Křesomysl was the fifth of the sevenBohemian mythical princes between the (also mythical) founder of thePřemyslid dynastyPřemysl the Ploughman and the first historical princeBořivoj. The names of the princes were first recorded inCosmas chronicle and then transmitted into most of the historical books of the 19th century includingFrantišek Palacký'sThe History of the Czech Nation in Bohemia and Moravia.
One theory about the number of the princes is propped on thefrescoes on the walls of the Rotunda inZnojmo,Moravia butAnežka Merhautová claimed that the frescoes depict all the members of the Přemyslid dynasty including the Moravian junior princes.[1]
Křesomysl's name is thought to be derived from the old Slavonic words"křesat" meaningto strike a light and"mysl" meaningmind orspirit thus literally the name should have meant"lighting the mind". The suffix-mysl is also in the other mythical names Přemysl and Nezamysl.Záviš Kalandra thought the names of the seven princes were cryptic names of ancient Slavonic days of the week - Křesomysl being the fifth - Thursday, in LatinIovis Dies whereasJupiter andThor were both gods of thunder the word"křesat" is explained here asto strike the lightnings.[2]
Another theory suggests the names of the Přemysl ancestors arose from a mistaken interpretation by Cosmas. According to postulation byVladimír Karbusický,[3] Cosmas likely contrived them when trying to read a lostLatin transcription of an old-Slavonic message.[4] When the ancestral names are combined and reassessed, they can roughly cohere an assumed text:
"Krok‘ kazi tethalubossapremislnezamislmna tavoj‘nni zla kr‘z misneklangosti vit..."
In modern English, this may translate to:
"Halt your steps, Tetha, and rather think, I do not intend war or evil upon you, we do not bow to the cross, we welcome guests..."
The alleged message is speculated to be from the Czech princes to theFranks, perhaps in relation to theBattle of Zásek c. 849 described in theAnnales Fuldenses.[5]
Seven mythical princes after Přemysl
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