Bohemian War (Premysloides Dynasty)

Succession Crisis
Romanos took power over Nicean Empire in 1248. This event led to devastating succession crisis, as his father, ruler of Bohemia, king Wenceslau I The One-Eyed was weak, ill, old and drunkard and had not any other heir then Romanos.

As Bohemian Catholic aristocracy and church did not want to have Orthodox emperor on Throne and as they were known about very good and warm relations between Romanos and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, they agreed to accept extraodinary decision of king Wenceslau.

Wenceslau adopted his grandson John of Brandenburg, son of Wenceslau daughter Beatrix, as new heir and new son. He was nephew of Romanos. Wenceslau called Bohemian Estates Council to approve this decision, but council indicated great kingdom schism, as nearly all deputies of cities voted against this decision and in favor of Romanos, while Church and Aristocracy supported John.

As act of resist, city deputies called new "General Estates Council" to Prague, where will be also deputies of guilds, scholars and village councilors. Wenceslau died on heart stroke when he was informed about General Estates Council in Prague.

GEC formed new organization, "Burgeois Commonwealth" as political power representing merchants, guilds and cities supporting Roman Imperial rule and Romanos claim. Burgeois Commonwealth sent emissars to Constantinople and initiated armed revolt in Prague. Insurgents were able to overwhelm Prague garrison and even arrest most of Church dignitaries participating on former Bohemian Estates Council, while aristocrats ran away from Prague.

Empire campaign on Moravia
While Prague was in hands of pro-Imperial forces, Moravia fortified against Imperial rule and Romanos with Strategopulos and other high-ranked officers went to Bohemia, to restore order and rule of Empire.

Moravian Estates formed own army against Empire, called as "Bohemian Army". Bohemian Army command was however divided in question of tactic and strategy. Olomouc regiments went to conquer Prague, while South Moravian regiments fortified Brno and wanted to repel invasion. Without Olomouc regiments, their effort was futile and after 7 days of siege, Brno fallen in Romanos hand. Two days later, without resistance, Imperial Army conquered Olomouc and moved toward Prague.

Prague
Prague was besieged by Olomouc and Silesian forces which fought with pro-Imperial forces. Prague was saved by cavalry corps under command of Albert of Habsburg, who was sent as forward regiments to defeat Olomouc and Silesians forces.

John of Brandenburg, without any resist, give up Bohemian crown and pledge loyalty to Emperor Romanos. John later arrived to Constantinople, where he started studies and became successful innovator of surgery techniques.

With this, First Phase of Bohemian Civil War ended by Imperial victory.

Imperial Reforms
Romanos was celebrated as liberator when arrived to Prague. Prague Mayor coronated Romanos as King of Bohemia and his coronation was celebrated by 40,000 locals.

Romanos, however, understood that he can not rule two very different realms. He needed to overcome massive differences between Catholic, aristocratic, feudal and decentralized Kingdom of Bohemia and centralized, Orthodox and autocratic republican-like Roman Empire.

Romanos decided to "radical path of reforms", called as "Imperial Decrees" Emperor/Imperial Decrees had decisive impact on all stratum of Bohemian society. Romanos focused to gain support of wealthy merchants, guilds, cities and former serfs. This had effect and very soon, Romanos was able to assembly army of 20,000 loyalists with 1,500 elite mercenaries hired by merchants in support of Imperial Rule. Romanos however very underestimated position and wealth of his enemies, as well as their connection to Pope.
 * 1) By decree of Emperor Romanos, all aristocratic titles are abolished. All former aristocrats will be granted lifelong annuity.
 * 2) Land reform will be initiated and all farms larger then 100 hectares will be confiscated and distributed to peasants.
 * 3) Serfdom and corveé are abolished.
 * 4) Bohemians have permission to continue in guild activities.
 * 5) Cities are no longer paying taxes to aristocracy, nor church.
 * 6) Cities appointing own judges.
 * 7) Cities can prosecute former aristocrats and church officials.
 * 8) All levies militia and troops will be granted opportunity to join Imperial Army or return to families with annuity.
 * 9) Kingdom of Bohemia remaining in name and will be changed in to Imperial Province of Bohemia.
 * 10) Constantinople Edicts are approved to take effect in Bohemia.

Catholic rebellions and crusades
Very soon, Prague Bishop sent emissar to Pope and asked for military help. Pope, despite large debts of Papal State, was able to call about 4,500 crusaders, especially heavy cavalry, to help Catholics in Bohemia. James I of Aragon sent about 5,000 pounds of gold and silver to help Catholics in Bohemia and Moravia. With this gold, rebels were able to start gathering mercenary army and rebuild destroyed Bohemian Army.

First rebellions occured 17th November 1267, when well armed, trained and fanatical groups of murderers and rebels initiated unrests in Brno and Olomouc. In night to 18th November, these groups killed about 150 imperial officials and military officers, ignited fires in military granaries and killed hundreds former serfs as punishment for leaving their masters and obeying Emperor.

Romanos sent punitive corps to quell uprising, but they were ambushed near Brno. About 800 imperial troops and officers were killed.

Both large cities, Brno and Olomouc, were soon conquered by anti-Imperial rebels and they declared aristocrat Vok as new anti-King. Vok was able, through his connections and marriage, call thousands soldiers from Silesia, while uprising on Moravia efficiently cut off Roman Bohemia from rest of Empire. In that time, Emperor Romanos was in Constantinople and was not able to sending reinforcements or supplies to Bohemian garrison.

While Tobias of Benesau and anti-King Vok declared Holy Union of Aristocracy and Church, commander of Bohemian Imperial Garrison, general Diogenes Martus initiated offensive against rebel strongholds in Moravia. However, his army was under permanent attacks and ambush by mercenaries and local rebels. Rebel leaders even invited bandits to their ranks.

Turning point
"Imperial Offensive on Moravia" was turning point of Bohemian Civil War. About 6,000 imperial troops, 4,000 loyalists and 3,000 mercenaries and various volunteers moved to attack on Olomouc. At first, it was surprise for rebels, who expected attack on Brno rather then on Olomouc. Olomouc was left by defenders and imperial troops recaptured city, but rebels were able to turn whole offensive in their favor.

At first, they sent for forces from Silesia to attack Olomouc from north. When Silesians arrived, they attacked Olomouc, but it was baffle, as main direct of attack was from south, from Brno. In night from 7th April to 8th April 1268, Bohemian Army encircled Olomouc. Next day arrived Crusade Army of thousands cavalrymen who helped with enstrenghting blockade. After month of siege, most imperial troops perished on starving and diseases, include general Diogenes, while Rudolph of Habsburg ran away.

In Imperial Offensive of Moravia died more then 10,000 imperial troops and loyalists, while rebels lost only 2,000 troops, mostly armed serfs and Silesians.

Rebel Counter-Offensive
Rebels initiated large counter-offensive, as Albrecht with his detachements returned to Prague for building defense of city. Rudolph, who took command over remaining garrison, ordered to burn down all villages and cities on road to Prague, which led to massive dissatisfaction among many citizens and city councilors. Number of cities switched side in favor of Catholics and anti-Imperials. Albrecht troops also confiscated massive amount of supplies, as he want to take "... decisive last stand..." at Prague.

During counter-offensive, rebels captured two thirds of Bohemia, mostly without resistance, but also with brutal terror against liberated serfs. In mining town Jihlava, rebels killed all merchants and members of guilds, include their families. In former manors of Jindřichův Hradec, rebels executed 400 wifes and children of former serfs and near Benesau, they killed 2,000 former serfs. All as punishment for liberty gifted by Emperor.

Battle of Prague
Bohemian Civil War ended in Autumn 1268, when occured "Battle of Prague". About 15,000 rebels marched against 6,000 fortified loyalists in Prague. Most of Prague citizens escaped because of fear from rebel terror. About 12,000 Praguers were able to escape through Austria to Imperial territories and founded large Bohemian community in Constantinople, Thessaloniky and Smyrna. However, Rudolf of Habsburg was decide to defend Prague at all costs.

Battle of Prague was longest and bloodiest battle of whole civil war. Started with rebel attack in eastern parts of Prague at 12th September 1268 and ended 27th January 1269 with rebel conquest of Prague Castle. Rebels had enormous losses during conquest, but they had supply routes, mercenaries reinforcements and reinforcements from crusaders, while Prague garrison was isolated.

In siege died about 20,000 troops of all sides and 8,000 civilians starved to death or were killed in battle. When defeat was obvious, commander Rudolph ordered to destroy Bohemian royal jewels as with fall of Prague also fall Kingdom of Bohemia. He sent small detachment of cavalry with Golden Bull of Sicily as document supporting Romanos claim on Bohemia and then, he died in battle of Prague Castle.

Aftermath
War was irrevocable catastrophe for Bohemia. One of most prosperous and wealthiest region in Europe was totally destroyed and impoverished. Victory of rebels and their punitive terror led to massive exodus of Bohemians in to Roman Empire. From 1269 to 1312, about 350,000 Bohemians left Bohemia to Empire, mostly merchants, artisans, scholars and artists, but also most of former serfs and their families. About 40% of Bohemian population will left country.

Without serfs and wealth of merchants, Bohemia under rule of Vok I fall in famine and decay. From 1269 to 1275, Bohemia will experience devastating famine which kill about 80,000 people. Agricultural output decreased on only 35% of pre-war level, while trade, artisanry and mining decreased to only 10% of pre-war level and it took about hundred years to return on pre-war level.

For Roman Empire, it was also crushing defeat, as Imperial Army was forced to left Pan-European War and was not able to anymore help Frederick II, not mention death of two brilliant commanders - general Diogenes and Rudolph of Habsburg.

For remaining time of Pan-European War, only "Imperial Cavalry Corps" of 1,500 cavalrymen will be able to helping Frederick II in his war.