ABSTRACT
The writings of Godfrey of Viterbo found their late-medieval readers in many countries. This holds equally true for Bohemia in the period of the Luxembourg dynasty, especially under Charles IV (1346–78): the distribution of Godfrey’s works has influenced the historical culture in Bohemia. The court of Charles IV was very distinctly influenced by the ruler’s ambition on one side and by the need for dynastic legitimacy on the other. To Charles of Luxembourg, devotion was a central issue and as a result he was in his time presented as the model of the pious ruler: he collected relics, founded churches and altars, promoted the cult of holy patrons of Bohemia and supported the church in general. Public piety was an important part of his self-representation which was based on a strong conviction that he was, ‘with God’s mercy’, chosen to lead his people to salvation. 1 Another important source of legitimacy for Charles and his dynasty sprang from the past: his political claim would often be justified by arguments that were based on history or, as the case may be, appropriately and adequately applied interpretations of the past.
