"...ut quicunque ab ipsis in regem electus fuerit..." The Golden Bull of Sicily and the Přemyslids' Succession
Abstract
The so called Golden Bull of Sicily, issued by king Frederick II of Germany, is perceived as one of the symbols of the Czech statehood. Nevertheless, the real importance of this document in medieval times is a subject of disputes up to now.
The article concentrates on the part of the text about the right of Czechs to elect a new king, who should be confirmed by Roman king or emperor. The principle of election was an important part of the order of succession in the 11th and 12th century.
The heir to the throne was however predestined by the principle of seniority (usually associated with the last will of duke Břetislav I). It seems probable that the concerned passage of the Golden Bull aimed just against this seniority and prepared circumstances for the foreseeable election of Wenceslas, young son of king Přemysl Otakar I.
On a number of counts the further role of the Golden Bull in the order of succesion in Kingdom of Bohemia was marginal. Anyway, the charter is still important due to legal arrangement of relationships between the Czech and German state.