Anna VON KUENRING

Agnes of Kuenring (born about 1236), was a German noblewoman, courtierwoman of Queen Margaret of Austria and mistress of Her husband, King Ottokar II of Bohemia. She was the first historically documented mistress of a Bohemian sovereign.

Nothing is known about Agnes' early years. When in 1252 Duchess Margaret of Austria married with Prince Přemysl Ottokar of Bohemia, she was part of Her retinue as a lady-in-waiting.

Described by the chroniclers as one of the most beautiful women in court, with short cut red hair (she was nicknamed Palcéřík for this), Agnes soon captivated the young Prince and, with around only 16 years, she became in his mistress. One year later, in 1253, Prince Přemysl Otakar succeeded his father as King Ottokar II of Bohemia.

Queen Margaret was much older than her husband and already barren. Is believed that she offered young Agnes to King Ottokar II, as was described by the chronicler Přibík Pulkava of Radenín:

At first the (Margaret's) shame of infertility was attributed to her husband. When Prince Přemysl learned, he said: Give me one of your ladies and proved my potency or impotence.She agreed and gave him one of the girls he loved more than others, the daughter of the House of Kuenring from Austria. In the first year she bore him a son, Nicholas, which later made Duke of Opava... In addition she made Him father of three daughters (...). So the infertility, earlier atributed to the husband, was credited to his wife.

The relationship between King Ottokar II and Agnes was well known by contemporary sources, and perhaps she even accompanied the King on festive occasions, instead of the aging Queen Margaret.

Around the first year of the affair (ca. 1254–55), Agnes gave birth her first child, a son, named Nicholas and later Duke of Opava. Is known that she bore the King more children, but the exact amount is contradictory in sources; certainly they had three daughters: Agnes (married Bavor III, Lord of Strakonicz), Elisabeth (married Vikard, Lord of Polna and Burgrave of Brünn)and one unknown daughter (wife of Vok, Lord of Kravař), and another son, Jesek (d. 26 August 1296) (later Priest at Wysehrad).[1]

After the birth of His eldest son, King Ottokar II's main objective was his recognition as his heir. In 1260 he unsuccessfully asked Pope Alexander IV the legitimation of Nicholas and hissiblings. One year later, in 1261, the King divorced Margaret and remarried. It's not known what happened with Agnes after that, but supposedly she returned to Austria with the Queen.

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