The Kingdom of Bohemia Faction Preview
While we are so close to a release at the moment we thought that we shoud probably give you guys one last preview. And what a preview it is! All of this was collected by Hody, so the congrats go to him mostly, but also people who helped out who are listed at the bottom.
This time we preview the last faction we decided to include, important Central European player, formal part of HRE, but practically indepandent, stuck between german lands, Poland and Hungary:
The KINGDOM of BOHEMIA
Note: WIP banners
INTRODUCTION
The story of Bohemia could not be told without acknowledging the Przemyslid dynasty which led this country through times of war and conquest or peace and prosperity. Borivoj I (852-889) was the earliest Przemysl of notable importance. He ruled Bohemia during the late 9th century, while still under the umbrella of Great Moravian Empire. The first assertive and expansive lord to dash out of Bohemia was Boleslav I the Cruel (935-972). He extended Bohemia’s control over Moravia, Lusatia, and Silesia. Since this conquest had been undertaken under the reluctant acquiescence of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, only Moravia was retained by the Przemyslid dynasty. Though by the end of the 11th century Vrastislav II ruled Bohemia with the title of King, it didn’t become hereditary until 1212, when the Golden Bull of Sicily was issued.
The most famous of all the Przemyslids was Ottakar II (1253-1278). He expanded the boarders of Bohemia to the south, incorporating Upper and Lower Austria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Styria. Ottokar II was also a crusader and a builder. He made incursions into the realm of pagan Prussia, where he laid the foundations of Konigsburg and Teutonic Order’s domination of the Baltic Sea for centuries to come. The vigorous heart beat of the king of “Gold and Steel” extinguished on the Durnkrut battlefield, one of the biggest clash of armored ride in medieval history. Once again, the Czech Kings had to cut their losses and limit their realm to Bohemian and Moravian Lands. However after a few years of decline, bohemian kings turned their attention northward and before the end of 13th century ruled over most of Poland and great part of Hungary as well.
When in 1306 Vaclav III died, so did the five century long rule of Przemyslid dynasty. This however didn’t mean the decline of Bohemian Kingdom. Moreover, Bohemia’s Golden Age had yet to come during the enlightened rule of Karel IV (1346-1378). He also became the Roman Emperor and made Prague his seat. During this time Prague became the center of cultural and economic activity of the Holy Roman Empire. Karel IV didn’t shy away from conquest either. He attached Lusatia, Silesia, and Polabia to Bohemian kingdom. However, this empire proved to be short-lived as well and disintegrated with Karel’s death.
A new era dawned in the 15th century, one that would end with Bohemia’s decline as a powerful kingdom. This period was characterized by Hussite Wars. Jan Hus, who was a lecturer on the Karlova University, was an ardent reformer of the corrupt Church practices. For his dissidence he was burned as a heretic in 1415. This sparked a rebellion which carried his name. The most important leader to come out of this rebellion was Jan Zizka. He transformed a rabble of peasants into a lethal professional fighting force. With the help of War Wagons, Hussites were able to repel all the crusades sent by the imperialists. Zigmund, who was the reigning King of Bohemia during the rebellion, was proven right when he stated that the “Bohemians could be overcome only by Bohemians.” The moderate wing of the Hussite rebellion broke off and joined the Catholics and on Lipany battlefield 1434 the rebellion came to pass.
In 1458 until his death in 1471, Jiri from Podebrad ruled Bohemia as a king. He would be last native to hold this office. His main goals was to create a United Europe and to fight off the Ottoman threat. After his rule a host of foreigners ascended the Bohemian throne. It continued to be independent but with much of its prestige and power lost. The battle of White Mountain in 1620 marked the end of Bohemia's long and proud history as an independent state.
THE ARMY OF EARLY ERA
unique units:
Varlets of Bohemia
In early middle ages, Bohemian lands were renowned for the bravery and cruelty of their armies, which often served in foreign lands on European battlefields. Bohemian rulers liked to call up criminals indicted with the death penalty to serve in their armies and redeem their freedom, if they show courage in especially difficult circumstances. That is how, for example, a Bohemian regiment in Fredrik Barbarosa’s service was exposed as bait during his Italian campaign, on the bottom of a rocky strait where it was fated to perish. However, when these soldiers resisted couple of enemy charges, the emperor finally sent some reinforcements and knighted the remaining survivors.
Another brave deed with which the Bohemians have achieved glory was during the siege of Milan in 1158, when they were the first to ford the river Aad. From the opposing bank they managed to build a bridge for the emperor’s army and afterwards they were the first ones to climb the walls and open the gates. Their success was greatly aided by their fabled war face painting. They painted their faces with black clay and acted as though they were not of this world. It was rumored that before a battle they made figurines of little toddlers out of dough, which they later baked and ate to further unnerve their opponents. Much like for their heroism these Bohemian soldiers were infamous for their disobedience, untamed pillaging ( even on friendly territory), rampant thievery of burial sites, uncivilized, still half-barbarian manners and it is very likely that these people from the periphery of the society were not yet Christians, or at least until late medieval period they were able to retain their pagan customs and the view of the world.
Psohlavci
Chodovs were free residents of the Bohemian border land, especially around the Domazlice region, whose highest priority was to defend the borders of the Bohemian kingdom. That is why they were the recipients of special privileges, such as were unseen in those days. They didn’t have to pay taxes, they could move freely, learn crafts, and in the borderland woods, they could hunt and fish unrestricted. Also, in the time of peace they were allowed to carry a weapon, which most of the time was an axe called “cakana.” The so called “preseky,” cut down trees with their tips facing the enemy, formed a natural barricade which helped them defend the forested and mountainous borders. They used dogs, whose heads they had painted on their crest, to help them with their duties. Because of this they were often called “Psohlavci” (Dogheads).
They were mentioned as early as 1040 in the chronicles, when prince Bretislav defeated the Roman Emperor Henry III in battle of Domazlice. We can read further about them in those chronicles, especially in relation to them gradually receiving unique rights from many Bohemian lords. The end of “Psohlavci” era was brought about in the 17th century, when their rights were limited and they were forced to employ themselves and pay taxes. Despite this, their tradition didn’t die out and it survives to this day in the Domazlice region.
Knizeci druzina
The main military power in Bohemia beginning 12th century comprised the princely druzhina- milites. Compared to the encompassing and wide-ranging composition of druzhina from earlier periods, their ranks were much leaner, but the core- the princely druzhina alone and its emergency divisions, so called soldiers of the first order (primi ordinis, nobiles, comites), were already of a comparable quality to the west European standard.
The prince regularly chose his administrators from the tight circle of the members of his druzhina (nobiles, “noble, prominent Bohemians). Offices of, for example, castle mayors- kastelans (zhupans), were understood as a reward for their loyalty (beneficium). Offices were not yet hereditary (they could be taken away at a whim), but they brought prestige, administrative and judicial power, share of the state income (taxes, portions, and penalties), etc. A segment of princely milites (castellanes) was assigned directly to centers of castle administration who, along with small vassals (ministerials), were recruited for military campaigns according to castle districts, and under the leadership of their particular kastelan.
In battle, a member of nobility would use the best (and most expensive) available form of passive defense- long chain mail armor and large almond shield. The primary weapon was almost always a long spear, which was replaced by a sword after an initial charge.
The crest under which these elite soldiers fought was the Przemysl Eagle, used in Bohemia until about mid 12th century.
WAR WAGONS
As a sort of bonus: here is a touch of Late era - Hussite War Wagons.
SCREENSHOTS, RENDERS & SIGNATURES
Just for your pleasure..
Question: "How many units does Chivalry: TW have?"
Answer: "Quite a lot!"
Question: "Hm, are you going to release it soon?"
Answer: "Yes, we are advancing steadily.."
"..but there are still many bugs we have to deal with first.."
"..walls of problems.."
"..its a battle!"
Here is the excellent Bohemian signature for all you fans
Older Previews
In case you have missed any, here is a list of our past previews:
Late Era Sneak Peak
High Era Sneak Peak
Poland, Kiev & Novgorod
Cilician Armenia
The Reconquista
Historical Battles
Campaignmap & Rebels
Castles & Sieges
Northern Europe
The Byzantine Empire
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This preview is here thanks to: Dark Fenrir (models/skins/graphic), Hody (historical research,screenshots) and Janosik007 (historical research + translations). We also like to say our thanks to Adherbal (for his faction signs), Dirty Peasant (common units reskin) and Militiaman (Campaign map conversion)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Kaidonni
But no worries. I managed to work my way up to an A in the end. 
