George of Poděbrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady (23 April 1420 – 22 March 1471), also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad (Czech: Jiří z Poděbrad; German: Georg von Podiebrad), was the sixteenth King of Bohemia, who ruled in 1458–1471. He was a leader of the Hussites, but moderate and tolerant toward the Catholic faith. His rule was marked by great efforts to preserve peace and tolerance between the Hussites and Catholics in the religiously divided Crown of Bohemia – hence his contemporary nicknames: "King of two peoples" (Czech: král dvojího lidu) and "Friend of peace" (přítel míru).
| George of Poděbrady | |
|---|---|
Jiří of Poděbrady as depicted in 1607 | |
| King of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 2 March 1458 – 22 March 1471 |
| Coronation | 2 March 1458, Prague |
| Predecessor | Ladislaus the Posthumous |
| Successor | Vladislaus II |
| Born | 23 April 1420 Probably at Poděbrady Castle |
| Died | 22 March 1471 (aged 50) Prague |
| Spouses | Kunigunde of Sternberg Johana of Rožmitál |
| House | Poděbrady |
| Father | Victor of Munsterberg |
| Religion | Utraquist Hussite |
During the 19th century, in period of the so-called Czech National Revival, he began to be praised (even somewhat idealized) as the last Czech national monarch (in terms of ethnic awareness), a great diplomat and a courageous fighter against the domination of the Catholic Church. In modern times he is remembered mainly for his idea and attempt to establish common European Christian institutions, which is now seen as an early historical vision of European unity.