Wenceslaus Hajek

This work served as the main source of Czech historical and national consciousness until the end of the 18th century, when numerous errors and fabrications contained in it were recognized.

A scion of a noble family based in Libočany near Žatec, western Bohemia, Hajek was ordained priest of the Kostelec parish near Budyně nad Ohří in 1520.

Hajek initially was a member of the Bohemian Unity of the Brethren but later converted to Catholicism (a significantly minority religion in otherwise Protestant Bohemia at that time).

In 1524 he served as a preacher at the St. Thomas' Church in Prague quarter Malá Strana (Lesser Town); from 1527 as a dean of Karlštejn Castle and a priest in Tetín.

Hájek reached the peak of ecclesiastical career when he became provost of Stará Boleslav Chapter, however, he fell from grace shortly afterwards and retired to Prague.