This article is about an ancient Czech ruler. For other meanings, see Przemysl.

The Czechs name Přemysl (or Przemysl) as the reputed ancestor of the line of dukes and kings which ruled in the Czech lands from 873 or earlier until the murder of Wenceslaus III in 1306. Premysl thus founded the Premyslid dynasty.

According to legend Premysl was a peasant of Stadice who attracted the notice of Libussa (Libuše), daughter of a certain Krok, who ruled over a large part of Bohemia. Premysl married Libussa, the traditional foundress of Prague, and during the 8th century became prince of the Bohemian Czechs. His family became extinct in the male line when Wenceslaus III died, but through females the title to Bohemia passed from the Premyslids to the House of Luxembourg and later to the House of Habsburg.

See also

• List of Czech rulers

Bibliography

• Frantisek Palacky: Geschichte von Böhmen Band 1 (Prague, 1844).

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.