Božena (Křesinova) († after 1052) was probably mistress and second wife of duke Oldřich of Bohemia, mother of Břetislav I.
Historian Cosmas of Prague took down the legend of Oldřich and Božena, the mother of his only son, in his Chronica Boëmorum ("Chronicle of Bohemians"). According to the legend, young (and married) Oldřich set out on a hunt and travelled to Peruc. There, he spied a beautiful peasant girl, Božena, by a well (known today as Božena's spring)[1] and was immediately entranced by her.
Oldřich abandoned his hunt and took Božena back to Prague, and she eventually gave birth to his illegitimate son Bretislaus. In the legend, Oldřich's first meeting with Božena took place in sight of the Oldřich Oak.
Cosmas may have been inspired during his study abroad. In fact, Oldřich's lover was the savior of the House of Přemysl. Oldřich had two brothers, but one of them, Jaromír, was castrated by the eldest sibling, Boleslaus III. Boleslaus was imprisoned in Poland, possibly having only a daughter. So Oldřich was the one Přemyslid able to have a son and heir, but his first wife is thought to have born no children.
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Emma of Melnik |
Duchess consort of Bohemia ?–? |
Succeeded by Judith of Schweinfurt |