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Wenceslaus I

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Monarch

The Resume

    (circa 907-September 28, 935)
    Born in Prague, Czech Republic
    Duke of Bohemia (921-35)
    Assassinated at the instigation of his brother, Boleslaus the Cruel
    Venerated as a martyr and a saint
    Patron saint of the Czech Republic
    Feast day is September 28
    Subject of the carol ‘Good King Wenceslaus’

Why he might be annoying:

    It is tough to tell which stories about him are true and which are pious legends.
    As part of his efforts to promote Christianity in Bohemia, he reportedly had flogged any guests at royal banquets who failed to join in the saying of grace.
    He had to pay tributes to King Henry I the Fowler to avoid being conquered by the Saxons.
    There is debate over whether he was assassinated in 929 or 935.
    He can be easily confused with King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia, who ruled three centuries later.
    English speakers would probably have no idea who he was if it hadn’t been for the song ‘Good King Wenceslaus.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had a reputation for giving generously to widows and orphans.
    He was murdered on the way to mass and died on the steps of a church.
    He forgave his brother as he was dying.
    Although he was only a duke in life, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I posthumously declared him a king.
    His statue in Wenceslaus Square is a popular meeting spot in Prague.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 117 Votes: 47.01% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 10 Votes: 10.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 101 Votes: 51.49% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 892 Votes: 40.36% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying