 14 February 1140Bohemia
Otto II the Black
(Ota II. Černý)
1085
Third son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
21 September 1109 – 18 February 112618 February 1126
aged 40/1
Olomouc
(with Brno)
Sophia of Berg
1113
three children
Ruled in Olomouc, since 1091 with his brother Svatopluk. Acquired Brno in 1123.
Conrad II
(Konrád II)
c.1100/10?
Son of Luitpold I and Ida of Austria
1123 – 11611161
aged c.50/51 or c.60/61?
ZnojmoMaria of Serbia
1132
four children
Received his heritage in 1123.[7]
Wenceslaus Henry
(Václav Jindřich)
1107
Son of Svatopluk (I)
18 February 1126 – 1 March 11301 March 1130
aged 22/3
OlomoucUnmarriedHeirs of previous rulers of their portions, after Otto II's death inherited their respective inheritances.
Vratislaus (II)
(Vratislav)
c.1100/11
Brno
Son of Ulrich (II) and Adelaide
18 February 1126 – 6 August 11566 August 1156
Brno
aged 45/6
BrnoA Russian princess
1132
three children
Luitpold (II)
(Lupolt Olomoucký)
1102
Son of Bořivoj II and Helbirga of Austria
1 March 1130 – 11371143
aged 40/1
OlomoucUnmarriedAppointed and deposed by Sobeslaus, then the senior duke in Bohemia, who replaced him in Olomouc with his own son.
Vladislaus
(Vladislav)
?
First son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1137 – 11401165OlomoucDaughter of Albert the Bear
no children
Probably resigned, waiting for succeed in Bohemia; however it was another Vladislaus who ended up ascending the seniority position in Bohemia.
Vladislaus II
(Vladislav II)
c.1110
Son of Vladislaus I and Richeza of Berg
14 February 1140 - 11 January 1158
(as Duke)

11 January 1158 - 1172
(as King)
18 January 1174
Meerane
aged 63/4
BohemiaGertrude of Austria
1140
six children

Judith of Thuringia
1155
three children
Resigned in 1172.
Otto III
(Ota III)
1122
Son of Otto II and Sophia of Berg
1140 – 12 May 1160[8] 12 May 1160
aged 37/8
OlomoucDurancia
five children
Spytihněv (II)?
Son of Vratislaus (II)
6 August 1156 – 11821199BrnoUmarriedIn 1182, abdicated for Conrad Otto of Znojmo
Brno annexed to Znojmo
Frederick
(Bedřich)
1142
Son of Vladislaus II and Gertrude of Austria
align=center style="background:#def12 May 1160 – 117325 March 1189align=center style="background:#defOlomoucElizabeth of Hungary
1157
six children
align=center 1172 – 1173

1178 – 25 March 1189
align=center Bohemia
Ulrich (III)1134
Second son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1173 – 18 October 117718 October 1177
aged 42/3
OlomoucCecilia of Thuringia
no children

Sophia of Meissen
no children
Sobeslaus II the Prince of the Peasants
(Soběslav II. kníže sedláků)
1128
Third son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1173 – 117829 January 1180
aged 51/2
BohemiaElisabeth of Greater Poland
no children
Wenceslaus II1137
Fourth son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
align=center style="background:#def;"18 October 1177 – 1178after 1192align=center style="background:#def;"OlomoucUnmarriedAbdicated for Conrad III.
9 September 1191 - 1192Bohemia
Olomouc annexed to Znojmo
Conrad III Otto
(Konrád III. Ota)
c.1136
Son of Conrad II and Maria of Serbia
align=center style="background:#fde;"1161 – 11829 September 1191
aged 54/5
ZnojmoHellicha of Wittelsbach
before 1176
no children
Son of Conrad II. United Znojmo and Olomouc. Brno joined in 1182, when he also became the first Margrave of Moravia.
1182 – 9 September 1191Moravia
1189 – 9 September 1191Bohemia
Bretislaus III Henry
(Břetislav III. Jindřich)
1137
Son of Henry and Margaret (?)
1193 - 15/19 June 119715/19 June 1197BohemiaUnmarriedSon of Henry, brother of King Vladislaus II. Also Bishop of Prague (1182-97).
Vladislaus III Henry
(Vladislav III. Jindřich)
align=center rowspan="2"1137
Second son of Vladislaus II and Judith of Thuringia
22 June - 6 December 1197align=center rowspan="2"12 August 1222
Bohemiaalign=center rowspan="2"Heilwida
no children
Left no descendants. After his death, Moravia became an appanage of Bohemian princes.
December 1197 – 12 August 1222Moravia
Premislaus Ottokar I
(Přemysl Otakar I)
1155
First son of Vladislaus II and Judith of Thuringia
1192 - 1193

6 December 1197 - 1198
(as Duke)

1198 - 15 December 1230
(as King)
15 December 1230
Prague
aged 74/5
BohemiaAdelaide of Meissen
1178
(annulled 1199)
one child

Constance of Hungary
1199
nine children
First king of hereditary royal title, confirmed by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor in 1212 by issuing the Golden Bull of Sicily.
Wenceslaus I the One-Eyed
(Václav I. Jednooký)
1205
Son of Premislaus Ottokar I and Constance of Hungary]
15 December 1230 - 23 September 125323 December 1253
Králův Dvůr
aged 47/8
BohemiaKunigunde of Hohenstaufen
1224
five children
Premislaus Ottokar II The Iron and Golden King
(Přemysl Otakar II. král železný a zlatý)
1233
Městec Králové
Son of Wenceslaus I and Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
23 December 1253 - 26 August 127826 August 1278
Dürnkrut
aged 44/5
BohemiaMargaret of Austria
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children

Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
25 October 1261
Pressburg
three children
Also Duke of Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Friuli and margrave of Carniola.
Regencies of Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych (1278-1285) and Otto V, Margrave of Brandenburg (1278-1283)Also Duke of Cracow (from 1291) and King of Poland (1300–1305).
Wenceslaus II
(Václav II)
27 September 1271
PragueSon of Premislaus Ottokar II and Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
26 August 1278 - 21 June 130521 June 1305
Prague
aged 33
BohemiaJudith of Austria
January 1285
Cheb
ten children

Elizabeth Richeza of Poland
26 May 1303
Prague
one child
Wenceslaus III
(Václav III)
6 October 1289
Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
21 June 1305 - 4 August 13064 August 1306
Olomouc
aged 16
BohemiaViola of Cieszyn
5 October 1305
Brno
no children
Uncrowned (as Bohemian king). Also King of Hungary (1301–1305) and King of Poland.
Anna
(Anna Přemyslovna)
10 October 1290
Daughter of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
align=center rowspan="2" style="background:#fff4 August 1306 - 1306
3/4 July 1307 - 3 December 1310
3 Septembre 1313
Olomouc
aged 16
align=center rowspan="2"BohemiaHenry
1306
no children
Heiresses of Bohemia, they were the true inheritors of the power claimed by their husbands during the succession crisis. Of the three, Rudolf had the weakest claim, and also the lowest popularity. The conflict was settled when, in 1310, Elizabeth and John invaded Prague, and defeated their opponents, Anna and Henry.
Henry of Carinthia
(Jindřich Korutanský)
1265
Son of Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia and Elisabeth of Bavaria
2 April 1335
Tirol
aged 69/70
Anna
1306
no children

Adelaide of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1313
two children

Beatrice of Savoy
1327
no children
Elisabeth Richeza of Poland
(Eliška-Rejčka)
1 September 1288
Poznań
Daughter of Przemysł II of Poland and Richeza of Sweden
align=center rowspan="2" style="background:#fff1306 - 3/4 July 130719 October 1335
Brno
aged 47
align=center rowspan="2"BohemiaWenceslaus II
26 May 1303
Prague
one child

Rudolf
16 October 1306
Prague
no children
Rudolf of Habsburg the Good
(Rudolf Habsburský, Rudolf Dobrý)
c. 1281
Vienna
Eldest son of Albert I of Germany and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
Blanche of France
25 May 1300
one child

Elisabeth Richeza
16 October 1306
Prague
no children
3/4 July 1307
Horažďovice
aged 26
Elisabeth
(Eliška Přemyslovna)
20 January 1292
Prague
Daughter of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
3 December 1310 - 28 September 133028 September 1330
Prague
aged 38
align=center rowspan="2"BohemiaJohn
1 September 1310
Prague
seven children
John of Luxembourg the Blind
(Jan Lucemburský, Jan Slepý)
10 August 1296
Luxembourg
Son of Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor and Margaret of Brabant
3 December 1310 - 26 August 134626 August 1346
Crécy-en-Ponthieu
aged 50
Elisabeth
1 September 1310
Prague
seven children

Beatrice of Bourbon
December 1334
Vincennes
one child

The Late Kingdom of Bohemia: from the House of Luxembourg to Austria-Hungary (1310–1918)

Kings of Bohemia
House of Luxembourg
39John the Blind
(Jan Lucemburský)
1310–1346Son-in-law of Wenceslaus II.
40Charles I
(Karel I.)
1346–1378Son of John. Also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles IV.
41Wenceslaus IV
(Václav IV.)
1378–1419Son of Charles I. Also King of the Romans until 1400.
42Sigismund
(Zikmund)
1419–1437Brother of Wenceslaus IV. Ruled effective 1436–1437 only (because of the Hussite Revolution). Also Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary.
House of Habsburg
43Albert
(Albrecht Habsburský)
1437–1439Son-in-law of Sigismund. Also King of the Romans and of Hungary.
Interregnum1440–1453The succession of Albert's son was not recognized by the Czech nobility for most of this era; the land was administered by the Landfrieden (provincial and territorial).
44Ladislaus the Posthumous
(Ladislav Pohrobek)
1453–1457Son of Albert born after his father's death. Also King of Hungary.
Non-Dynastic
45George of Podebrady
(Jiří z Poděbrad)
1457–1471Elected king from the Czech noble family House of Kunštát. Although he had descendants, the succession devolved to the prince from Polish kingdom.
46Matthias Corvinus
(Matyáš Korvín)
1469–1490King of Hungary, elected by the insurgent Catholic Czech aristocrats as anti-king in 1469, but never crowned. In 1479, he agreed to limit his rule to Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia, while retaining his title.
House of Jagiellon
47Vladislaus II the Jagiellonian
(Vladislav II. Jagellonský)
1471–1516Nephew of Ladislaus the Posthumous; elected on request of his predecessor George. Also King of Hungary after 1490.
48Louis the Jagiellonian
(Ludvík Jagellonský)
1516–1526Son of Vladislaus II. Also King of Hungary.
House of Habsburg
49Ferdinand I1526–1564Brother-in-law of Louis; elected king. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor-elect from 1558.
50Maximilian I
(Maxmilián I.)
1564–1576Son of Ferdinand I, grandson of Vladislaus II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
51Rudolph II
(Rudolf II.)
1576–1611Son of Maximilian I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
52Mathias
(Matyáš)
1611–1619Brother of Rudolph II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
House of Wittelsbach
53Frederick I
(Fridrich I.)
1619–1620Elected by the Crown's Estates at the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, but after losing the Battle of White Mountain, he fled the country.

Usurpers and hereditary kings

House of Habsburg
54Ferdinand II1619–1637Cousin of Matthias. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
55Ferdinand III1637–1657Son of Ferdinand II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor. From this time on, Bohemia no longer had an elective monarchy, with the Habsburgs having imposed their exclusive rule at the Battle of the White Mountain.
56Ferdinand IV1646–1654Son of Ferdinand III. Junior co-monarch during his father's reign. Also King of Hungary and King of the Romans.
57Leopold I1657–1705Brother of Ferdinand IV. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
58Joseph I
(Josef I.)
1705–1711Son of Leopold I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
59Charles II
(Karel II.)
1711–1740Brother of Joseph I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor as Charles VI.
60Maria Theresa
(Marie Terezie)
1740–1780Daughter of Charles II. Also Queen of Hungary.
House of Wittelsbach
61Charles Albert
(Karel Albrecht)
1741–1743Son-in-law of Joseph I. Anti-king to Maria Theresa during the War of the Austrian Succession. Also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles VII.
House of Habsburg-Lorraine
62Joseph II
(Josef II.)
1780–1790Son of Maria Theresa. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
63Leopold II1790–1792Brother of Joseph II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
64Francis I
(František I.)
1792–1835Son of Leopold II. Also King of Hungary, Holy Roman Emperor to 1806, Emperor of Austria from 1804.
65Ferdinand V1835–1848Son of Francis I. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Last crowned King of Bohemia. Forced to abdicate during the Revolution of 1848.
66Francis Joseph I
(František Josef I.)
1848–1916Nephew of Ferdinand V. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
67Charles III
(Karel III.)
1916–1918Grandnephew of Francis Joseph I. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Ruled briefly during World War I; in November 1918 renounced participation in state affairs but did not abdicate.

Presidents of Czechoslovakia (1918–1992)

PortraitNameLifespanEthnicityElectedTook officeLeft officePolitical affiliation(s)

First Czechoslovak Republic

68Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk1850–1937Czech1918
1920
1927
1934
14 November 191814 December 1935Independent
Milan Hodža1878–1944SlovakActing14 December 193518 December 1935RSZML
69Edvard Beneš1884–1948Czech193518 December 19355 October 1938ČSNS
Jan Syrový1888–1970CzechActing5 October 193830 November 1938Independent

Second Czechoslovak Republic

70Emil Hácha1872–1945Czech193830 November 193815 March 1939Independent

Occupation

Czechoslovak government-in-exile

Edvard Beneš1884–1948Czech194021 July 19404 April 1945ČSNS

Third Czechoslovak Republic

69Edvard Beneš1884–1948Czech19464 April 19457 June 1948ČSNS

Communist Era

71Klement Gottwald1896–1953Czech19487 June 194814 March 1953KSČ
72Antonín Zápotocký1884–1957Czech195314 March 195313 November 1957KSČ
Viliam Široký1902–1971HungarianActing13 November 195719 November 1957KSČ
73Antonín Novotný1904–1975Czech1957
1964
19 November 195722 March 1968KSČ
Jozef Lenárt1923–2004SlovakActing22 March 196830 March 1968KSČ
74Ludvík Svoboda1895–1979Czech1968
1973
30 March 196828 May 1975KSČ
75Gustáv Husák1913–1991Slovak1975
1980
1985
29 May 197510 December 1989KSČ
Marián Čalfa1946-SlovakActing10 December 198929 December 1989KSČ

Post–Communist Era

76Václav Havel1936–2011Czech1989
1990
1992
29 December 198920 July 1992OF
Jan Stráský1940–2019CzechActing20 July 199231 December 1992ODS

Presidents of the Czech Republic (1993–present)

Parties
President
Took officeLeft officePartyTermPrevious office(s)
Václav Klaus
1 January 19932 February 1993Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
Minister of Finance of Czechoslovakia,[9] Incumbent Prime Minister acting pending the presidential election
Milan Uhde
Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
Incumbent Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament acting pending the presidential election
76Václav Havel
2 February 19932 February 2003Independentbgcolor=
bgcolor=
Vladimír Špidla
3 February 20037 March 2003ČSSDIncumbent Prime Minister acting during vacancy
Lubomír Zaorálek
ČSSDIncumbent Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament acting during vacancy
77Václav Klaus
7 March 20037 March 2013Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
bgcolor= Minister of Finance of Czechoslovakia,[10] Prime Minister, Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament [11]
bgcolor=
78Miloš Zeman
8 March 20138 March 2023Party of Civic Rights
(SPO)
bgcolor=
bgcolor=
79Petr Pavel
9 March 2023IncumbentIndependentbgcolor= Chief of the General Staff

Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

See also

References

  1. According to a bold hypothesis by historian Jaroslav Zástěra, the Premyslid dynasty was a possible direct descendant of the ruling family of Great Moravia, being Borivoj a son of Rastislav of Moravia. See Hypotheses and citations of articles by J. Zástěry on the website of the Club of Friends of the Znojmo Rotunda (in Czech)
  2. Web site: Saint Ludmila Slavic saint . Encyclopaedia Britannica . Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. . September 11, 2018.
  3. Web site: Wenceslas I. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2022-05-11.
  4. Web site: Sep 28 – St Wenceslaus (907-929) martyr. CatholicIreland.net. 2011-09-28. 2022-05-11.
  5. According to legend. See page of the duke for details.
  6. The intermission of other feudal lords of different branches could be seen as regencies, as it would happen, for example, in the 15-century Duchy of Austria, where Duke Frederick V exerted regency for his minor cousin, Ladislaus the Posthumous. However, these intermissions could be also similar, for example, to Kievan Rus', where rulers apparently "jumped" from place to place. Albeit this, nothing is proved.
  7. The note referring to the regencies could apply here as well. The reason Conrad did not receive his duchy right after his father's death could be related to a possible minority that stopped him for assuming his power sooner.
  8. The regency referred in previous notes may be proven here: in 1126, when his father died, he was too young to assume power. The rulers appointed by Sobeslaus I in the period 1126-40 could be functioning as regents.
  9. Web site: Ministři v historii. 5 April 2018. Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic.
  10. Web site: Ministři v historii. 5 April 2018. Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic.
  11. Web site: Prof. Ing. Václav Klaus, CSc.. 5 April 2018. Poslanecká sněmovna Parlament České republiky.
  12. Web site: Ing. Miloš Zeman. 5 April 2018. Poslanecká sněmovna Parlament České republiky.

External links