Slavník's dynasty (Czech: Slavníkovci, Polish: Sławnikowice) was a powerful dynasty in Bohemia during the 10th century. It governed Zličane [zlitʃˈɑ:nə] - one of the oldest Czech peoples. The center of princedom was Libice town located at the confluence of the Cidlina and Elbe (Labe) river. The Slavniks competed with the Přemyslids in control over Bohemia and after all ceded to them.

The founder of the dynasty was prince Slavník (? - 981) who lent his name to the whole family. He had consanguinity with the Saxon kings. His wife was Strezislava from the Přemyslid house - a woman of remarkable beauty. Slavnik had seven sons, among whom two - Adalbert and Gaudentius - later became saints. According to Cosmas' chronicle, Slavnik was a happy man all his lifetime.

Slavník's dynasty was related to the Babenbergs, the Přemyslid dynasty, and was friendly with the Polish kings.

Slavnik's heir was his son Soběbor who rushed to consolidate the princedom independence. For instance, he began to coin money in Libice in spite of Prague, and took other separatist measures. This hurt Boleslav's pride a lot, as he was determined to add Slavniks' lands to his kingdom. Since the Přemyslid dynasty could not afford any mighty rivals, Boleslav II with confederates stormed Libice and massacred all of the family on September 28, 995. They found Slavniks even in a church. Executors of the slaughter were Vrsovci - one of the powerful Czech clans. Only three family members survived, Soběbor, Radim (Gaudentius) and Saint Adalbert who damned Vrsovci in a church for their cruelty.

Next year, when Strachkvas Přemyslid was going to assume a bishop office in Prague, he suddenly died during the ceremony itself. Some historians suggest that Strahkvas could have been poisoned by Slavniks survived in Libice tragedy.

Two dynasties' conflict strength is also proved by the fact that Czech rulers initially refused to ransom st. Adalbert's body from Prussians who murdered him, so it was purchased by Poles. St. Adalbert's relics are kept in Gnezdno (Poland) till nowadays.

Family members

Possible

• Witizla
• Vok
• Radslav the Zlican

Certain

• Slavnik
• Strezislava
• Soběbor
• Saint Adalbert of Prague (Vojtěch)
• Gaudentius (Radim)
• Porej
• Caslav
• Spytimir
• Radla - a priest or a monk, the teacher of Adalbert

References

• Cosmas of Prague. Chronica Boëmorum.
• R. Тurеk. Slavnikova Libice. Praha, 1947.
• R. Тurеk. Die fruhmittelalterlichen Stammegebiete in Bohmen. Praha, 1957, S. 23—25, 184—191.
• Hásková, J. 1995: Slavníkovci ve výpovědi svých mincí, Archeologické rozhledy XLVII, 225-230.
• Lutovský, M. 1995: Několik poznámek k problematice slavníkovské domény, Archeologické rozhledy XLVII, 239-245.
• Lutovský, M. - Petráň, M. 2004: Slavníkovci, mýtus českého dějepisectví. Praha.
• Sláma, J.1995: Slavníkovci–významná či okrajová záležitost českých dějin 10. století. Archeologické rozhledy XLVII, 182–224.
• Třeštík, D. 1997: Počátky Přemyslovců. Praha.
• (Red.)Třeštík, D. - Žemlička, J. 1998: Svatý Vojtěch, Čechové a Evropa. Praha.
• Josef Teige: "Blätter aus der altböhmischen Genealogie. Slavnikiden /Die Vrsovcen /Die Herren von Lichtenburg". Damböck, 2005.