Božena Kresinova

  General Notes:

According to the legend, young (and married) Oldrich set out on a hunt and travelled to Peruc. There, he spied a beautiful peasant girl, Božena, by a well (known today as Božena's spring)[1] and was immediately entranced by her.

Oldrich abandoned his hunt and took Božena back to Prague, and she eventually gave birth to his illegitimate son Bretislaus. In the legend, Oldrich's first meeting with Božena took place in sight of the Oldrich Oak.

Cosmas may have been inspired during his study abroad. In fact, Oldrich's lover was the savior of the House of Premysl. Oldrich had two brothers, but one of them, Jaromír, was castrated by the eldest sibling, Boleslaus III. Boleslaus was imprisoned in Poland, possibly having only a daughter. So Oldrich was the one Premyslid able to have a son and heir, but his first wife is thought to have born no children.

Božena married Duke Oldrich of Bohemia, son of Duke Boleslaus of Bohemia II and Emma of Melnik. (Duke Oldrich of Bohemia was born circa 975 and died on 11 Nov 1034.)