Wenceslaus I (Czech: Václav; [ˈvaːtslaf] (help·info); c. 907 – September 28, 935), or Wenceslas I, was duke (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death. Wenceslas is best known in the English-speaking world as the subject of the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas".
He was the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia from the Přemyslid dynasty. His father was raised in a Christian milieu through his own father, Bořivoj, who was converted by Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, the "apostles to the Slavs". His mother Drahomíra was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief of Havolans and was baptised at the time of her marriage. Wenceslaus' murder in September of 935 was the result of a plot involving his younger brother Boleslav I of Bohemia. He was venerated as Saint Wenceslaus and is the main patron saint of the Czech state.
(... from Wikipedia on 2010-07-24 12:44:12 )
