Jaromir, Duke of Bohemia

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Bust of Jaromir on Jaromírova Street in Jaroměř.

Jaromir (died November 4, 1035) was the second son of Boleslaus II the Pious and Emma. In 1003, he rebelled against his elder brother Boleslaus III, who had him emasculated, but was unable to secure the throne which was subsequently taken by Boleslaus the Brave, King of Poland. Jaromir and his brother Oldrich then sought military backing from the German King Henry II. At Merseburg, Jaromir promised to hold Bohemia as a vassal of Henry. This action definitively placed Bohemia within the jurisdiction of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1004, Jaromir occupied Prague with a German army and made himself Duke. The state he regained was a small one, as Polish forces still held Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia. Jaromir's reign—like so many of the other early Czech rulers—was a struggle to regain the lost lands. In 1012, Jaromir was dethroned by Oldrich, and forced once again into exile. In a surprise campaign, Jaromir in turn managed to depose Oldrich (1033) but his second reign was short-lived. A year later Oldřich was restored by his son Bretislaus I. Jaromir was imprisoned at Lysa and died (assassinated by one from the Vršovci) in 1035, a year after his brother.