KING WENCESLAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 185, 26 November 1941, Page 6

KING WENCESLAS

tJiropj'. Ascending the throne as a young man lie came into conflict Avitli the Emperor of the West, ■who intended attacking and absorbing the Bohemian people. But Wenceslas realised that a good treaty is more precious than successful battles; besides, there "was no hope of victory against the great Emperor of the West. So "good King Wenceslas" negotiated a treaty "which enabled Bohemia to retain its national character and traditions, and Wcnceslas to< carry out his ambition of making the people Christians. This was not an easy thing to do, but once he had accomplished it he did not rest from his labours. He set about raising the religious, cultural and moral standards of the people. When it is remembered that the social standards of Europe were very low in the beginning of the tenth century, it will be realised that Wcnceslas, like all great men, lived in advance of his age.

A REAL PERSON What would Christmas be without carols, and what would carols be if they did not include that old favourite, "Good King Wenceslas"? Who was King Wenceslas? Did he ever live, 01* is lie merely a legendary figure? The answer is, lie was a real person who died over a thousand years ago; in fact, the thousandth anniversary of his death was celebrated in Prague only foiur years ago. He has now taken liis place as the herosaint of old Bohemia, which, after the war, became the progressive republic of Czechoslovakia. This Bohemian king hated cruelty and loved peace; consequently he found many outlets for his plii] an-