Czech nobility consists of the

noble families Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. The characterist ...

from historical

Czech lands The Czech lands or the Bohemian lands ( cs, České země ) are the three historical regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. Together the three have formed the Czech part of Czechoslovakia since 1918, the Czech Socialist Republic since 1 ...

, especially in their narrow sense, i.e. nobility of Bohemia proper,

Moravia Moravia ( , also , ; cs, Morava ; german: link=yes, Mähren ; pl, Morawy ; szl, Morawa; la, Moravia) is a historical region in the east of the Czech Republic and one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The me ...

and Austrian Silesia – whether these families originated from those countries or moved into them through the centuries. These are connected with the history of

Great Moravia Great Moravia ( la, Regnum Marahensium; el, Μεγάλη Μοραβία, ''Meghálī Moravía''; cz, Velká Morava ; sk, Veľká Morava ; pl, Wielkie Morawy), or simply Moravia, was the first major state that was predominantly West Slavs, Wes ...

, Duchy of Bohemia, later

Kingdom of Bohemia The Kingdom of Bohemia ( cs, České království),; la, link=no, Regnum Bohemiae sometimes in English literature referred to as the Czech Kingdom, was a medieval and early modern monarchy in Central Europe, the predecessor of the modern Czec ...

Margraviate of Moravia The Margraviate of Moravia ( cs, Markrabství moravské; german: Markgrafschaft Mähren) was one of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown within the Holy Roman Empire existing from 1182 to 1918. It was officially administrated by a margrave in cooperat ...

, the

Duchies of Silesia The Duchies of Silesia were the more than twenty divisions of the region of Silesia formed between the 12th and 14th centuries by the breakup of the Duchy of Silesia, then part of the Kingdom of Poland. In 1335, the duchies were ceded to the King ...

and the Crown of Bohemia, the constitutional predecessor state of the modern-day

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...

. Noble titles were abolished by law (No. 61/1918 Sb. z. a n.) in December 1918, shortly after the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. During the period of

Nazism Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Na ...

and

communism Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, a s ...

, representatives of Czech noble families were often persecuted. After the

Velvet Revolution The Velvet Revolution ( cs, Sametová revoluce) or Gentle Revolution ( sk, Nežná revolúcia) was a non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 28 November 1989. Popular demonstrations agains ...

in 1989, the property confiscated by the communists was returned to the nobility.

History

The beginnings of the Czech nobility can be seen in the time of the first Přemyslid princes and kings, i.e. in the 9th century. As a legally defined state of nobility in the

, it arose in the course of the 13th century, when members of noble families began to own newly built stone castles. The influence of the nobility rose rapidly, which became the cause of a strained relationship between the king and the nobility during the last Přemyslid kings and especially during the reign of

John of Bohemia John the Blind or John of Luxembourg ( lb, Jang de Blannen; german: link=no, Johann der Blinde; cz, Jan Lucemburský; 10 August 1296 – 26 August 1346), was the Count of Luxembourg from 1313 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of ...

and his grandson,

Wenceslaus IV Wenceslaus IV (also ''Wenceslas''; cs, Václav; german: Wenzel, nicknamed "the Idle"; 26 February 136116 August 1419), also known as Wenceslaus of Luxembourg, was King of Bohemia from 1378 until his death and King of Germany from 1376 until he w ...

at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. Jiri-z-podebrad-ceskym-kralem

After the burning of Jan Hus in 1415, Czech society and therefore the Czech nobility was divided into two groups - Catholic and Hussite (later Protestant). Both groups were at war with each other both during the

Hussite Wars The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars or the Hussite Revolution, were a series of civil wars fought between the Hussites and the combined Catholic forces of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, the Papacy, European monarchs loyal to the Cat ...

and long after them. After the end of the Hussite Wars and the rule of the Luxembourgers in the 1530s, the country was controlled by various noble associations. In 1452, they agreed on a land administrator, who became the noble

George of Poděbrady George of Kunštát and Poděbrady (23 April 1420 – 22 March 1471), also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad ( cs, Jiří z Poděbrad; german: Georg von Podiebrad), was the sixteenth King of Bohemia, who ruled in 1458–1471. He was a leader of the ...

. Five years later he was elected King of Bohemia, but disputes between the Catholic and Protestant nobility continued until the outbreak of the

Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (80 ...

in 1618.

The status of the nobility further increased in 1500, when the Vladislav land constitution was issued. In 1526,

Ferdinand I of Habsburg Ferdinand I ( es, Fernando I; 10 March 1503 – 25 July 1564) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1556, King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Croatia from 1526, and Archduke of Austria from 1521 until his death in 1564.Milan Kruhek: Cetin, grad izbornog sabo ...

was elected King of Bohemia. He, along with his successors, tried to reduce the influence of the nobility. This process was interrupted during the reign of

Rudolf II Rudolf II (18 July 1552 – 20 January 1612) was Holy Roman Emperor (1576–1612), King of Hungary and Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg), Croatia (as Rudolf I, 1572–1608), King of Bohemia (1575–1608/1611) and Archduke of Austria (1576–160 ...

in the years 1576-1611. In 1618, the Protestant part of the Czech estates started the Bohemian Revolt by throwing imperial officials out of the windows of Prague Castle. Czech Protestants were defeated in the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, and the following year 27 leaders of this rebellion were executed. Thus, the Catholic aristocracy definitively won over the Protestant aristocracy in Bohemia, but at the same time the

absolutist monarchy Absolute monarchy (or Absolutism as a doctrine) is a form of monarchy in which the monarch rules in their own right or power. In an absolute monarchy, the king or queen is by no means limited and has absolute power, though a limited constitut ...

won over the estate monarchy. During the

after the Battle of White Mountain, a large part of the Protestant nobility had their property confiscated. Many new noble families came to the Czech lands at this time, originally usually from

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

. Of the old Czech noble families, for example, the Kinsky, Sternberg, Kolowrat,

Czernin The House of Czernin ( cs, Černínové z Chudenic; german: Czernin von und zu Chudenitz) is a Czech noble family that was one of the oldest and most prominent noble families in the Kingdom of Bohemia. The family is a descendent family of the ...

, Lobkowitz, Pernštejn or Lichtenstein families remained in Bohemia, while the Eggenberg,

Bucquoy Bucquoy () is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The grounds, property of the Lords of Bucquoy, became a county in 1666 by request of Charles II. Geography A farming village located 12 ...

Colloredo-Mannsfeld The House of Colloredo-Mansfeld () is an originally Italian noble family of which a branch came to Austria in the late 16th century. There they were raised to barons in 1588, imperial counts in 1727 and imperial princes (in primogeniture) in 1763. ...

, Gallas, Piccolomini,

Schwarzenberg Schwarzenberg may refer to: People * House of Schwarzenberg, Franconian and Bohemian aristocratic family which was first mentioned in 1172 ** Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg (1771–1820), Field Marshal in Austrian service during the Napol ...

and others arrived. Museum, Prague, Bohemia, Austro-Hungary WDL2629

From the 17th century, only the Catholic Czech nobility significantly participated in the functioning of the

Habsburg Monarchy The Habsburg monarchy (german: Habsburgermonarchie, ), also known as the Danubian monarchy (german: Donaumonarchie, ), or Habsburg Empire (german: Habsburgerreich, ), was the collection of empires, kingdoms, duchies, counties and other polities ...

. Newly arrived families gradually identified with the Czech lands and often also with the Czech language. At the end of the 18th century, a period called Josephinism began. His representative, the Emperor and King Joseph II (1780-1790), initiated extensive reforms that significantly changed the position of the nobility and reduced the number of aristocratic privileges. Part of the modernization of the country was also the prioritization of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

at the expense of Czech (the purpose was more efficient state administration). Prague horse races Kuchlbad

During the 19th century, the Czech nobility was significantly involved in the process of

national revival National revival or national awakening is a period of ethnic self-consciousness that often precedes a political movement for national liberation but that can take place at a time when independence is politically unrealistic. In the history of Eur ...

, the promotion of the

Czech language Czech (; Czech ), historically also Bohemian (; ''lingua Bohemica'' in Latin), is a West Slavic language of the Czech–Slovak group, written in Latin script. Spoken by over 10 million people, it serves as the official language of the Czech Re ...

and the emergence of modern Czech culture and society. Prominent representatives of the patriotic nobility were especially the Sternberg,

Chotek The House of Chotek was an old and influential Czech noble family in the Kingdom of Bohemia, whose members occupied many important positions within Holy Roman Empire and later in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. History The family is first docume ...

, Kolowrat, Kinsky and Lobkowitz. In the second half of the 19th century, representatives of these and other families became involved in emerging parliamentary activity. The patriotically oriented nobles founded the Party of the Conservative Estate, cooperating with the

Old Czech Party The Old Czech Party ( cz, Staročeši, officially National Party, ''Národní strana'') was formed in the Kingdom of Bohemia and Bohemian Crown Lands of Austrian Empire in Revolution Year of 1848. They initiated Czech national program, forming ...

, another aristocratic political force was the Party of the Constitutionalist Estate. In the second half of the 19th century, the ranks of the Czech nobility were expanded by successful businessmen, politicians and artists, for example the Bartoň family, the founder of the

Škoda Works The Škoda Works ( cs, Škodovy závody, ) was one of the largest European industrial conglomerates of the 20th century, founded by Czech engineer Emil Škoda in 1859 in Plzeň, then in the Kingdom of Bohemia, Austrian Empire. It is the predece ...

Emil Škoda, the industrialist František Rienghoffer, the leader of the

František Ladislav Rieger František Ladislav Rieger (10 December 1818 – 3 March 1903) was a Czech politician and publicist made famous for his leadership of the early Czech nationalist movement. Early life Rieger was born into the household of a miller in the town of ...

, the composer

Antonín Dvořák Antonín Leopold Dvořák ( ; ; 8 September 1841 – 1 May 1904) was a Czechs, Czech composer. Dvořák frequently employed rhythms and other aspects of the folk music of Moravian traditional music, Moravia and his native Bohemia, following t ...

and the writer

Jaroslav Vrchlický Jaroslav Vrchlický (; 17 February 1853 – 9 September 1912) was a Czech lyrical poet. He was nominated for the Nobel prize in literature eight times. Life He was born Emilius Jakob Frida in Louny. He lived ten years with his uncle, a p ...

. The representatives of this so-called new nobility, however, usually remained outside the Czech aristocracy. After the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, the monarchy disappeared in the Czech lands and a republic was established. Most of the Czech nobility held monarchist positions, but remained loyal to the newly established Czechoslovak Republic. Some nobles even entered the service of the Czechoslovak Republic and worked in diplomacy (for example, representatives of the Lobkowitz,

and others). The Czechoslovak Republic confiscated the property of the Habsburgs and Hohenbergs, and the Clam-Martinic family also lost their property. During the following years, the property was sold off and the Fürstenbergs, for example, left the country. Zdenko Radslav Kinský

The turning point occurred in 1938. In response to the direct threat to the democratic state by

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...

, the most important noble families issued a Declaration of the members of the old Czech families on the inviolability of the territory of the Czech state. During the audience with President Edvard Beneš, members of the

, Lobkowitz, Kinsky, Kolowrat,

, Sternberg,

, Parish, Dobrozenský, Strachwitz, and Belcredi publicly joined him. A similar statement was issued a year later, already in the occupied

Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia; cs, Protektorát Čechy a Morava; its territory was called by the Nazis ("the rest of Czechia"). was a partially annexed territory of Nazi Germany established on 16 March 1939 following the German oc ...

. In September 1939, the National Declaration of the Czech Nobility was drawn up, in which 85 of the most important Czech noblemen from 33 noble families declared their Czech nationality. The Nazis subsequently confiscated the property of these nobles, and some then lived through the war in house internment or in concentration camps. Some nobles managed to emigrate. Part of the nobles actively participated in the domestic resistance, for example the Bořek-Dohalský brothers were murdered in a concentration camp, Karel VI Schwarzenberg or Václav Norbert Kinský participated in the anti-Nazi uprising in 1945. In 1945, the properties of most Czech noble families were returned. However, there was a deportation of the majority of the population of German nationality, in which both the nobles who collaborated with the Nazis and the nobles who did not collaborate with the Nazis, but only claimed German nationality before the war, lost their property. For example, Trauttmansdorff,

Windischgrätz The House of Windisch-Graetz, also spelled Windisch-Grätz, is an Austrian-Slovenian aristocratic family, descending from Windischgraz in Lower Styria (present-day Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia). The noble dynasty serving the House of Habsburg achieve ...

, Clam-Gallas,

Thurn-Taxis The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis (german: link=no, Fürstenhaus Thurn und Taxis ) is a family of German nobility that is part of the ''Briefadel''. It was a key player in the postal services in Europe during the 16th century, until the end ...

Desfours Desfours is the name of a noble family of French descent that originated in the Lorraine, but became prominent in Bohemia during the 16th century. History Their parent house is the Athienville from Luneville and Chateau-Salins. The family ...

, or one branch of the Kinsky,

and Rohan families had to leave the Czech lands. Due to the growing influence of the communists in

Czechoslovakia , rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי, , common_name = Czechoslovakia , life_span = 1918–19391945–1992 , p1 = Austria-Hungary , image_p1 ...

in the years 1945 - 1948, the return of some property was also withheld (the

case), or the unjust confiscation of the primogeniture property of the

family based on the Lex Schwarzenberg Act of 1947). The Liechtenstein family is still suing the

for seized property, as well as several other families labeled as Germans after the war. In 1948, there was a communist coup in Czechoslovakia. Subsequently, the property of all noble families was confiscated. A large part of the Czech nobility therefore emigrated (for example, the

, Colloredo-Mannsfelds, Kolowrat, Hildprand, some Lobkowitz or Sternberg). The nobles who stayed at home (such as the Kinsky, Wratislav,

, some Sternberg and Lobkowitz) were variously persecuted, for example they were prevented from studying, usually they were also evicted to unsuitable dwellings. Some members of the Czech nobility were imprisoned. VH 2008

After the

in 1989, properties seized by the communist regime were returned to their original owners. Members of the Czech nobility who emigrated abroad returned to their estates. Some subsequently returned to public life (for example,

Karel Schwarzenberg Prince Karel of Schwarzenberg (, born 10 December 1937) is a Czech politician, former leader of the TOP 09 party and was its candidate for president of the Czech Republic in the 2013 election. He served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies (MP ...

as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Member of Parliament and Senator, Michal Lobkowitz as Minister of Defense and Member of Parliament,

Tomáš Czernin Tomáš () is a Czech and Slovak given name, equivalent to the name Thomas. It may refer to: * Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1850–1937), first President of Czechoslovakia * Tomáš Baťa (1876–1932), Czech footwear entrepreneur * Tomáš Berdych ( ...

as Senator). Other Czech nobles devote themselves, for example, to business, culture, science, the church, or knightly orders.

List of important noble families

* Bavor of Strakonice * Belcredi * Bibra * Boskowicz * Bořek-Dohalský * Bruntálský of Vrbno *

Bubna of Litice The House of Bubna-Litic (german: Bubna von Lititz) or Bubna of Litice, ( cs, Bubnové z Litic) is a Czech noble family dating back to the 14th century. History Originally members of lower nobility (vladyka) from the castle of Buben in western Boh ...

* Chorinský of Ledská *

Clary-Aldringen The House of Clary und Aldringen, also known as Clary-Aldringen, is one of the most prominent Austro-Hungarian princely families. Originally from Friuli, Northern Italy, one branch of the family moved to the County of Tyrol around 1500 and to the ...

* Deym of Střítež * Dobřenský of Dobřenice * Dubá *

Berka of Dubá Berka of Dubá ( cs, Berka z Dubé) was a cadet branch of a Bohemian noble family of Lords of Dubá established by Hynek Berka of Dubá (1249–1306). It held estates in what is today the Czech Republic and Saxony in Germany throughout the Middl ...

* Jelení * Hildprandt *

Harrach The House of Harrach is an old and influential Bohemian and Austro-German noble family. The ''Grafen'' (Counts) of Harrach were among the most prominent families in the Habsburg Empire. As one of few mediatized families, it belongs to high nobility ...

* Hradec * Hohenberg * Kamenický of Kamenice * Kinsky *

Colditz Colditz () is a small town in the district of Leipzig, in Saxony, Germany. It is best known for Colditz Castle, the site of the Oflag IV-C POW camp for officers in World War II. Geography Colditz is situated in the Leipzig Bay, southeast of the c ...

* Kolowrat *

Kaunitz Wenzel Anton, Prince of Kaunitz-Rietberg (german: Wenzel Anton Reichsfürst von Kaunitz-Rietberg, cz, Václav Antonín z Kounic a Rietbergu; 2 February 1711 – 27 June 1794) was an Austrian and Czech diplomat and statesman in the Habsburg monarc ...

* Krajíř of Krajek * Kravaře * Kunštát * Lichtenburg *

Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy ...

* Lanna * Larisch *

Lichnowsky The House of Lichnowsky or House of Lichnovský is the name of an influential Czech aristocratic family of Silesian and Moravian origin, documented since the 14th century. History The noble family first appeared in the Duchy of Pless (Pszczyna) ...

* Lipá * Lobkowicz * Martinic * Nostitz * Paar *

Parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or m ...

* Pernštejn * Piccolomini *

Poděbrady Poděbrady (; german: Podiebrad) is a spa town in Nymburk District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 14,000 inhabitants. It lies on the river Elbe. The town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an u ...

* Přemyslid * Rohan *

Ronovci The Ronovci (also Hronovci or Ronovici) were one of the oldest and most important Czech noble families. The first reports of their existence date from the end of the 12th century and are associated with Tuhány, central Bohemia and later with Baut ...

* Rosenberg * Švihovský of Rýzmberk * Slavata of Chlum *

Slavník Slavník (died 981) was a White Croatian nobleman, the founder of Slavník dynasty. Slavník rose to power during the reign of Boleslaus II of the Přemyslid dynasty. Slavník controlled significant estates within central Bohemia, and was overlor ...

* Smiřický of Smiřice * Schlick *

* Sporck * Sternberg * Schwamberg *

Thun-Hohenstein The House of Thun und Hohenstein, also known as Thun-Hohenstein, belonged to the historical Austrian and Bohemian nobility. There is one princely and several comital branches of the family. The princely branch of the family lived at Děčín (Tets ...

Trčka of Lípa Trčka (feminine Trčková) is a Czech surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Adam Erdmann Trčka von Lípa (1599–1634), Bohemian nobleman and lieutenant field marshal of the Thirty Years' War * Aleš Trčka (born 1961), Czech cycli ...

Tunkl of Brníčko Tunkl of Brníčko, fully Tunkl of Brníčko and Zábřeh (german: Tunkl von Aschbrunn und Hohenstad, la, Tunkl de brniczko et in zabrzeh) was a Moravian aristocratic family. The nobiliary particle is a reference to their major castle, called Br ...

Vítkovci The Vítkovci ( la, Witikonides) were a Czech noble clan from southern Bohemia descended from Witiko of Prčice. The clan includes the House of Rosenberg The House of Rosenberg ( cs, Rožmberkové, sg. ''z Rožmberka'') was a prominent Bo ...

Vlašim Vlašim (; german: Wlaschim) is a town in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. Vlašim is known for its castle and English style park. Administrative parts Villages of Bolina, D ...

* Vršovci * Waldstein *

Wratislaw of Mitrovice Wratislaw of Mitrovice or Vratislav of Mitrovice ( cs, Vratislavové z Mitrovic; german: Wratislaw von Mitrowitz) is a Czech noble family. The first mentioned member of the family is Wratislaw, who acquired the estate of Mitrovice in 1448. The ...

* Zajíc of Hazmburk *

Zedtwitz The House of Zedtwitz is the name of an old and distinguished German and Czech noble house which originated from Franconia, Germany. History The family first appeared in a written document in 1235 and later in 1288 where progenitor Berthold v ...

Zierotin The House of Žerotín or House of Zierotin was a Czech noble family in the Lands of the Bohemian Crown, one of the oldest and most illustrious noble families from Bohemia and Moravia. The family was first mentioned around the year 1200 as ''Bl ...

Gallery

Votivni obraz Ocko - Vojtech inverse.jpg, Saint Adalbert (c. 956–997), the second

bishop of Prague The following is a list of bishops and archbishops of Prague. The bishopric of Prague was established in 973, and elevated to an archbishopric on 30 April 1344. The current Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Prague is the continual successor of the bis ...

and later a missionary among the Prussians is for his life and deeds honoured as a patron saint of three countries Petr z Rožmberka.jpg, Peter I of Rosenberg (?–1347), important politician and philanthropist, associated with the Book of Rosenberg, the oldest legal publication written in Czech Jensky kodex Zizka.jpg, Jan Žižka of Trocnov and Kalich (c. 1360–1424), a small yeoman, later main commander of Hussite troops who thanks to his innovative tactics, although blind, didn't lose a single battle Martin Kuthen-George of Podebrady.jpg, George of Kunštát and Poděbrady (1420–1471), the only Bohemian lord who managed to gain the royal rank (via election), remembered especially for his proposal to create peaceful all-European union of Christian states Vojtěch z Pernštejna.JPG,

Vojtěch I of Pernštejn Vojtěch I of Pernštejn (also known as ''Adalbert I of Pernstein'', cz, Vojtěch z Pernštejna; 4 April 1490 at Moravský Krumlov Castle – 17 March 1534 in Prague) was a Bohemian nobleman, member of the Pernštejn family. He was High Hofmeiste ...

(1490–1534), aristocratic magnate and supreme court master Vilém z Rožmberka, obraz.jpg,

William of Rosenberg William of Rosenberg ( cz, Vilém z Rožmberka; 10 March 1535 – 31 August 1592), was a Bohemian nobleman. He served as High Treasurer and High Burgrave of Bohemia. Life William of Rosenberg was a member of the influential noble House of ...

(1535–1592), an important statesman and philanthropist, a moderate representative of the Catholic nobility in the period before the Thirty Years' War Hajek.jpg, Hagecius (1525–1600), astronomer, naturalist and personal physician of Emperor Rudolph II, who invited

Brahe Brahe (originally ''Bragde'') is the name of two closely related Scanian noble families who were influential in both Danish and Swedish history. Danish family The first member of the family using the name Brahe is speculated to have been Verner B ...

and

Kepler Johannes Kepler (; ; 27 December 1571 – 15 November 1630) was a German astronomer, mathematician, astrologer, natural philosopher and writer on music. He is a key figure in the 17th-century Scientific Revolution, best known for his laws o ...

Prague Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate ...

to scientific collaboration Vok.jpg, Petr Vok of Rosenberg (1539–1611), the last descendant of powerful and wealth "viceroyal" Rosenberg family, benefactor of the oldest Protestant church

Unity of the Brethren Unity of the Brethren (Latin ''Unitas Fratrum'') may refer to: *Unity of the Brethren (Czech Republic), the province of the Moravian Church in the Czech Republic *Unity of the Brethren (Texas), a Protestant church formed in the 1800s by Czech immig ...

Kryštof Harant.jpg, Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice (1564–1621), writer, military leader, diplomat, traveler and composer, one of the leaders of the Estates Protestant uprising of 1618, executed after the Catholic victory in the Battle of White Mountain Aegidius Sadeler - Albrecht Jan Smiřický on deathbed.jpg, Albrecht Jan Smiřický of Smiřice (1594–1618), the wealthiest lord of its era, possible candidate to the Bohemian throne and one of main heads of the anti-

Habsburg The House of Habsburg (), alternatively spelled Hapsburg in Englishgerman: Haus Habsburg, ; es, Casa de Habsburgo; hu, Habsburg család, it, Casa di Asburgo, nl, Huis van Habsburg, pl, dom Habsburgów, pt, Casa de Habsburgo, la, Domus Hab ...

Bohemian Revolt Heřman Černín.jpg, Heřman Czernin of Chudenice (1576–1651), traveler, diplomat and politician, highest provincial court master and chamberlain Wallenstein Reiterbild.JPG, Albrecht Václav von Wallenstein (1583–1634), famous military leader and politician during the

Thirty Years War The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, most destructive conflicts in History of Europe, European history, lasting from 1618 to 1648. Fought primarily in Central Europe, an es ...

, the first holder of title '' generalissimo'' in history Polyxena Pernstejn (cropped).jpg,

Polyxena of Lobkowicz Polyxena of Lobkowicz (1566 – 24 May 1642) was a politically active Czech noble and styled Princess of the House of Lobkowicz. She played an important role as the channel between the noble families of Bohemia and the imperial court in Vienna t ...

(1566–1642), née Pernštejn, most powerful and influential noblewoman of Early Modern Age in

Czech history The history of the Czech lands – an area roughly corresponding to the present-day Czech Republic – starts approximately 800,000 years BCE. A simple chopper from that age was discovered at the Red Hill ( cz, Červený kopec) archeological sit ...

, her political engagement and intrigues have greatly helped forcible re-Catholization of Bohemia after 1620 Peter Johannes Brandl 001.jpg, František Antonín Sporck (1662–1738), important benefactor and visionary, founder of the hospital in Kuks Wenzel Anton Graf von Kaunitz-Riethberg.jpg, Václav Antonín of Kaunitz-Rietberg (1711–1794), statesman and diplomat, state chancellor of the

, initiator of the Diplomatic Revolution Schwarzenberg, Joseph Adam.jpg, Josef I. Schwarzenberg (1722–1782), politician and philanthropist, founder of the Schwarzenberg Pension Institute for Employees Giovanni Battista Lampi Johann Rudolf Graf Czernin-Chudenitz.jpg, Jan Rudolf Czernin of Chudenice (1757–1845), patron and art collector, president of the Academy of Sciences, supreme chamber and hofmeister Kaspar Maria Sternberg Litho.JPG, Kašpar Maria of Sternberg (1761–1838), botanist, geologist, paleobotanist and founder of the Bohemian National Museum in Prague (1818) Radetzky Dauthage Litho 01.jpg, Josef Václav Radetzky von Radetz (1766–1858), Austrian field marshal and viceroy of Lombardy–Venetia, called the "Saviour of the House of Habsburg" during the revolution year of 1848 in Italy Karel Filip Schwarzenberg.jpg, Karl Filip Schwarzenberg (1771–1820), diplomat and military leader, victor over

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

in the

Battle of Leipzig The Battle of Leipzig (french: Bataille de Leipsick; german: Völkerschlacht bei Leipzig, ); sv, Slaget vid Leipzig), also known as the Battle of the Nations (french: Bataille des Nations; russian: Битва народов, translit=Bitva ...

Jiří Buquoy de Longeval-Georg Franz August de Longeval (1771–1851).jpg, Jiří Buquoy de Longueval (1781–1851), economist, writer, politician, businessman, inventor, founder of the first nature reserve in Bohemia Franz Anton von Kolowrat-Liebsteinsky (1778–1861) engraving crop.jpg, František Antonín Kolovrat (1778–1861), politician, prime minister Wilhelmine von Sagan.jpg, Vilemína Zaháňská von Sagan (1781–1839), salon owner, writer, supporter of the writer Božena Němcová Schwarzenberg.jpg, Cardinal Bedřich Schwarzenberg (1809–1885), Archbishop of Salzburg and Prague, theologian, mountaineer, public figure, initiator of the completion of the St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle František L Rieger.jpg,

(1818–1903), politician, co-founder of the National Party, knighted for his merits Emil Skoda.jpg, Emil Škoda (1839–1900), entrepreneur and engineer, founder of

– one of the largest European industrial conglomerates of the 20th c., knighted for his merits Dvorak.jpg,

(1841–1904), one of the most important Czech and European music composers, knighted for his merits Bertha von Suttner 1860s.jpg,

Bertha von Suttner Bertha Sophie Felicitas Freifrau von Suttner (; ; 9 June 184321 June 1914) was an Austrian-Bohemian pacifist and novelist. In 1905, she became the second female Nobel laureate (after Marie Curie in 1903), the first woman to be awarded the Nobel ...

(1843–1914), née Kinsky, peace activist and writer, the first woman awarded the

Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor and armaments (military weapons and equipment) manufacturer Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Chemi ...

(1905) and probably the most known noblewoman of Bohemian origin Sophiechotek1868-2.jpg, Žofie Chotková (Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg) (1868–1914), wife of the heir to the Austrian throne

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Archduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria of Austria, (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914) was the heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary. His assassination in Sarajevo was the most immediate cause of World War I. F ...

, assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914 Sascha Kolowrat-Krakowsky (1886–1927).jpg, Alexander Kolowrat - Krakowský (1886–1927), car racer, aviator, owner of film studios and co-owner of the

Laurin & Klement Laurin & Klement was a Czech automobile, motorcycle and bicycle manufacturing company founded in 1895 in Mladá Boleslav, Kingdom of Bohemia by automotive pioneers Václav Laurin and Václav Klement. Car production commenced in 1905, and the com ...

car company Adolf Schwarzenberg.jpg,

Adolf Schwarzenberg Adolf (also spelt Adolph or Adolphe, Adolfo and when Latinised Adolphus) is a given name used in German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Flanders, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and to a lesser extent in vari ...

(1890–1950), businessman, anti-Nazi 187-b. Jindřich Vilém Albrecht Pavel hrabě Krakowský z Kolowrat.jpg, Jindřich Kolowrat-Krakowský (1897–1996), diplomat, politician, philanthropist, anti-Nazi Zdeněk Bořek Dohalský (1900-1945).jpg, Zdeněk Bořek Dohalský (1900–1945), journalist and anti-Nazi resistance fighter, executed by the Nazis in 1945 Jiří Stránský (2015).jpg, Jiří Stránský (1931–2019), writer, screenwriter, translator Karel Schwarzenberg 2019.jpg,

(born 1937), politician, businessman, philanthropist and fighter for human rights Kinsky Frantisek 16778v.jpg, František Kinský (born 1947), producer, moderator and regional politician Biskup František Václav Lobkowicz.jpg, František Václav Lobkowicz (1948–2022), Roman Catholic priest, bishop of Ostrava-Opava Tomáš Czernin in 2016.jpg, Tomáš Czernin (born 1962), businessman and politician, senator

History

List of important noble families

Gallery

Notes

Further reading