VENCESLAO, saint, martyr. - Duke of Bohemia, of the Přemyslid family, b. c. 907, d. at Stará Boleslav, 28 Sept. 935.
Educated in the Catholic faith by his grandmother Ludmila, he took the reins of government in Bohemia c. 925; but from the outset he encountered the strong hostility of the anti-German party, which was supported by his mother Drahomira. Since the spread of Christianity among populations attached to their pagan practices was impossible without the assistance of Bavarian or Swabian missionaries, a smouldering hatred against the young prince was fostered and grew among the nobles. The animosity of his subjects increased further when the king of Germany, Enrico I, appeared beneath the walls of Prague (929) with a powerful army and imposed recognition of his authority. The Germanophobic party then resolved upon the duke’s death, since he seemed to them unpatriotic. Boleslao, V.’s younger brother, invited him to the castle of Stará Boleslav and brought about his murder on 28 Sept. 935. Thereafter the unfortunate victim was venerated as a martyr. Feast, 28 Sept.