Slavník dynasty

The Slavniks/Slavníks[a] or Slavnikids (Czech: Slavníkovci; German: Slawnikiden; Polish: Sławnikowice) was a dynasty in the Duchy of Bohemia during the 10th century.

[9] Prince (dux) Slavník (†981), is generally considered as the founder of the dynasty, as there is no certain older relevant personality (possibly duke Witizla from 895[10]).

According to Bruno of Querfurt, Slavník was the grandson of the Saxon duke Henry I, by maternal line most probably of an unknown Slavic woman, with whom Otto I had an illegitimate son William.

[13] According to Canaprius and Bruno of Querfurt, Slavnik was a noble ruler, and although he ruled over a vast territory and had plenty of gold and silver and minions, he was a humble man, generous towards to the poor people.

[20] This was a direct challenge to Boleslaus II; he could not afford any mighty rivals and was determined to add the Slavnik lands to his dukedom.

[27] The strength of the conflict of the two dynasties is also demonstrated by the Přemyslid rulers' refusal to ransom Saint Adalbert's body from the Prussians who murdered him, so it was purchased by Bolesław I, and was quickly canonized by the common effort with Otto III.

[29] According to the Czech archaeologist E. Šimek (1930), who researched the note by Cosmas of Prague,[30] the center of the Slavnik's principality was Libice, a castrum located at the confluence of the rivers Cidlina and Elbe,[31] and fort Stara Kouřim.