View From The Glen

Friday, December 11, 2009

History Mystery: Christmas Legend

The Duke of Bohemia, (907-935) known by his subjects as a just and rightous ruler, was also docmented as being noble in deed. According to 12th century chronicler, Cosmos of Prague, he "gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered, not a prince, but the father of all the wretched."


Murdered by his brother, he was martyred, post-humously given regal title by Pope Otto I, and later canonized as a Saint. The patron saint of the Czech people, he is also the subject of the most famous statue in the Czech republic which sits in the square also named after him in the city of Prague.

He has inspired many legends, (such as the one which claims that when the motherland is in danger, his equestrian statue will come to life, raise a sleeping army and destroy the enemy with a legendary sword) and a well-known Christmas carol.

Who is he??

Answer: Good King Wenceslas

4 comments:

Julie said...

Ho, Ho, Ho !!!
Please say that this means the Christmas music has been broken out.
"Good King Wenceslas" is to whom you refer. Sorry as tempted as I was I know the answer is not St. Nick, wrong country of origin to begin with.

Denise Nielsen said...

The Christmas music is indeed out now, including our favourite version of Good King Wenceslas (by the Barra Macneils of Cape Breton).

Leanne Haines said...

Julie got it before I even read it. No fair! I could have won another one!

Laura said...

I'm going to try and fit that story into our Christmas dinner conversation. :) Thank you and Merry Christmas!