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Translation of the relics of martyr Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, the patron saint of the Czech state

Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935.

Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935. According to the legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel.

His martyrdom and the popularity of several biographies gave rise to a reputation for heroic virtue that resulted in his sainthood. He was posthumously declared to be a king and patron saint of the Czech state. He is the subject of the well-known "Good King Wenceslas", a carol for Saint Stephen's Day.

Historical Significance

Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935.

Events Before

  1. Battle of Riade: German King Henry I defeats the Magyars in northern Thuringia

    The Battle of Riade or Battle of Merseburg was fought between the troops of East Francia under King Henry I and the Magyars at an unidentified location in northern Thuringia along the river Unstrut...

  2. Saint Wenceslas is murdered by his brother Boleslaus I of Bohemia

    Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935.

  3. Duke Alberik II of Spoleto appoints his son Pope Leo VII

    Duke Alberik II of Spoleto appoints his son Pope Leo VII

  4. Louis IV [Louis of Overseas], crowned King of France

    Louis IV (920/921 – 10 September 954), called d'Outremer or Transmarinus ("From overseas"), reigned as King of West Francia from 936 to 954.

  5. Otto I the Great crowned King of Germany (East Francia)

    East Francia (Latin: Francia orientalis) or the Kingdom of the East Franks (Regnum Francorum orientalium) was a successor state of the Carolingian Empire ruled by the Carolingian dynasty until 911.

Events After

  1. Battle at Simancas: Spain defeats the Moors

    Simancas is a town and municipality of central Spain, located in the province of Valladolid, part of the autonomous community of Castile and León.

  2. Battle at Andernach: King Otto and Hermann of Swabia defeat Eberhard of Franconia and Giselbert of Lotharingia

    Battle at Andernach: King Otto and Hermann of Swabia defeat Eberhard of Franconia and Giselbert of Lotharingia

  3. Edmund I succeeds Athelstan as King of England

    Æthelstan or Athelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to his death in 939. He was the son of King Edward the Elder and his first wife, Ecgwynn.

  4. The Major Occultation, or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi, begins with the death of the 4th successive agent of th

    The Major Occultation, or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi, begins with the death of the 4th successive agent of the Hidden Imam (Twelver Shia Islam)

  5. Alberic II of Spoleto elevates nominates Marinus II, who was also erroneously called Martin III (Martinus III), as Catho

    Alberic II of Spoleto elevates nominates Marinus II, who was also erroneously called Martin III (Martinus III), as Catholic Pope

More from the 930s

World's oldest parliament, the Icelandic Parliament is established, the Alþingi (anglicised as Althing or Althingi)

The Alþingi, anglicised as Althingi or Althing, is the supreme national parliament of Iceland. It is the oldest surviving parliament in the world.

Saint Wenceslas is murdered by his brother Boleslaus I of Bohemia

Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935.

Duke Alberik II of Spoleto appoints his son Pope Leo VII

Duke Alberik II of Spoleto appoints his son Pope Leo VII

Battle of Riade: German King Henry I defeats the Magyars in northern Thuringia

The Battle of Riade or Battle of Merseburg was fought between the troops of East Francia under King Henry I and the Magyars at an unidentified location in northern Thuringia along the river Unstrut...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 4, 938?
Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935. According to the legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel. His martyrdom and the popularity of several biographies gave rise to a reputation for heroic virtue that resulted in his sainthood.
Why is Translation of the relics of martyr Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, the patron... significant?
Wenceslaus I, Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935.

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March 4 in HistoryYear 938