The Growth of Power of the Lords Berka of Dubá in the turbulent times of the Fifteenth Century 1. part
Abstract
The lords of Ronov belonged to the significant Bohemian noble families who shaped the history of the Kingdom of Bohemia for several centuries. The aim of this article is to reconstruct the history of one of its branches - the lords Berka of Dubá and Lipá of the Milštejn branch in the fifteenth century, especially with the emphasis on political careers of its individual members.
After more than a half century of political passivity, we can see its representatives once more alongside the king and in hold of important offices on the court of Ladislaus of Habsburg, George of Poděbrady and Vladislaus II. of Hungary. This article highlights that the political growth of the branch of Milštejn originated during the Hussite wars when they supported Sigismund of Luxembourg.
For their help, the king rewarded these lords by the donation of the town Lipá, the crucial centre of the whole North Bohemian region which became one of the cornerstones of their increasing social status. Amicable relations with the Lusatian league were another factor which contributed to the enhancement of the status of this noble family as the league's mercenaries probably helped Jindřich Berka with the final seizing of Lipá in 1440s.
With the benefits provided by this town he was then able to support George of Poděbrady thorough his path to the royal throne and thus to connect his own political growth with him.