Story #4 (Part 1)
Is it a love story from the ancient Ages, or is it an arranged marriage? Who was Premysl, and how is he connected to a Libuse? Keep reading more about Old Czech tales.
Princess Libuse inherited her father’s ability to fairly judge people’s disputes from far and wide. Everyone trusted her judgment, and she was highly respected. Once, two mayors from neighboring villages went to Vysehrad to ask Libuse to arbitrate their dispute about some land. Their quarrel was fierce and full of hate. Their feud had spread through the whole community. Neither of them wanted to give in at any cost.
The feud mayors found a princess sitting on a raised throne in the company of twelve wise men representing the twelve most powerful families of Czech lands. In the area in front of the throne were people who wanted to know the results of each legal dispute or contribute through their testimony to explain the circumstances of the cases under consideration correctly. The younger of the disputing men began to explain to the princess that the older men wanted to seize his field unlawfully. The older of two, a gloomy bearded man, jumped in. He demanded that the field go to him, and he did not care that his request could harm his neighbor.
Was Libuse a good ruler?
Libuse listened to both of them, weighed up all circumstances, and communicated her opinion to the leader of the twelve wise patriarchs. The princess’s council of men assed it and accepted her judgment. The princess then announced her decision publicly:
“The land belonged to the younger man, and the older was not justified in taking it…”
The princess had not even finished speaking when the mayor, who had lost, frowned with rage, struck his stick onto the ground in a fury three times and said:
“What kind of justice is this? How can women understand men’s affairs? We all know their long hair means they are short on senses. They know how to spin and sew, but judge? Let her sew, but not judge. Shame on us men.”
His eyes reddened with anger, and his thick beard became covered with saliva during his passionate speech. He continued angrily:
“I’m ashamed that a woman is ruling us. Where else do men have to listen to women? Only here, and that’s why we are a laughing stock. It would be better to die than to endure such a government.”
The people in the open space stood still as if frozen. The wise patriarchs bowing their whiteheads and staring at the ground. The princess blushed in humiliation, her eyes showing the disgrace and sorrow of such ingratitude. She did not answer the angry men. She looked at the wise patriarchs and waited for their reaction. When no one stood up for her, the princess broke the oppressive silence.
“Yes, that’s right. I am a woman, and I believe like a woman. I do not rule you with an iron hand, so you think I don’t understand you. For that reason, I agree that you need a strict ruler. You shall have Him! I shall fulfill your request. Now go home. Let the General Assembly elect the ruler. Whomever they choose will be husband.”
Then, Princess stood up and proudly walked away. She headed for the back corner of the Vysehrad Garden, which only she and her sisters could enter. She sent messengers to fetch her sisters before taking shelter in a sacred grove. Libuse walked into the shelter where the wooden statue of the god Perum stood. The Princess knelt and bowed down, and she meditated at his feet for the rest of the day.
She watched the sunset and sat lost in her thoughts beside the statue. She reflected on what had happened that day, trying to guess what would happen next. What would the country’s next ruler be like? Would her sisters agree with her? She was awoken when Kazi and Teta arrived. Nobody found out what the sisters talked about under Perun’s statue. However, they talked for a long time, not leaving the sacred grove until dawn.
In the morning, Libuse sent messengers to summon a General Assembly from the whole nation to Vysehrad. On the appointed day, representatives of all families, rulers, and peasants, old and young, in expensive overcoats and torn tunes, armed and unarmed from near and far, all made their way to Vysehrad. Everyone was eager to know who their prince would be. Friends and relatives welcomed each other, hugged, talked about this and that, and most often, came back to the dispute between two mayors about the land, Libuse’s verdict, and the election of the new prince.
A loud blow of a trumpet announced the start of the General Assembly. An unprecedented number of people gathered in the courtyard. The crowd looked impatiently at the princess. Libuse sat on the royal throne, her two sisters by her side. The people bowed deeply to the princess and then listened carefully to her words:
“You all know why we have met today. I see that you do not appreciate your freedom. I announced that I would not rule you anymore, as you want to be ruled by a man.”
“You wish to have a prince who will call your sons and daughters to serve him. Who will choose the best animals from your herds and saddle up your horses. You wish to serve as you have never done before. Pay all sorts of taxes. You may regret what you wish for.”
“That is the price not to be ashamed about a woman ruling you. I do not want to scare you, but I only repeat what the gods have revealed to me and my sisters. Choose a new prince wisely and deliberately. It is easy to put a governor in place but hard to rid of him. If you want, I can advise you and tell you his name and the place where you will find him.”
Did they find the new ruler? Will the princess be happy with the new men next to her side? Read the part two to find more.
Foto credit: Prague Minos Guide
read more at Wikipedia
More Czech History Tales
Easy day trips in the Czech Republic & Prague
Are you planning a trip to the Czech Republic? Are you a bit overwhelmed about what place to visit and see? I know there is so much to see, and not just in Prague! The whole country is full of beautiful Gems. Here are a couple of my blog posts to help you plan some day trips.
- Romantic day trip to Prague – On this Day Trip, I follow the previous post but move to the Old Town Square and areas around.
- The perfect day trip – Prague – A step-by-step plan, where you can see as much as possible on the side of the river where Prague Castle is. It was a beautiful day full of nice walks and views.
- Lovely day trip – Kutna Hora – Kutna Hora is a favorite place for tourists to visit. It would be best if you put it on your bucket list.
- The Petrin Lookout Tower – Prague – Have you been to Paris? Can you believe Prague has a little sister of Eifel’s Tower?
- Celiac? Traveling to the Czech Republic? Here are helpful tips on letting people know you are Gluten-Free and where to eat and shop.
- Dancing house – Ginger & Fred – If you like unusual places or not boring square or rectangular buildings, you should carve a time to see them while visiting Prague.
and there you have it…. Enjoy the city and the whole country!!!!
Until next time…!
DOBROU CHUT!
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