The Děpoltici are the senior surviving cadet line of the Přemyslids, with an appanage in eastern Bohemia whose castles are not named in the sources reached (Kouřim, where Děpolt III fell in 1223, may have been one).
They are the obvious rival princes for any German king who wants to unseat Ottokar, as Philip does in 1203. On 1 January 1200 Děpolt III holds his appanage under the king.
Who he is
- Name
- Děpolt III (died 1223 defending Kouřim)
- Title
- Prince of the Přemyslid blood, holder of an appanage in eastern Bohemia
- Since
- Not pinned
- Born
- Not pinned
- Family
- Descended from Děpolt I, son of Duke Vladislaus I; later members include Ota (1191-1226), Děpolt IV, Bořivoj, Boleslav and Soběslav (cs.wikipedia, Děpoltici).
- Confidence
- medium
cs.wikipedia (Děpoltici): the appanage lay in eastern Bohemia; Ottokar sought to keep the rule in the main line, which led to clashes with Děpolt III; after his death about 1223 the family withdrew to Silesia. en.wikipedia (Ottokar I) says the German king later made Děpolt III duke of Bohemia (1203).
Overlord
Ottokar I, king of Bohemia
What it holds
- An appanage in eastern Bohemia (castles not pinned; Kouřim possible)
How it was acquired
Inherited appanage of the line of Děpolt I.
Allies and rivals
Rivals of Ottokar within the dynasty.
How things stand that morning
Held under the king; no open clash recorded for 1199.
Wealth
The appanage's dues.
Military
Their following.
Threats
- Ottokar's wish to concentrate rule in the main line
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1203 (not yet)King Philip declares Ottokar deposed and names Děpolt III duke of Bohemia.Depends on: Ottokar's change of side to Otto IV. Stopped by: Ottokar staying with Philip.
Places of note
- Kouřim: Děpolt III died defending it in 1223; its link to the appanage in 1200 not pinned
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The line and its later fate are known; the appanage's extent in 1200 is not.
On the map: Not drawn: the appanage's castles are not pinned.
Primary sources for Kingdom of Bohemia (Ottokar I)
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Jarloch (Gerlach), abbot of Milevsko, Jarloch of Milevsko (about 1200 to 1220). The last Bohemian narrative before 1200, continuing Vincentius of Prague. Read online
- The Austrian and Salzburg annals (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries, with continuations to the late 13th century). A family of monastic annals from Austria, Styria and Salzburg, printed together. Read online
- Regesta Imperii V: calendar of the acts of Philip, Otto IV and Frederick II, 1198 to 1272 (calendar of documents of 1198 to 1272, published 1881 to 1901). A dated calendar of every known act of King Philip and King Otto IV, with the acts of popes and princes that bear on the Empire. Read online
- The Registers of Pope Innocent III for 1199 to 1201, Innocent III and the papal chancery (22 February 1199 to 21 February 1201). The pope's outgoing letters for the year, in his chancery's own copy, touching nearly every realm in the atlas. Read online
- Charters and letters of the kingdom of Bohemia, volume 2, 1198 to 1230 (documents of 1198 to 1230, edited 1912). The critical edition of every Bohemian and Moravian charter and letter from Ottokar I's accession to 1230.
- Constitutions and public acts of the emperors and kings, volume 2, 1198 to 1272 (documents of 1198 to 1272, edited 1896). The public documents of the throne war in full text: the election notices of 1198, the princes' declaration of Speyer of 28 May 1199 to Innocent III, the pope's replies, Philip's and Otto's letters and promises, and the imperial acts of 1200 and 1201 including Otto's promises at Neuss in June 1201. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.