St. Wenceslaus
On the Grapevine 29
King Wenceslaus (907-935 AD, aka King Wenceslas) was the Duke of Bohemia, raised by his grandmother Ludmilla until her murder by his pagan mother, Drahomira. Before her death, St. Ludmilla raised Wenceslaus as a devout Christian. Drahomia ruled in his name, but he eventually overthrew her because of her cruelty. He so loved the mass that he would travel great distances to attend. As a penance he would often travel barefoot, which would cause his feet to bleed. People became accustomed to seeing bloodied footsteps in the snow and knowing King Wenceslaus was at Mass. He also often disguised himself and traveled to the Church at night, bearing alms and gifts for the needy.
King Wenceslaus' younger, power-hungry brother, Boreslav, didn't like his pro-Christian policies and military defeat at the hands of German king Heinrich I. He and a group of nobles trapped and assassinated Wenceslaus on his way to Mass one day, and Boreslav assumed the throne. King Wenceslaus is perhaps best known for the Christmas Carol about him, "Good King Wenceslaus."
You can read more about Good King Wenceslaus HERE.
<3 Meg
King Wenceslaus' younger, power-hungry brother, Boreslav, didn't like his pro-Christian policies and military defeat at the hands of German king Heinrich I. He and a group of nobles trapped and assassinated Wenceslaus on his way to Mass one day, and Boreslav assumed the throne. King Wenceslaus is perhaps best known for the Christmas Carol about him, "Good King Wenceslaus."
You can read more about Good King Wenceslaus HERE.
<3 Meg