Cosmas
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Kosmas.jpg
Kosmas.jpg
Cosmas
Bohemian priest, writer and historian Born c. 1045 in a noble family in Bohemia. Between 1075 and 1081, he studied in Liège. After his return to Bohemia, he became a priest and married. Before pope Gregory's time, priest marriages were tolerated in the church (his wife's name was Bozetecha). In 1086 Cosmas was appointed prebendary (canonicus) of Prague, which was quite a prestigious position. As prebendary he also travelled through Europe in official matters. Cosmas died in October 1125.
His magnum opus written in latin is called Chronica Bohemorum [Chronicle of Bohemians/Czechs]. Chronica is divided into 3 books.
- First Book: We know that first book was completed in 1119. It starts with the creation of the world and ends in year 1038. It describes the foundation of Bohemian state by the oldest Bohemians around year 600 AD (duke Bohemus, duke Krok and his 3 daughters, Queen Libussa and foundation of Premyslid dynasty by her marriage with Premysl, old bloody wars, duke Borivoj and introduction of Christianity in Bohemia, Saint Wenceslas (in England better known as 'Good King Wenceslas') and his grandmother Saint Ludmila, reign of three Boleslavs (wife of Boleslav I was Aelfgifa, daughter of Aethelstan, king of Wessex), life of Saint Adalbert and bloody wars after year 1000.
- Second book describes Bohemian history of years 1038-1092. Book starts with heroical deeds of duke Bretislav, known as 'Bohemian Achilles', f. e. with his victory over Poland. Chronica also describes long and great reign of king Vratislav, who was a strong ruler but brave and good man. There is also a reflection on his wars in Italy; this second book ends with Vratislav's death.
- Third book (1092-1125), starts with a describtion of time of instability and bloody civic wars after Vratislav's death between years 1092 and 1109. Chronica ends with reign of Vladislav between 1109 and 1125. In same year 1125 Cosmas died.