Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/55

 While Bretislav was plundering the cities of Poland, Rejcka, who ruled the country in her son’s name, appealed for protection to Henry II, who was one of the most powerful rulers of his age. He gladly embraced the opportunity to meddle in the affairs of Bohemia; and at once declared war against Bretislav. This war lasted for several years, and in the end proved disastrous to the Bohemians. Bretislav was obliged to limit his boundaries to Moravia and Bohemia, and to continue to pay the old tribute of five hundred pounds of silver and sixty yoke of oxen. But after this the Bohemian prince became one of the electors of the Emperor of Germany.

Complaint being brought to the Pope that Bretislav had plundered the churches of Poland, as a penance he built a beautiful church in Old Boleslav, or, as the name has been mutilated by the Germans, Alte Bungslau.

Bretislav was a wise and able ruler. During his reign, many good laws were passed, among which the most important was the one in regard to the succession. Having five sons, he feared lest, after his death, the struggle for the throne might plunge the country into civil war, as had been the case in Poland; with the consent of the State Diet, a law was passed declaring that the oldest of the Premysls should inherit the throne, whether he came in the direct line of descent or not.

Bretislav died in 1055, and was succeeded by his oldest son, SpytihnévSpytihněv [sic], who is known in history as the second of that name, the first SpytihnévSpytihněv [sic] having ruled but a small part of Bohemia, during the time when the