In the west, the Principality of Prague (Bohemia), governed by the Przemysl family, developed, and split from the Moravian Grand Duchy in 895 (it was captured by nomadic Hungarians in 907). The Přemyslids were the first dynasty of Czech princes and kings, ruling from 9th century to 1306. The dynasty was formed by the semi-legendary peasant, Přemysl Oráč. The Přemyslids aimed to unify the Czech territories and looked to the Latin West, particularly the Holy Roman Empire. As a result of their efforts, the Catholic Church had been established in Bohemia by the end of the 10th century. Bohemia began to collapse in the early 11th century because of the Pshémislas' succession disputes and the growing influence of its neighbours Hungary and Poland (who had seized all of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004). Moravia was annexed to Bohemia in 1019, and Vratislaus II was crowned king by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1085 (he reigned from 1061-92).
In 1198, Přemysl I Otakar proclaimed Bohemia as a hereditary kingdom. The Czech economy expanded swiftly beginning in the late 12th century, with the development of agricultural equipment, crafts, and towns. Kings and landlords welcomed German peasants and craftspeople into their lands. The German patriciate took over the towns. The Czech culture evolved, several monasteries and cathedrals were constructed, and a particular Gothic style emerged. The dynasty achieved its peak power in the second half of the 13th and early 14th centuries. In the 13th century, Czechia governed Austria, Styria, Carinthia, and Krajina before losing these areas to the Habsburgs at the Battle of Dürnkrut in 1278. Wenceslas II (reigned 1283-1305), after capturing the majority of Poland, was crowned King of Poland in 1300. In 1300, a monetary reform was carried out: the silver grosz was introduced. Soon afterwards, in 1306, Wenceslas III was murdered, thereby terminating the main branch of the Przemysl family.
The Luxembourg dynasty ruled Czechia from 1310 until 1437. In 1310, a parliament of clergy, nobility, knights ("noblemen"), and, beginning in the 15th century, members of the townspeople were formed. In 1344, the Archdiocese of Prague was founded. Charles I (who ruled Czechia from 1346 to 1378) became the emperor Charles IV of the Holy Roman Empire in 1355, strengthening Czechia's political, cultural, and economic importance. The Golden Bull of 1356 reinforced Czechia’s position within the Empire and relocated its capital to Prague. Charles IV fostered the development of crafts (silver mining, baize weaving, etc.) and trade, and in 1348, he established Prague University.
The social and national conflicts that arose at the start of the 15th century affected the expansion of the reform movement in the Catholic Church. The Hussite movement, which led to the 1419-1434 conflicts, was ignited by the Constance Church Council's 1415 order that burned J. Hus, a reformer priest and professor at Prague University and a symbol of national spirit.
Two Hussite movements emerged: the moderate Hussites, known as the Taurists, who focused solely on Church reform, and the radical Hussites, known as the Taborites (headquartered in Tábor), who also advocated for societal changes. Christian Europe saw the Hussites as heretics. However, the Hussite movement strengthened the Czech state's independence and national awareness, as well as church reform.
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