Záviš of Falkenstein

Like many other Bohemian nobles he was concerned over the rise of the Přemyslid prince Ottokar II, son and heir of King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia, who in 1251 was installed as Austrian duke.

Bohemian king from 1253, Ottokar founded the royal city of Budějovice (Budweis) and Zlatá Koruna Abbey to hinder further expansion of the Vítkovci domains; he also denied dynasty's entitlement to the Lordship of Velešín.

Rudolf reclaimed the Austrian duchy and numerous other 'alienated' territories; when in 1276 he imposed an Imperial ban on Ottokar, several Bohemian nobles around Záviš took the occasion for open revolt.

Although the Přemyslid king could suppress the Bohemian uprising with decisive action and forced Záviš to flee, Rudolf also demanded the restoration of the Vítkovci estates.

Upon the king's death, the Bohemian lands were ruled by the Ascanian margrave Otto of Brandenburg, acting as regent and guardian of Ottokar's minor son Wenceslaus II.

Once Otto of Brandenburg was expelled, he took his place at the head of local nobles along with Bishop Tobiáš of Bechyně, gained strong influence over the young king and manned important offices with his relatives and fellows.