Havel of Markvartice, also Havel of Lemberk ( cs, Havel z Lemberka) or Gallus of Lämberg; '' fl.'' 1230–1255) was a

Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...

n nobleman, Lord of Lemberk Castle and

burgrave Burgrave, also rendered as burggrave (from german: Burggraf, la, burgravius, burggravius, burcgravius, burgicomes, also praefectus), was since the medieval period in Europe (mainly Germany) the official title for the ruler of a castle, especial ...

of Kladsko.

Family

The Markvartici — also called Marquards — were a prominent Bohemian family flourishing under the rule of the

Přemyslid dynasty The Přemyslid dynasty or House of Přemyslid ( cs, Přemyslovci, german: Premysliden, pl, Przemyślidzi) was a Bohemian royal dynasty that reigned in the Duchy of Bohemia and later Kingdom of Bohemia and Margraviate of Moravia (9th century–130 ...

in the

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 ...

from the 12th to the early 14th century. They included several cadet branches, among them the Lords of Lemberk (Lämberg), Michalovici, Waldstein (Valdštejn),

Velešín Velešín (; german: Weleschin) is a town in Český Krumlov District the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,900 inhabitants. Administrative parts Villages of Bor, Chodeč, Holkov and Skřidla are administrative parts of ...

, and Wartenberg. Havel's father Markvart appeared as a burgrave at

Děčín Děčín (; german: Tetschen, 1942–1945: ''Tetschen–Bodenbach'') is a city in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 47,000 inhabitants. It is the 7th largest municipality in the country by area. Administrative parts D ...

in 1220, his brother Jaroslav is likewise mentioned as a burgrave 1239, serving King Wenceslaus I at nearby

Königstein Fortress Königstein Fortress (german: Festung Königstein), the "Saxony, Saxon Bastille", is a hilltop fortress near Dresden, in Saxon Switzerland, Germany, above the town of Königstein, Saxony, Königstein on the left bank of the River Elbe. It is one ...

Life

Havel married Zdislava of Křižanov (–1252), probably at

Brno Brno ( , ; german: Brünn ) is a city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. Located at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, Brno has about 380,000 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in the Czech Republic ...

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 ...

, when she was 17 years old. The marriage produced at least three sons, Havel II, Jaroslav and Zdislav, as well as a daughter Margaret. Zdislava was canonized a saint in 1995. Both Havel and Jaroslav initially were enfeoffed with the Lordship of

Jablonné v Podještědí Jablonné v Podještědí (until 1946 Německé Jablonné; german: Deutsch Gabel, until 1901 ''Gabel'') is a town in Liberec District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,700 inhabitants. The town centre is well preserved and ...

(''Gabel''). Facing the threat of the

Mongol invasion of Europe From the 1220s into the 1240s, the Mongols conquered the Turkic states of Volga Bulgaria, Cumania, Alania, and the Kievan Rus' federation. Following this, they began their invasion into heartland Europe by launching a two-pronged invasion of ...

in 1241, they had Lemberk (''Lewenberch'') Castle erected in the

Lusatian Mountains The Lusatian Mountains ( cs, Lužické hory; german: Lausitzer Gebirge; pl, Góry Łużyckie) are a mountain range of the Western Sudetes on the southeastern border of Germany with the Czech Republic. They are a continuation of the Ore Mountains ...

nearby, which became vital during the Mongol retreat after the

Battle of Legnica The Battle of Legnica ( pl, bitwa pod Legnicą), also known as the Battle of Liegnitz (german: Schlacht von Liegnitz) or Battle of Wahlstatt (german: Schlacht bei Wahlstatt), was a battle between the Mongol Empire and combined European forces t ...

. Later on, Havel, now mentioned as ''Gallus de Lewenberch'', became a close confidant of King Wenceslaus during the struggles with his young son Ottokar II in 1247. He founded the town of Jablonné in 1249 and, together with his wife Zdislava, a local Dominican monastery at the site as well as a hospitium at

Český Dub Český Dub (german: Böhmisch Aicha) is a town in Liberec District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,800 inhabitants. The town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monu ...

. After King Wenceslaus granted Kladsko Land as a fief to Havel in turn for his merits, he served as a burgrave at Kladsko (''Glatz'') Castle from 1252 and founded the town of

Bystrzyca Kłodzka Bystrzyca Kłodzka ( cs, Kladská Bystřice, german: Habelschwerdt) is a historic town in Kłodzko County, in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in southwestern Poland. It is the administrative seat of Gmina Bystrzyca Kłodzka. As of December 2021, the ...

(''Habelschwerdt''). His son Havel II succeeded him in Kladsko and temporarily served as a

cup-bearer A cup-bearer was historically an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty was to pour and serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues (such as poisoning), a person must have been regarded as ...

at the court of King Ottokar II. Along with his brother Jaroslav, he was also instrumental in founding the town of

Turnov Turnov (; german: Turnau) is a town in Semily District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 14,000 inhabitants. It is a traditional centre for gemstone polishing, glass craftsmanship and arts. The town centre is well preserv ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Markvartice, Havel Medieval Bohemian nobility City founders Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown Jablonné v Podještědí 13th-century Bohemian people