Silver Coin 200 CZK Chronicler Kosmas 900th Death Anniversary 2025 Standard

Chronicler Kosmas

Kosmas (probably 1045 - 21 October 1125), a Czech chronicler and canon of the St. Vitus Chapter, is considered the founder of Czech history thanks to his life's work (Chronica Boemorum, Chronicle of Kosmas). His chronicle is also the source of almost all information about his life.

He was born in Prague into a wealthy priestly or noble family. Thanks to his origins, he was educated at the Prague Cathedral School, the Cathedral School in Liege, Belgium, and probably at other schools in Europe. As was common at the time, by the time he had completed his many years of study he was a mature man. After 1090 he returned to Bohemia and became a member of the Prague chapter. He held this position in the interest of the bishops of Prague and the monarch. He undertook several diplomatic journeys in Europe, which enriched him with the necessary insight.
At this time he married Mrs. Bozetecha, fathered a son, Henry, and settled in the Prague canon house. Celibacy and the prohibition of marriage were not obligatory for priests at that time. Therefore, there were no obstacles to his being ordained a priest in Ostřihom in 1099. From 1120 until his death, he even served as dean of the Prague chapter that administered the prestigious St. Vitus Cathedral School.

Kosmas began to record the first events around 1118. At the same time, he drew his ideas from collected materials and from listening to stories from the past years. He began the chronicle describing the history of the whole nation in 1119 and worked on it until his death in 1125.
The unique work consists of three parts and is written in medieval Latin using prose rhymes. The first book begins with the building of the Tower of Babel. It then tells the story of the arrival of the Slavs on our territory and the beginning of Czech history. It continues with the history beginning with the birth of Prince Bořivoj at the end of the 9th century and ends in 1038. This volume draws on legends and other works, which it adapts without regard to veracity or timeline.

The second and third parts are based on the accounts of people who experienced the events themselves. The accounts are more accurate, but out of concern for the opinions of his superiors he edits them into a correct form. The second part records the history from 1038 and ends with the death of King Vratislaus II in 1092. The third volume continues with the reign of Břetislav II and ends with the author's death. The entries are the most accurate, recording the period lived by Kosmas himself.

Kosmas is the author of the most important medieval literary work published in Bohemia.

Each silver coin in the Standard design is placed in a protective plastic capsule along with a certificate of authenticity from the CNB. The dark blue etui is included only in the Proof version.