The Good King
While not the most popular of Christmas carols, Good King Wenceslas nevertheless graces our traditions, and probably most Americans are not aware that he is a Czech King! Those who have traveled to Prague, may be familiar with the fact that the central square in New Town is named for Wenceslas where he is also rendered in bronze and mounted on his regal horse. He has become the patron saint of the Czech lands as Czech Statehood day is celebrated in tandem with his feast day. Oddly enough though the carol does not originate in the Czech Republic at all. The tune and melody originally was taken from a Finish song and then in 1853 John Mason Neale wrote the words and the carol using the Finish melody(though there is some debate whether he may have translated a Czech manuscript). This carol has been performed by a wide array of musicians, performers, and orchestras ranging from Bing Crosby to the Beatles. While the original text may or may not originate in the Czech Republic its origin story most definitely does.
Wenceslas Square with the National Museum at the far end, behind the statue of Wenceslas or in Czech “Vaclav”
Good King Wenceslas lived from 907 to 28 September 935. His tale, though somewhat short, obviously had a lasting effect. His grandfather was converted to Christ through the missionary efforts of Cyril and Methodius. His own father was wed to the daughter of a pagan tribal chief. Upon his father’s untimely death, his mother, eager to return to her pagan roots, assassinated his grandmother, assumed the role of regent and began persecuting Christians. Wenceslas however, did not approve, and with the support of Christian nobles defeated and banished his mother to confinement in a removed castle. At only 28 years old he was murdered by his younger brother Boleslav who ran him through with a spear on September 28, 935. Despite his somewhat short and anticlimactic reign there are monuments, holidays, and songs written in tribute to this brief ruler's life. Even these thousand years later, Americans, thanks to Neale’s Carol, continue to sing his remembrance.
Yet, why? He had no crowning political achievements nor military conquests. Rather, the memory of Wenceslas lives on because of the manner of the life that he did live. He was a man before his time. He was a servant leader. He was known to spend his days attending to the needs of the poor, caring for the orphans and widows, and comforting prisoners. In the year 1119, historian Cosmas of Prague wrote of him:
But his deeds I think you know better than I could tell you; for, as is read in his Passion, no one doubts that, rising every night from his noble bed, with bare feet and only one chamberlain, he went around to God’s churches and gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered, not a prince, but the father of all the wretched.
Wenceslas is remembered not for his role, but because of his life lived well, and thus became remembered for the adjective of ‘good’ before his title. In fact, he never assumed the title of “king” while alive. He was only noble and regent. The title of king was bestowed upon him posthumously by a pope some years later. The picture of his life is a rather tragic and broken tale of personal difficulties. Yet, he is now celebrated as the ‘good’ king who resolved to lead with humility and generosity, serving those whom he had authority over, the ideal and symbol set before this resilient and humble Czech nation.
