10 things you need to know about medieval Bohemia before you play Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

The Kingdom of Bohemia was a powerhouse in the Holy Roman Empire

In the early 15th century, Bohemia wasn’t just a regional power but one of the most influential states within the Holy Roman Empire.

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Its king, Wenceslas IV, was also the King of the Romans, a title that technically positioned him as a contender for the imperial throne. However, Wenceslas' rule was marked by instability – his conflicts with the papacy, disputes with the nobility, and a reputation for indulgence in leisure rather than governance weakened his position.

Though, Bohemia remained a vital economic hub despite its political turmoil. The kingdom's prosperity was largely due to its fertile lands and thriving trade, but the true cornerstone of its wealth was silver mining, particularly in Kuttenberg.

This town was among the leading sources of silver in Europe, supplying vast amounts of coinage that fuelled the regional economy and reinforced Bohemia’s status.

Prague was a leading cultural and intellectual hub

Bohemia’s capital, Prague, was one of the most vibrant cities in medieval Europe. The founding of Charles University in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV – the first university in Central Europe – had transformed the city into a centre of higher learning, where theology, law, medicine and the arts flourished.

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By the early 15th century, Prague was a melting pot of cultures, attracting scholars from across Europe. The city’s intellectual climate was also deeply influenced by religious debates, particularly those surrounding church reform.

Artisans, merchants and scholars made Prague a bustling metropolis, ensuring its place at the heart of European thought and innovation in the Middle Ages.

Religious tensions were brewing

Anyone who knows a thing or two about the Tudors knows that religion was a cornerstone of medieval life, and in Bohemia, it was also a source of deep and abiding conflict.

The early 1400s saw the rise of reformist movements, most notably led by Jan Hus, a theologian and rector of Charles University. Hus criticised the corruption of the Catholic Church, denounced the selling of indulgences and advocated for the use of the Czech language in religious services instead of Latin.

His teachings, influenced by the English reformer John Wycliffe, gained a substantial following, particularly among the common people and lower nobility. However, his defiance of church authority led to his condemnation and execution by burning at the stake in 1415.

His martyrdom sparked outrage and ultimately led to the Hussite Wars, a series of bloody religious conflicts that saw radical reformers challenge both the Catholic Church and imperial authority.

Feudalism dominated society

The social structure of Bohemia in the 15th century was defined by feudalism, a hierarchical system where power was concentrated among the nobility; peasants, much of the population, were bound to the land.

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The king ruled at the top, but his authority was often contested by powerful noble families who controlled vast estates. Peasants were largely dependent on their lords, working the land in exchange for protection and a share of the harvest.

Life for most people revolved around subsistence agriculture, and social mobility was rare. The feudal structure, however, began to fray as the Hussite movement gained traction, with many lower-class citizens rallying against both the church and the nobility in a push for greater religious and social freedoms.

Warfare was brutal – and developing

The 15th century was a period of relentless warfare.

Armies consisted of professional soldiers, mercenaries, and peasant levies, with warfare often taking the form of sieges rather than open-field engagements. Weapons such as swords, maces, crossbows and polearms were widespread, while advances in plate armour made elite warriors incredibly resilient in combat.

Sieges were particularly gruelling, with defenders relying on fortified castles and city walls while attackers used trebuchets, battering rams, and fire to breach defences.

Still, disease and starvation often claimed more lives than direct combat, making warfare as much a test of endurance as of martial skill.

The Czech language and identity were emerging

The early 1400s marked a period of growing Czech national consciousness.

While Latin remained the language of the Church and official documents, Czech was increasingly being used in literature, administration and daily communication. Reformers like Jan Hus championed the Czech language as a means of unifying the people and making religious teachings more accessible. He even helped standardise Czech spelling to improve literacy.

The Hussite movement further strengthened Czech identity, fostering a sense of national pride distinct from the wider Holy Roman Empire.

Castles were centres of power

Bohemia’s rugged landscape was dotted with castles that served as both defensive strongholds and administrative centres. These fortresses were designed to withstand prolonged sieges, often perched on high ground and reinforced with thick stone walls, moats and drawbridges.

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Karlštejn Castle, founded by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century, was one of the most famous, housing the imperial crown jewels and serving as a retreat for the monarchy.

It is important to recognise that castles were not just military structures; they also functioned as courts, treasuries and residences for the nobility – and imposing physical reminders of noble power.

Medicine was rooted in tradition

Medical knowledge in medieval Bohemia was a blend of ancient Greek, Roman and Arab influences, heavily supplemented by religious beliefs and superstition.

Physicians relied on texts by Galen and Hippocrates, while monasteries preserved medical knowledge. Herbal remedies, bloodletting and charms were commonly used to treat ailments.

The Black Death had ravaged Europe in the previous century, and outbreaks of disease remained a constant threat, with limited means to combat infections beyond quarantine and prayer.

The Church was everywhere

The Catholic Church was deeply embedded in all aspects of medieval life, controlling education, moral codes and vast estates.

Monasteries and abbeys played crucial roles in preserving knowledge, providing charity and serving as centres of learning. However, the Church’s wealth and influence also bred corruption, leading to growing discontent and fuelling reform movements like those led by Jan Hus.

The landscape was shaped by agriculture and industry

Bohemia’s landscape featured a mix of dense forests, rolling hills and fertile farmland. Agriculture was the backbone of the economy, with peasants growing barley, wheat and rye, while livestock farming was also essential.

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Industrial activities like blacksmithing, brewing and textile production flourished, but the region’s true economic powerhouse was silver mining. The extraction and minting of silver coins helped sustain Bohemia’s economy and reinforced its strategic importance within the Holy Roman Empire.