Background
The son of Boleslaus I and Biagota, Boleslaus II became Duke (or Prince) on his father's death.
The son of Boleslaus I and Biagota, Boleslaus II became Duke (or Prince) on his father's death.
Boleslaus maintained good relations with the Ottonian German kings, and in 975 supported Otto II during the civil war against Henry II, Duke of Bavaria. In 977, Boleslaus again attacked Bavaria, but on this occasion was barred from annexing any lands by Otto II. Boleslaus' reign is most notable for the foundation of the Diocese of Prague in 973, placed at that time within the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Mainz. In 982, Adalbert of Prague (later known as Saint Adalbert) was appointed to head the bishopric until he abandoned his primacy to lead a mission to the Old Prussians in 994.
The alliance between Poland and Bohemia was overturned between 977 and 985, and Poland participated in invasions led by the German Emperor against Bohemia. However, in 985 or 990 Poland acquired Silesia at the expense of Bohemia. Boleslaus' brutal triumph ensured the unity of Bohemia under a single ruler.
Boleslaus' first wife Adiva, was perhaps the daughter of Edward the Elder, King of England, who married "a prince near the Jupiter mountains", meaning the Alps.
On 28 September 995, Boleslaus and his confederate Vršovci stormed Libice in southern Bohemia and massacred the members of the Slavník dynasty.
