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Vilém II of Pernštejn ( or ''Wilhelm II. von Bernstein'', or ''Vilém z Pernštejna a na Helfštejně''; 1438 – 8 April 1521) was a Czech nobleman. He held the office of High Treasurer of
Moravia Moravia ( ; ) is a historical region in the eastern Czech Republic, roughly encompassing its territory within the Danube River's drainage basin. It is one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The medieval and early ...
from 1474 to 1487. He was High Marshall of
Bohemia Bohemia ( ; ; ) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. In a narrow, geographic sense, it roughly encompasses the territories of present-day Czechia that fall within the Elbe River's drainage basin, but historic ...
from 1483 to 1490 and Lord Chamberlain of Bohemia from 1490 to 1514.


Youth

Vilém was one of the most important members of the Moravian and Bohemian noble family of Pernštejn. His parents were Jan II of Pernštejn and his second wife Bohunka of Lomnice. Vilém spent his early years at the Viennese court of the two years younger Ladislaus Posthumus, a member of the
Habsburg The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout Europe d ...
family, to whose entourage he belonged. Together with Ladislaus and his guardian Frederick III and other Bohemian and Moravian nobles, he traveled to Italy in 1451. In 1452 he was in Rome at the wedding of Frederick III with Eleanor of Portugal.


Rise under the kings George of Poděbrady and Matthias Corvinus

Like his father and his older brother
Zikmund Zikmund (feminine: Zikmundová) is a Czech given name and surname, a Czech variant of the name Sigismund. Pet forms of the name are Zika and Zíka. Notable people with the name include: Given name * Zikmund of Pernštejn ( – ), Moravian noble ...
, Vilém supported the Bohemian King
George of Poděbrady George of Kunštát and Poděbrady (23 April 1420 – 22 March 1471), also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad (; ), was the sixteenth King of Bohemia, who ruled in 1458–1471. He was a leader of the Hussites, but moderate and tolerant toward the ...
. After George's death in 1471, they stood politically on the side of the newly elected king Vladislav II In 1472, they vouched for by George of Poděbrady's son Victor of Münsterberg-Oels, who was to be bought free from being held captive by the Hungarian king
Matthias Corvinus Matthias Corvinus (; ; ; ; ; ) was King of Hungary and King of Croatia, Croatia from 1458 to 1490, as Matthias I. He is often given the epithet "the Just". After conducting several military campaigns, he was elected King of Bohemia in 1469 and ...
for . That same year they received from King Vladislav II more rights over the convents in Oslavany and
Tišnov Tišnov (; ) is a town in Brno-Country District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,200 inhabitants. Administrative division Tišnov consists of five municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 cens ...
. Vilém and his father were, however, unable to buy the freedom of his brother Sigmund, who was also held captive by Matthias Corvinus since 1470. Matthias Corvinus did not ask a ransom for Sigmund's release; instead he asked Vilém to defect to Matthias's side and support his military plans. Vilém signed an agreement to this effect, in order to obtain the Sigmund's release, on 14 November 1472 in
Sopron Sopron (; , ) is a city in Hungary on the Austrian border, near Lake Neusiedl/Lake Fertő. History Ancient times-13th century In the Iron Age a hilltop settlement with a burial ground existed in the neighbourhood of Sopron-Várhely. When ...
. The agreement had been drafted by John Filipec, who later became Bishop of Olomouc. He probably agreed to convert to Catholicism at the same timet. Around New Year 1473, Vilém's army occupied the towns of
Kolín Kolín (; ) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 33,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument reservations, urban monume ...
and
Nymburk Nymburk (; ) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 16,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the Elbe River. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Mo ...
. In the summer he fought for Corvinus in Austria and Poland, where he was taken prisoner. Vilém resided in Velké Meziříčí until 1473, and called himself Vilém of Pernštejn and Meziříčí. In 1474 he acquired the Castle and Lordship of Helfštýn. From 1474 until his death, he called himself Vilém of Pernštejn and Helfštejn. After the cease-fire of Breslau of 1474, Corvinus appointed Vilém High Treasurer of Moravia. Vilém's father died in 1475. His possessions were inherited by Vilém and his brothers Jan (d. 1478 or 1480), Vratislav I (d. 1496) and Jimram (d. 1481 or 1482). As his brothers were still minors, Vilém took up guardianship and overall management of the possessions. Eliška of Boskovice, the widow of his elder brother Sigmund, and her daughters, only inherited money. Vilém acquired extensive estates in Bohemia through his marriage with Johanka of Liblice; he sold these shortly after the wedding. His father's inheritance was divided in 1478, when his brothers Jan and Vratislav came of age. Jan and Vratislav jointly received
Pernštejn Castle Pernštejn Castle (, from , originally from ''Bärenstein'') is a castle in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It lies on a rock above the village of Nedvědice and the rivers Svratka (river), Svratka and Nedvědička, about northw ...
and some of the surrounding villages. Vilém kept Zubštejn Castle and the remaining villages in the Pernštejn area for himself and his youngest brother Emmeran, who was still a minor. The elder brothers also inherited the debt their father had left behind, for which Vilém had vouched. He had bought, and paid, on behalf of his father, the Lordship of Meziříčí from his father in law, Jan of Lomnice. When Jan died in 1478 (or 1480), Vratislav inherited his share of the inheritance. The youngest brother, Jimram, died in 1481 or 1482 and Vilém inherited his share. The Bohemian-Hungarian war ended in 1479 with the Treaty of Olomouc. In 1480, Vilém campaigned to have the entries in the Moravian Landtafel written in Czech rather than Latin. In 1482, Vilém's confidant Pertold of Lipá died. In is testament, he had named Vilém as the guardian of his two children. In this capacity, Vilém took up the regency of Lipá's extensive estates around
Moravský Krumlov Moravský Krumlov (; ) is a town in Znojmo District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,700 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone. Administrative divisi ...
. He moved his residence to Krumlov, which was also closer to the Hungarian royal court in
Budapest Budapest is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns of Hungary, most populous city of Hungary. It is the List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, tenth-largest city in the European Union by popul ...
. Although Vilém had already been married for several years, all his children would be born in Krumlov. Vilém soon arranged marriages for Lípa's children. According to an agreement made in 1484, Barbora Lípa was to marry Wolfgang of
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (, ; ; ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein ( ), is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked, doubly landlocked Swiss Standard German, German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east ...
, a son of Christopher of Liechtenstein. Vilém's daughter Bohunka, who was only born in 1485, was to marry Jindřich of Lipá, who was also under Vilém's guardianship. Already in 1483, Vilém had arranged a marriage between Eliška of Kravaře, Lípa's widow, and Peter IV of Rosenberg. As part of the guardianship, Vilém had become High Marshall of the Kingdom of Bohemia, an office held hereditarily by the Lords of Lipá. This brought him info contact with the royal court at Prague, with whom he had not had any contact since 1472. In 1487, he transferred, with permission of both Kings involved, the office of High Treasurer of Moravia to his younger brother Vratislav.


Royal assent at Prague under King Vladislaus II

After the death of Matthias Corvinus in 1490, King Vladislaus II appointed Vilém II of Pernštejn to his Lord Chamberlain. In the same year, Vladilav pledged him the lands of the Monastery of
Třebíč Třebíč (; ) is a town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 35,000 inhabitants. The beginnings of the town's history are connected with the establishment of a Benedictines, Benedictine monastery, where the castle is loca ...
, the Castle and Lordship of Hluboká nad Vltavou and in 1491,
Kunětická hora Castle Kunětická hora Castle () is a castle in the municipality of Ráby in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. The castle lies on Kunětická hora Hill, about 6 km from the city of Pardubice. The castle played an important role duri ...
in East Bohemia, and the surrounding villages, which had belonged to the Monastery at Opatovice, which had perished in 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 Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, the Papacy, a ...
. Vilém expanded the castle generously, however, he nerver resided there. Presumably in order to round his eastern Bohemian possessions he acquired the Lordship of
Pardubice Pardubice (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 92,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the Elbe River. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Repub ...
in 1491. He remodeled Pardubice Castle in the late Gothic style and moved in. During his reign, Pardubice experienced an economic boom, encouraged by trade, commerce, agriculture and mining. In 1516 he acquired the East Bohemian Lordship of
Nový Bydžov Nový Bydžov (; ) is a town in Hradec Králové District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 7,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Mon ...
, which he enlarged by the acquisition of other villages. In the East Bohemian villages in his domain, he created more than 200 ponds, where fish farming was practiced. This changed the area into one of Bohemia's most productive farming areas. Since he now held office mainly in Prague, Vienna and Pardubice, his family headquarters at
Pernštejn Castle Pernštejn Castle (, from , originally from ''Bärenstein'') is a castle in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It lies on a rock above the village of Nedvědice and the rivers Svratka (river), Svratka and Nedvědička, about northw ...
lost its importance. In 1491, he also acquired the Lordship of Bohdaneč and in 1495
Nové Město na Moravě Nové Město na Moravě (; ) is a town in Žďár nad Sázavou District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,800 inhabitants. It is known as a winter sports resort. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protecte ...
. In 1496, he handed the Lípa family possessions to his ward Jindřich of Lipá, who had come of age. In the same year, his younger brother Vartislav died without heirs. Vilém inherited Vartislav's share of Pernštejn, but also
Prostějov Prostějov (; ) is a city in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 43,000 inhabitants. The city is historically known for its fashion industry. The historic city centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zo ...
and castle and lordship of Plumlov, which Vartislav had received from his mother-in-law Johanna of Krawarn after his wife Ludmila of Kunštát had died in 1493. This again increased Vilém's East Bohemian possessions considerably. Around this time, he also acquired
Rychnov nad Kněžnou Rychnov nad Kněžnou (; ) is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument zones, urban m ...
and he purchased Častolovice and the lordship of Potštejn with
Litice Castle Litice Castle () is a castle in Záchlumí (Ústí nad Orlicí District), Záchlumí municipality in the Ústí nad Orlicí District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. The town Lititz, Pennsylvania, Lititz in Pennsylvania was named afte ...
and several villages from Duke Henry the Elder of Münsterberg. In Moravia, he acquired
Hranice na Moravě Hranice may refer to places in the Czech Republic: * Hranice (České Budějovice District), a municipality in the South Bohemian Region *Hranice (Cheb District), a town in the Karlovy Vary Region *Hranice (Přerov District), a town in the Olomou ...
in 1499,
Tovačov Tovačov () is a town in Přerov District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,500 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument zones, urban monume ...
and Kralice na Hané in 1503, Židlochovice in 1508 and
Kunštát Kunštát (; ) is a town in Blansko District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants. Administrative division Kunštát consists of six municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 cens ...
in 1520. He also acquired the East Bohemian dominions of
Lanškroun Lanškroun (; ) is a town in Ústí nad Orlicí District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,800 inhabitants. It lies on the border of the historical lands of Bohemia and Moravia. The historic town centre is well preserved ...
and Lanšperk Castle by marrying his two sons Jan IV and Vojtěch I to two daughters from the House of Kostka of Postupice. Vilém also carried out investments and improvements on the estates he inherited from his father. In
Lipník nad Bečvou Lipník nad Bečvou (; ) is a town in Přerov District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 8,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument reser ...
, he laid out suburbs and expanded the town's fortifications. He also built a waterworks, which functions to this day. In
Přerov Přerov (; ) is a city in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 41,000 inhabitants. It lies on the Bečva River. In the past it was a major crossroad in the heart of Moravia in the Czech Republic. The historic city centre is we ...
, he built the upper town on an elliptical outline around the castle. In 1498, he combined the upper and lower town. In 1515, Vilém donated a baptismal font to the Church of St. Bartholomew in Pardubice.Donation of baptismal font
/ref> Vilém died on 8 April 1521 in
Pardubice Pardubice (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 92,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the Elbe River. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Repub ...
, and was buried in the Church of the Holy Cross in Doubravník. This church had been destroyed 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 Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, the Papacy, a ...
, but had been rebuilt by Vilém's son Jan IV. His elder son Jan IV inherited his Bohemian estates, while his younger son Vojtěch I received his Moravian possessions. However, their lavish life style forced them to sell parts of their inherited lands.


Marriage and issue

Vilém II of Pernštejn married before 1475 with Johanka of Liblice. They had three children: # Bohunka (1485–1549), married ## in 1500 Jindřich of Lipá (died: 1515) ## Dobeš of Boskovice (d. 1540) #
Jan IV of Pernštejn Jan IV of Pernštejn (also known as ''Jan of Pernstein, John of Pernstein, Jan the Rich'' or ''John the Rich'' in English, ''Jan z Pernštejna a na Helfštejně'' or ''Jan Bohatý'' in Czech, and ''Johann von Pernstein'' or ''Hans von Pernstein ...
(1487–1548), married ## in 1507 Anna of Kostka of Postupice ## Hedvika of Šelmberk (d. 1535) ## Magdalena Székely of Ormozd (d. 1556), widow of the Hungarian magnate Alexei Thurzó of Bethlenfalva # Vojtěch I of Pernstein (1490–1534), married ## in 1507 Markéta Kostka of Postupice (d. 1515), the sister of Jan IV's first wife ## in 1516 Johanka of Wartenberg (d. 1536)


References and sources

* Petr Vorel, Páni z Pernštejna. Vzestup a pád rodu zubří hlavy v dějinách Čech a Moravy. Praha, Rybka, 1999, 318, pages, . * Joachim Bahlcke et al.: ''Handbuch der historischen Stätten: Böhmen und Mähren'', Kröner-Verlag, Stuttgart 1998, , pp. 92, 145, 305, 323, 363, 395, 436, 441, 468, 492 and 621.


Footnotes


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Vilem 02 of Pernstejn 15th-century nobility from Bohemia Moravian nobility 1438 births 1521 deaths