Kingdom of Bohemia: Map & History
The Kingdom of Bohemia, or just Bohemia sometimes referenced in English literature as the Czech Kingdom, was a medieval and early modern monarchy in Central Europe.
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The Kingdom of Bohemia, or just Bohemia sometimes referenced in English literature as the Czech Kingdom, was a medieval and early modern monarchy in Central Europe. It was the predecessor state of the modern Czech Republic.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kingdom of Bohemia
At its mapped extent, Kingdom of Bohemia covered territory in 7 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Czechia1202–1528 CE · nearly all
- Slovakia1305–1313 CE · nearly all
- Slovenia1260–1278 CE · nearly all
- Austria1260–1278 CE · a large part
- Poland1305–1528 CE · a large part
- Hungary1305–1313 CE · a small part
- Germany1375–1384 CE · a small part
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kingdom of Bohemia's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kingdom of Bohemia in Depth
History
Although some former rulers of Bohemia had enjoyed a non-hereditary royal title during the 11th and 12th centuries (Vratislaus II, Vladislaus II), the kingdom was formally established (by elevating Duchy of Bohemia) in 1198 by Přemysl Ottokar I, who had his status acknowledged by Philip of Swabia, elected King of the Romans, in return for his support against the rival Emperor Otto IV. In 1204 Ottokar's royal status was accepted by Otto IV as well as by Pope Innocent III. It was officially recognized in 1212 by the Golden Bull of Sicily issued by Emperor Frederick II, elevating the Duchy of Bohemia to Kingdom status and proclaiming its independence which was also later bolstered by future king of Bohemia and emperor Charles IV, with his golden bull in 1356.
Economy
Bohemia was among the first countries in Europe to become industrialized. Mining of tin and silver began in Ore mountains in early 12th century. The German hospes had a major role in the industrial development of the Czech Kingdom. In the late 12th and in the 13th century the Přemyslid rulers promoted the colonisation of certain areas of their lands by German settlers from the adjacent lands of Bavaria, Franconia, Upper Saxony and Austria during the Ostsiedlung migration. The new settlers not only brought their customs and language with them, but also new technical skills and equipment that were adapted within a few decades, especially in agriculture and crafts.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kingdom of Bohemia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kingdom of Bohemia: Key Facts
| Capital | Prague |
|---|---|
| Official language | Czech |
| Religions | Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 1198 |
| Dissolved | 1918 |
Preceded by
Succeeded by
- First Czechoslovak Republic
- Czechoslovakia
Facts from Wikidata Q42585 (CC0).
Kingdom of Bohemia Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Kingdom of Bohemia appears, with the other states of the time.
Kingdom of Bohemia Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 170,554 km² in 1380 CE.
Kingdom of Bohemia: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kingdom of Bohemia exist?
The Kingdom of Bohemia is dated to 1202 CE – 1528 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia?
The capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia was Prague.
How large was the Kingdom of Bohemia at its peak?
At its peak in 1380 AD the Kingdom of Bohemia covered about 170,554 km².
How did the map of the Kingdom of Bohemia change over time?
The Kingdom of Bohemia appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1300 CE to 1500 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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