2.9.1347 Coronation of Charles IV as King of Bohemia

Charles IV emphasized his position as King of Bohemia and placed great emphasis on the external aspects of his power. Therefore, he also tried to draw attention to his position on ceremonial occasions. The most important of these was his coronation as King of Bohemia.

It was also an important religious act, as laid down in the coronation order issued by Charles. The jewels used at the coronation, especially the royal crown, were to adorn the exterior of the church.

It was probably modified to its present form at Charles's request for the coronation in 1347. However, it is almost certain that older jewels were used for its production. The entire crown, made of high-purity gold, now weighs almost 2.5 kilograms and is set with numerous precious stones. 18 sapphires, 1 rubellite, 1 ruby, 44 spinels, 25 emeralds and 20 pearls were used.

"On the top is a cross with a crown of thorns, which was placed on the head of Jesus Christ at the crucifixion, giving it an almost magical quality. During Charles's lifetime it was modified and then moved many times, but it was saved from all the disasters that threatened it. Interestingly, the original leather case that protected the crown has been preserved. It bears, among other things, the coat of arms of Arnost of Pardubice, who was the Archbishop of Prague at the time of the crown's creation," writes Jiří Martínek in his book Charles IV - Monumental Places Then and Now.

The coronation of Charles IV and his wife Blanka at Prague Castle in the Romanesque Basilica of St. Vitus. The coronation procession led from Prague Castle to Vyšehrad, where the Přemyslid relics were honoured.

"The coronation ceremony actually began at Vyšehrad, which shows that Charles was well acquainted with the historical traditions of the Přemyslid family, from which his mother Eliška Přemyslovna came. According to this tradition, Vyšehrad was also the seat of the mythical founder of the Přemyslid dynasty, Přemysl the ploughman, and Charles IV. By choosing Vyšehrad as the venue for the opening of the coronation ceremony, he was showing his respect for the ancient placewhere, according to ancient Czech myths, the path of Czech statehood began," says Vladimír Liška in his book Karel IV. - Mysteries and Mysteries.

Karel IV thus seems to have had a sense of historical continuity, since he was a Přemyslovian on his mother's side and he revered the ancient Přemyslovian tradition as something sacred. This is evidenced by the fact that in his coronation order he called Prague Castle the Castle of St. Wenceslas, the most important Czech saint and prince of the Přemyslid family.

Zdeněk Míka and Jan Diviš, History of Prague in dates, Jiří Martínek, Charles IV - Memorial places then and now, Vladimír Liška, Charles IV - Mysteries and mysteries, www.wikipedia.org