List of heads of the Czech state

Below is list of historically documented heads of the Czech statehood in its various iterations, including rulers of Great Moravia in the period since 830 AD.

The first Czech monarchs

Pre-Czech period

No. Image Name Date Notes
0
Samo c. 600–c. 658 First written record in Chronicle of Fredegar (7th century). A Frankish merchant who unified several Slavic tribes against Avar raiders.

Legendary rulers of Bohemia (c. 644 - 870)

Legendary rulers
No. Image Name Date Notes
A
Pater Boemus on Říp Mountain
Pater Boemus on Říp Mountain
praotec Čech (Pater Boemus) c. 644 - 661 according to 14th century Wenceslaus Hajek chronicle (disputed) Legendary founding father of the Czech statehood (in the area of Říp). In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century) and in Wielkopolska Chronicle (early 14th century, Poland).
? Pause in written record.
B
Duke Krok with his daughters Kazi, Teta & Libuše
Duke Krok with his daughters Kazi, Teta & Libuše
Krok c. †709 Moved seat of power to Vyšehrad. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
C
Libuše c. 709+ Krok's daughter, legendary ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty, founder of the city of Prague. In written record first mentioned in Christian's Legend [cs] (10th century).
D
Přemysl the Ploughman c. 710s+ Husband of princess Libuše of non-royal origin, legendary ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty. In written record first mentioned in Christian's Legend [cs] (10th century).
E
Nezamysl (Simplicius) Probably son of Libuše and Přemysl. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
F
Mnata (The Wise) In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
G
Vojen (The Fighting) In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
H
Vnislav In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
I
Křesomysl (The Inciter) In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
J
Neklan In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
K
Hostivít (The Welcomer) c †870 Neklan's son, purported father of duke Bořivoj I. In written record first mentioned in Chronica Boemorum (12th century).
L Lech †805 First written record in 805 Annales Regni Francorum as being killed in battle by Charlemagne.

Principality of Great Moravia (830-906)

No. Image Name Date Notes
1
Mojmír I c.830–846 First written record in Royal Frankish Annals (822).
2
Rastislav 846–870 Nephew of Mojmír I. First Christian ruler. Invited Cyril and Methodius. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
3 Slavomír 871 (interim) Led a revolt against the Franks who had annexed Moravia during the incarceration of his relative, Svatopluk I. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
4A
Svatopluk I 871–894 Dethroned Rastislav in 870. First written record in Annales Fuldenses (9th century).
5
Mojmír II 894–906? Under his rule Bohemia seceded from Great Moravia in 895.
Great Moravia began to disintegrate after his death. For later connection between Bohemia and Moravia see Moravia#Union with Bohemia.


Dukes and Kings of Bohemia under Přemyslid dynasty (c. 870–1306)

Feuds of Bohemia and Moravia under Premyslid rule

       Part of Great Moravia
(until 907)
      
Duchy of
Bohemia

(870-1198)
Raised to:
Kingdom of
Bohemia

(1198-1306)
Part of Poland
(999-1019)
       Duchy of Moravia
(1019-1055)
Duchy of
Brno

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
Duchy of
Znojmo

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
Duchy of
Olomouc

(1st creation)
(1055-1056)
      
              Duchy of
Olomouc

(1061-1178)
Duchy of
Brno

(2nd creation)
(1061-1182)
Duchy of
Znojmo

(2nd creation)
(1092-1112)
      
       Duchy of
Znojmo

(3rd creation)
(1123-1182)
             
Duchy of Moravia
(Znojmo line)
(1182-1191)
      
       Duchy of Moravia
(1197-1222)
      

Table of rulers

Ruler Born Reign Death Ruling part Consort Notes
Bořivoj I 852
Son of Hostivít (?)[1]
870-883

885-889
889
aged 35/6
Bohemia Ludmila of Bohemia
873[2]
six children
First documented ruler of the dynasty.
Strojmír ? c.883-885 ? Bohemia ? Apparently a usurper.
Bohemia annexed to Great Moravia (889-894)
Spytihněv I 882
First son of Bořivoj I and Ludmila of Bohemia
894-915 915
aged 32/3
Bohemia
(with Moravia since 907)
Unmarried His reign restored Bohemian sovereignty.
Vratislaus I
(Vratislav)
888
Second son of Bořivoj I and Ludmila of Bohemia
915 - 13 February 921 13 February 921
aged 32/3
Bohemia Drahomíra
three children
Regencies of Ludmila of Bohemia (921) and Drahomíra (921-925) Known as St. Wenceslaus ("Good King Wenceslas" for English-speaking people), the patron saint of the Czech lands.
Wenceslaus I the Good
(Václav Dobrý)
907[3][4][a]
Stochov[7]
First son of Vratislaus I and Drahomíra
13 February 921- 28 September 929/35 28 September 929/35
Stará Boleslav
aged 21/2 or 27/8
Bohemia Unmarried
Boleslaus I the Cruel
(Boleslav I. Ukrutný)
915
Prague (?)
Second son of Vratislaus I and Drahomíra
28 September 929/35 - July 972 July 972
aged 56/7
Bohemia Biagota
four children
Assassinated his brother to ascend to the ducal throne.
Boleslaus II the Pious
(Boleslav II. Pobožný)
940
Prague (?)
Son of Boleslaus I and Biagota
July 972 - 7 February 999 7 February 999
aged 58/9
Bohemia Adiva (of England?)
four children

Emma of Mělník
(Emma of Italy (?))
989
no children
Moravia is again lost, this time, to Poland, in 999.
Boleslaus III the Red
(Boleslav III. Ryšavý)
965
First son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
7 February 999 - May 1002

February - March 1003
1037
aged 56/7
Bohemia Unknown In 1002-04, Bohemia was invaded twice by Poland.
Bohemia was annexed to Poland (1002-04):
Jaromír c.970
Second son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
1004 - 12 April 1012

9 November 1034 - 1035
4 November 1038
Lysá nad Labem
aged 60/70
Bohemia Unknown In 1004, Jaromir occupied Prague with a German army and proclaimed himself Bohemian duke, restoring the family's domain, albeit reduced. As brothers of Boleslaus III, Jaromir and Ulrich had a fight for the throne that lasted until 1034, when Ulrich died and Jaromir retired (and then murdered). Nevertheless, more land was at stake, as Moravia was reintegrated into Bohemia in 1019, after being reconquered from Poland, and given to Ulrich's son.
Ulrich I
(Oldřich)
c.975
Third son of Boleslaus II and Adiva
12 April 1012 - 9 November 1034 9 November 1034 or 1042
aged 59/60 or 66/7
Bohemia Božena
c.1002
one child
1033 - 9 November 1034 Moravia
Bretislaus I the Bohemian Achilles
(Břetislav I. český Achilles)
1002/5
Son of Ulrich I and Božena
1019/29 – 1033

9 November 1034 – 10 January 1055
10 January 1055
aged 50/3
Moravia Judith of Schweinfurt
1020
four children
First separation of Moravia from Bohemia. His father usurped his place for a year. After his own death, his sons shared the inheritance.
1035 - 10 January 1055 Bohemia
Spytihněv II 1031
First son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
10 January 1055 - 28 January 1061 28 January 1061
aged 29/30
Bohemia
(also in Moravia from 1056)
Ida of Wettin
1054
one child
Children of Bretislav I, divided their inheritance:
  • Spytihnev kept Bohemia; the others divided Moravia:
    • Conrad received Brno;
    • Vratislav got Olomouc;
    • Otto inherited Znojmo.

The division was made ineffective by Spytihnev (1055), who extended his rule to Moravia, uniting the whole Premyslid domain under his control. However, after his death (1061), the landless brothers recovered the inheritance and divided it differently, as Vratislav inherited Bohemia:

  • Conrad recovered Brno but also received Otto's share in Znojmo;
  • Otto received Vratislav's part in Olomouc.
Vratislaus II
(Vratislav II)
c.1035
Second son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
10 January 1055 – 1056 14 January 1092 Olomouc Maria
before 1057
no children

Adelaide of Hungary (I)
1057
four children

Świętosława of Poland
1062
five children
28 January 1061 - June 1085
(as Duke)

June 1085 - 14 January 1092
(as King)
Bohemia
Conrad I
(Konrád I)
c.1035
Third son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
10 January 1055 – 1056

28 January 1061 - 6 September 1092
6 September 1092 Brno
(with Znojmo since 1061)
Wirpirk of Tengling
1054
two children
14 January 1092 - 6 September 1092 Bohemia
Otto I the Fair
(Ota Sličný)
1045
Fouth son of Bretislaus I and Judith of Schweinfurt
10 January 1055 – 1056 9 June 1087
aged 41/2
Znojmo Euphemia of Hungary
before 1073
two children
28 January 1061 - 9 June 1087 Olomouc
Boleslaus
(Boleslav)
1062
First son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
9 June 1087 – 11 August 1091 11 August 1091
aged 28/9
Olomouc Unmarried
Bretislaus II
(Břetislav II)
c.1060
Son of Vratislaus II and Adelaide of Hungary (I)
6 September 1092 - 22 December 1100 22 December 1100
aged 39/40
Bohemia Lukarta of Bogen
1094
one child
Ulrich (II)
(Oldřich)
c.1070/80?
First son of Conrad I and Wirpirk of Tengling
6 September 1092 – 5 January 1113 5 January 1113
aged c.33/43?
Brno
(with Znojmo since 1112)
Adelaide
two children
Children of Conrad I, divided the inheritance:
  • Luitpold received Znojmo;
  • Ulrich inherited Brno.

Despite having heirs, Luitpold's land came to Ulrich's possession after his death. Conrad II, Luitpold's heir, would come to power in 1123.

Luitpold (I)
(Litold znojemský)
c.1070/80?
Second son of Conrad I and Wirpirk of Tengling
6 September 1092 – 15 March 1112 15 March 1112
aged c.32/42?
Znojmo Ida of Austria
one child
Bořivoj II c.1064
Prague
First son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
25 December 1100 - May 1107

December 1117 - 16 August 1120
2 February 1124
aged 39/40
Bohemia Helbirga of Austria
October 1100
Znojmo
no children
Ruled twice. Retired in 1120.
Svatopluk (I) the Lion
(Svatopluk Olomoucký)
1075
Second son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
11 August 1091 – 21 September 1109 21 September 1109
aged 33/4
Olomouc Unknown
one child
May 1107 – 21 September 1109 Bohemia
Vladislaus I
(Vladislav I)
c.1065
Second son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
21 September 1109 - December 1117

16 August 1120 - 12 April 1125
12 April 1125
Prague
aged 59/60
Bohemia Richeza of Berg
1110/11
four children
Ruled twice.
Sobeslaus I c.1075
Third son of Vratislaus II and Świętosława of Poland
5 January 1113 – 1123 14 February 1140
aged 64/5
Brno
(with Znojmo)
Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1123
five children
Ruled Brno and Znojmo,[8] which split after his resign:
  • Znojmo returned to its heir, Conrad II;
  • Brno was absorbed by Olomouc, the other Moravian feud.
12 April 1125 – 14 February 1140 Bohemia
Otto II the Black
(Ota II. Černý)
1085
Third son of Otto I and Euphemia of Hungary
21 September 1109 – 18 February 1126 18 February 1126
aged 40/1
Olomouc
(with Brno)
Sophia of Berg
1113
three children
Ruled in Olomouc, since 1091 with his brother Svatopluk. Acquired Brno in 1123.
Conrad II
(Konrád II)
c.1100/10?
Son of Luitpold I and Ida of Austria
1123 – 1161 1161
aged c.50/51 or c.60/61?
Znojmo Maria of Serbia
1132
four children
Received his heritage in 1123.[9]
Wenceslaus Henry
(Václav Jindřich)
1107
Son of Svatopluk (I)
18 February 1126 – 1 March 1130 1 March 1130
aged 22/3
Olomouc Unmarried Heirs of previous rulers of their portions, after Otto II's death inherited their respective inheritances.
Vratislaus (II)
(Vratislav)
c.1100/11
Brno
Son of Ulrich (II) and Adelaide
18 February 1126 – 6 August 1156 6 August 1156
Brno
aged 45/6
Brno A Russian princess
1132
three children
Luitpold (II)
(Lupolt Olomoucký)
1102
Son of Bořivoj II and Helbirga of Austria
1 March 1130 – 1137 1143
aged 40/1
Olomouc Unmarried Appointed and deposed by Sobeslaus, then the senior duke in Bohemia, who replaced him in Olomouc with his own son.
Vladislaus
(Vladislav)
?
First son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1137 – 1140 1165 Olomouc Daughter of Albert the Bear
no children
Probably resigned, waiting for succeed in Bohemia; however it was another Vladislaus who ended up ascending the seniority position in Bohemia.
Vladislaus II
(Vladislav II)
c.1110
Son of Vladislaus I and Richeza of Berg
14 February 1140 - 11 January 1158
(as Duke)

11 January 1158 - 1172
(as King)
18 January 1174
Meerane
aged 63/4
Bohemia Gertrude of Austria
1140
six children

Judith of Thuringia
1155
three children
Resigned in 1172.
Otto III
(Ota III)
1122
Son of Otto II and Sophia of Berg
1140 – 12 May 1160[10] 12 May 1160
aged 37/8
Olomouc Durancia
five children
Spytihněv (II) ?
Son of Vratislaus (II)
6 August 1156 – 1182 1199 Brno Umarried In 1182, abdicated for Conrad Otto of Znojmo
Brno annexed to Znojmo
Frederick
(Bedřich)
1142
Son of Vladislaus II and Gertrude of Austria
12 May 1160 – 1173 25 March 1189 Olomouc Elizabeth of Hungary
1157
six children
1172 – 1173

1178 – 25 March 1189
Bohemia
Ulrich (III) 1134
Second son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1173 – 18 October 1177 18 October 1177
aged 42/3
Olomouc Cecilia of Thuringia
no children

Sophia of Meissen
no children
Sobeslaus II the Prince of the Peasants
(Soběslav II. kníže sedláků)
1128
Third son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
1173 – 1178 29 January 1180
aged 51/2
Bohemia Elisabeth of Greater Poland
no children
Wenceslaus II 1137
Fourth son of Sobeslaus I and Adelaide of Hungary (II)
18 October 1177 – 1178 after 1192 Olomouc Unmarried Abdicated for Conrad III.
9 September 1191 - 1192 Bohemia
Olomouc annexed to Znojmo
Conrad III Otto
(Konrád III. Ota)
c.1136
Son of Conrad II and Maria of Serbia
1161 – 1182 9 September 1191
aged 54/5
Znojmo Hellicha of Wittelsbach
before 1176
no children
Son of Conrad II. United Znojmo and Olomouc. Brno joined in 1182, when he also became the first Margrave of Moravia.
1182 – 9 September 1191 Moravia
1189 – 9 September 1191 Bohemia
Bretislaus III Henry
(Břetislav III. Jindřich)
1137
Son of Henry and Margaret (?)
1193 - 15/19 June 1197 15/19 June 1197 Bohemia Unmarried Son of Henry, brother of King Vladislaus II. Also Bishop of Prague (1182-97).
Vladislaus III Henry
(Vladislav III. Jindřich)
1137
Second son of Vladislaus II and Judith of Thuringia
22 June - 6 December 1197 12 August 1222
Bohemia Heilwida
no children
Left no descendants. After his death, Moravia became an appanage of Bohemian princes.
December 1197 – 12 August 1222 Moravia
Premislaus Ottokar I
(Přemysl Otakar I)
1155
First son of Vladislaus II and Judith of Thuringia
1192 - 1193

6 December 1197 - 1198
(as Duke)

1198 - 15 December 1230
(as King)
15 December 1230
Prague
aged 74/5
Bohemia Adelaide of Meissen
1178
(annulled 1199)
one child

Constance of Hungary
1199
nine children
First king of hereditary royal title, confirmed by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor in 1212 by issuing the Golden Bull of Sicily.
Wenceslaus I the One-Eyed
(Václav I. Jednooký)
1205
Son of Premislaus Ottokar I and Constance of Hungary]
15 December 1230 - 23 September 1253 23 December 1253
Králův Dvůr
aged 47/8
Bohemia Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
1224
five children
Premislaus Ottokar II The Iron and Golden King
(Přemysl Otakar II. král železný a zlatý)
1233
Městec Králové
Son of Wenceslaus I and Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
23 December 1253 - 26 August 1278 26 August 1278
Dürnkrut
aged 44/5
Bohemia Margaret of Austria
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children

Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
25 October 1261
Pressburg
three children
Also Duke of Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Friuli and margrave of Carniola.
Regencies of Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych (1278-1285) and Otto V, Margrave of Brandenburg (1278-1283) Also Duke of Cracow (from 1291) and King of Poland (1300–1305).
Wenceslaus II
(Václav II)
27 September 1271
PragueSon of Premislaus Ottokar II and Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
26 August 1278 - 21 June 1305 21 June 1305
Prague
aged 33
Bohemia Judith of Austria
January 1285
Cheb
ten children

Elizabeth Richeza of Poland
26 May 1303
Prague
one child
Wenceslaus III
(Václav III)
6 October 1289
Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
21 June 1305 - 4 August 1306 4 August 1306
Olomouc
aged 16
Bohemia Viola of Cieszyn
5 October 1305
Brno
no children
Uncrowned (as Bohemian king). Also King of Hungary (1301–1305) and King of Poland.
Anna
(Anna Přemyslovna)
10 October 1290
Daughter of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
4 August 1306 - 1306
3/4 July 1307 - 3 December 1310
3 Septembre 1313
Olomouc
aged 16
Bohemia Henry
1306
no children
Heiresses of Bohemia, they were the true inheritors of the power claimed by their husbands during the succession crisis. Of the three, Rudolf had the weakest claim, and also the lowest popularity. The conflict was settled when, in 1310, Elizabeth and John invaded Prague, and defeated their opponents, Anna and Henry.
Henry of Carinthia[Note 1]
(Jindřich Korutanský)
1265
Son of Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia and Elisabeth of Bavaria
2 April 1335
Tirol
aged 69/70
Anna
1306
no children

Adelaide of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1313
two children

Beatrice of Savoy
1327
no children
Elisabeth Richeza of Poland
(Eliška-Rejčka)
1 September 1288
Poznań
Daughter of Przemysł II of Poland and Richeza of Sweden
1306 - 3/4 July 1307 19 October 1335
Brno
aged 47
Bohemia Wenceslaus II
26 May 1303
Prague
one child

Rudolf
16 October 1306
Prague
no children
Rudolf of Habsburg the Good
(Rudolf Habsburský, Rudolf Dobrý)
c. 1281
Vienna
Eldest son of Albert I of Germany and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
Blanche of France
25 May 1300
one child

Elisabeth Richeza
16 October 1306
Prague
no children
3/4 July 1307
Horažďovice
aged 26
Elisabeth
(Eliška Přemyslovna)
20 January 1292
Prague
Daughter of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Austria
3 December 1310 - 28 September 1330 28 September 1330
Prague
aged 38
Bohemia John
1 September 1310
Prague
seven children
John of Luxembourg the Blind
(Jan Lucemburský, Jan Slepý)
10 August 1296
Luxembourg
Son of Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor and Margaret of Brabant
3 December 1310 - 26 August 1346 26 August 1346
Crécy-en-Ponthieu
aged 50
Elisabeth
1 September 1310
Prague
seven children

Beatrice of Bourbon
December 1334
Vincennes
one child

The Late Kingdom of Bohemia: from the House of Luxembourg to Austria-Hungary (1310–1918)

Kings of Bohemia
House of Luxembourg
39
John the Blind
(Jan Lucemburský)
1310–1346 Son-in-law of Wenceslaus II.
40
Charles I
(Karel I.)
1346–1378 Son of John. Also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles IV.
41
Wenceslaus IV
(Václav IV.)
1378–1419 Son of Charles I. Also King of the Romans until 1400.
42 Sigismund
(Zikmund)
1419–1437 Brother of Wenceslaus IV. Ruled effective 1436–1437 only (because of the Hussite Revolution). Also Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary.
House of Habsburg
43
Albert
(Albrecht Habsburský)
1437–1439 Son-in-law of Sigismund. Also King of the Romans and of Hungary.
Interregnum 1440–1453 The succession of Albert's son was not recognized by the Czech nobility for most of this era; the land was administered by the Landfrieden (provincial and territorial).
44 Ladislaus the Posthumous
(Ladislav Pohrobek)
1453–1457 Son of Albert born after his father's death. Also King of Hungary.
Non-Dynastic
45 George of Podebrady
(Jiří z Poděbrad)
1457–1471 Elected king from the Czech noble family House of Kunštát. Although he had descendants, the succession devolved to the prince from Polish kingdom.
46 Matthias Corvinus
(Matyáš Korvín)
1469–1490 King of Hungary, elected by the insurgent Catholic Czech aristocrats as anti-king in 1469, but never crowned. In 1479, he agreed to limit his rule to Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia, while retaining his title.
House of Jagiellon
47
Vladislaus II the Jagiellonian
(Vladislav II. Jagellonský)
1471–1516 Nephew of Ladislaus the Posthumous; elected on request of his predecessor George. Also King of Hungary after 1490.
48 Louis the Jagiellonian
(Ludvík Jagellonský)
1516–1526 Son of Vladislaus II. Also King of Hungary.
House of Habsburg
49 Ferdinand I 1526–1564 Brother-in-law of Louis; elected king. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor-elect from 1558.
50 Maximilian I
(Maxmilián I.)
1564–1576 Son of Ferdinand I, grandson of Vladislaus II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
51 Rudolph II
(Rudolf II.)
1576–1611 Son of Maximilian I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
52 Mathias
(Matyáš)
1611–1619 Brother of Rudolph II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
House of Wittelsbach
53 Frederick I
(Fridrich I.)
1619–1620 Elected by the Crown's Estates at the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, but after losing the Battle of White Mountain, he fled the country.
Usurpers and hereditary kings
House of Habsburg
54 Ferdinand II 1619–1637 Cousin of Matthias. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
55 Ferdinand III 1637–1657 Son of Ferdinand II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor. From this time on, Bohemia no longer had an elective monarchy, with the Habsburgs having imposed their exclusive rule at the Battle of the White Mountain.
56
Ferdinand IV 1646–1654 Son of Ferdinand III. Junior co-monarch during his father's reign. Also King of Hungary and King of the Romans.
57 Leopold I 1657–1705 Brother of Ferdinand IV. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
58 Joseph I
(Josef I.)
1705–1711 Son of Leopold I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
59 Charles II
(Karel II.)
1711–1740 Brother of Joseph I. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor as Charles VI.
60 Maria Theresa
(Marie Terezie)
1740–1780 Daughter of Charles II. Also Queen of Hungary.
House of Wittelsbach
61 Charles Albert
(Karel Albrecht)
1741–1743 Son-in-law of Joseph I. Anti-king to Maria Theresa during the War of the Austrian Succession. Also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles VII.
House of Habsburg-Lorraine
62 Joseph II
(Josef II.)
1780–1790 Son of Maria Theresa. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
63 Leopold II 1790–1792 Brother of Joseph II. Also King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor.
64 Francis I
(František I.)
1792–1835 Son of Leopold II. Also King of Hungary, Holy Roman Emperor to 1806, Emperor of Austria from 1804.
65 Ferdinand V 1835–1848 Son of Francis I. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Last crowned King of Bohemia. Forced to abdicate during the Revolution of 1848.
66 Francis Joseph I
(František Josef I.)
1848–1916 Nephew of Ferdinand V. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
67 Charles III
(Karel III.)
1916–1918 Grandnephew of Francis Joseph I. Also Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Ruled briefly during World War I; in November 1918 renounced participation in state affairs but did not abdicate.

Presidents of Czechoslovakia (1918–1992)

No. Portrait Name Lifespan Ethnicity Elected Took office Left office Political affiliation(s)
(1918–1938)
68 Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 1850–1937 Czech 1918
1920
1927
1934
14 November 1918 14 December 1935 Independent
Milan Hodža 1878–1944 Slovak Acting 14 December 1935 18 December 1935 RSZML
69 Edvard Beneš 1884–1948 Czech 1935 18 December 1935 5 October 1938 ČSNS
Jan Syrový 1888–1970 Czech Acting 5 October 1938 30 November 1938 Independent
(1938–1939)
70 Emil Hácha 1872–1945 Czech 1938 30 November 1938 15 March 1939 Independent
(1939–1945)
Emil Hácha became State President of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, a de jure autonomous region incorporated into Nazi Germany.[11][12]
Jozef Tiso became President of the pseudo-independent, pro-Nazi and clero-fascist Slovak Republic.
Avgustyn Voloshyn became President of the Carpatho-Ukraine few days before occupation by the Kingdom of Hungary.
(1940–1945)
Edvard Beneš 1884–1948 Czech 1940 21 July 1940 4 April 1945 ČSNS
(1945–1948)
69 Edvard Beneš 1884–1948 Czech 1946 4 April 1945 7 June 1948 ČSNS
(1948–1989)
Official names: Czechoslovak Republic (1948–1960), Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1960–1989)
71 Klement Gottwald 1896–1953 Czech 1948 7 June 1948
acting to 14 June 1948
14 March 1953
(died in office)
KSČ
72 Antonín Zápotocký 1884–1957 Czech 1953 14 March 1953
acting to 21 March 1953
13 November 1957
(died in office)
KSČ
Viliam Široký 1902–1971 Hungarian Acting 13 November 1957 19 November 1957 KSČ
73 Antonín Novotný 1904–1975 Czech 1957
1964
19 November 1957 22 March 1968 KSČ
Jozef Lenárt 1923–2004 Slovak Acting 22 March 1968 30 March 1968 KSČ
74 Ludvík Svoboda 1895–1979 Czech 1968
1973
30 March 1968 28 May 1975 KSČ
75 Gustáv Husák 1913–1991 Slovak 1975
1980
1985
29 May 1975 10 December 1989 KSČ
Marián Čalfa 1946- Slovak Acting 10 December 1989 29 December 1989 KSČ
(1989–1992)
Official names: Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1989–1990), Czech and Slovak Federative Republic (1990–1992)
76 Václav Havel 1936–2011 Czech 1989
1990
1992
(failed)
29 December 1989 20 July 1992 OF
Jan Stráský 1940–2019 Czech Acting 20 July 1992 31 December 1992
(dissolution of the country)
ODS

Presidents of the Czech Republic (1993–present)

Parties

  Independent   ODS   ČSSD   SPO

President
(Birth–Death)
Took office Left office Party Term Previous office(s)
Václav Klaus
(born 1941)
1 January 1993 2 February 1993 Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
Acting jointly Minister of Finance of Czechoslovakia (1989–1992),[13] Incumbent Prime Minister (1992–1998) acting pending the presidential election
Milan Uhde
(born 1936)
Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
Incumbent Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament (1993–1996) acting pending the presidential election
76 Václav Havel
(1936–2011)
2 February 1993 2 February 2003 Independent 1 (1993) President of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic (1989–1992)
2 (1998)
Vladimír Špidla
(born 1951)
3 February 2003 7 March 2003 ČSSD Acting jointly Incumbent Prime Minister (2002–2004) acting during vacancy
Lubomír Zaorálek
(born 1956)
ČSSD Incumbent Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament (2002–2006) acting during vacancy
77 Václav Klaus
(born 1941)
7 March 2003 7 March 2013 Civic Democratic Party
(ODS)
3 (2003) Minister of Finance of Czechoslovakia (1989–1992),[14] Prime Minister (1992–1998), Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament (1998–2002)[15]
4 (2008)
78 Miloš Zeman
(born 1944)
8 March 2013 8 March 2023 Party of Civic Rights
(SPO)
5 (2013) Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament (1996–1998),[16] Prime Minister (1998–2002)
6 (2018)
79 Petr Pavel
(born 1961)
9 March 2023 Incumbent Independent 7 (2023) Chief of the General Staff
(2012–2015)
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
(2015–2018)

Timeline

Petr PavelMiloš ZemanVáclav KlausVáclav HavelGustáv HusákLudvík SvobodaAntonín NovotnýAntonín ZápotockýKlement GottwaldEmil HáchaEdvard BenešTomáš Garrigue MasarykCharles I of AustriaFranz Joseph I of AustriaFerdinand I of AustriaFrancis II, Holy Roman EmperorLeopold II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph II, Holy Roman EmperorMaria TheresaCharles II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph I, Holy Roman EmperorLeopold I, Holy Roman EmperorFerdinand IV of GermanyFerdinand III, Holy Roman EmperorFerdinand II, Holy Roman EmperorFrederick V of the PalatinateMathias, Holy Roman EmperorRudolf II, Holy Roman EmperorMaximilian I, Holy Roman EmperorFerdinand I, Holy Roman EmperorLouis II of BohemiaVladislaus II of HungaryGoerge of PodebradyLadislaus the PosthumousAlbert II of HabsburgSigismund, Holy Roman EmperorWenceslaus IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman EmperorJohn of BohemiaRudolf I of BohemiaHenry of BohemiaWenceslaus III of BohemiaWenceslaus II of BohemiaOttokar II of BohemiaWenceslaus I of BohemiaOttokar I of BohemiaVladislaus III, Duke of BohemiaBretislav IIIWenceslaus II, Duke of BohemiaConrad II, Duke of BohemiaSoběslav II, Duke of BohemiaFrederick, Duke of BohemiaVladislaus II, Duke and King of BohemiaSoběslav I, Duke of BohemiaVladislaus I, Duke of BohemiaSvatopluk, Duke of BohemiaBořivoj II, Duke of BohemiaBretislav IIConrad I, Duke of BohemiaVratislaus II of BohemiaSpytihněv II, Duke of BohemiaBretislav IOldřich, Duke of BohemiaJaromír, Duke of BohemiaBoleslaus III, Duke of BohemiaBoleslaus II, Duke of BohemiaBoleslaus I, Duke of BohemiaWenceslaus I, Duke of BohemiaVratislaus I, Duke of BohemiaSpytihněv I, Duke of BohemiaSromjmir, Duke of BohemiaBořivoj I, Duke of BohemiaMojmir II of MoraviaSvatoplul I of MoraviaSlavomir of MoraviaRastislav of MoraviaMojmir I of Moravia

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Most frequently cited year of birth; other cited years are 908[5] or 911.[6]
  1. ^ VI as duke of Carinthia.

References

  1. ^ According to a bold hypothesis by historian Jaroslav Zástěra, the Premyslid dynasty was a possible direct descendant of the ruling family of Great Moravia, being Borivoj a son of Rastislav of Moravia. See Hypotheses and citations of articles by J. Zástěry on the website of the Club of Friends of the Znojmo Rotunda (in Czech)
  2. ^ "Saint Ludmila Slavic saint". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. September 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "Wenceslas I". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  4. ^ "Sep 28 – St Wenceslaus (907-929) martyr". CatholicIreland.net. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  5. ^ "Svatý Václav se narodil u nás, tvrdí obyvatelé Stochova na Kladensku" (in Czech). iDnes. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  6. ^ "The Premyslids". Genealogy.eu. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  7. ^ According to legend. See page of the duke for details.
  8. ^ The intermission of other feudal lords of different branches could be seen as regencies, as it would happen, for example, in the 15-century Duchy of Austria, where Duke Frederick V exerted regency for his minor cousin, Ladislaus the Posthumous. However, these intermissions could be also similar, for example, to Kievan Rus', where rulers apparently "jumped" from place to place. Albeit this, nothing is proved.
  9. ^ The note referring to the regencies could apply here as well. The reason Conrad did not receive his duchy right after his father's death could be related to a possible minority that stopped him for assuming his power sooner.
  10. ^ The regency referred in previous notes may be proven here: in 1126, when his father died, he was too young to assume power. The rulers appointed by Sobeslaus I in the period 1126-40 could be functioning as regents.
  11. ^ Rare 1943 Third Reich facts booklet
  12. ^ Heavily illustrated rare big original 1943 Nazi book on Eastern Europe and Asia Archived 2009-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Ministři v historii". Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Ministři v historii". Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Prof. Ing. Václav Klaus, CSc". Poslanecká sněmovna Parlament České republiky. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Ing. Miloš Zeman". Poslanecká sněmovna Parlament České republiky. Retrieved 5 April 2018.