the imperial title and made himself the most influential monarch in the west. Personal life Wenceslaus was married twice, first to Joanna of Bavaria, a scion of the Wittelsbach dynasty, on 29 September 1370. Following her death on 31 December 1386 (according to an unproven legend "mangled by one of Wenceslaus' beloved deer-hounds"), he married her first cousin once removed, Sofia of Bavaria, on 2 May 1389. He had no children by either wife. Wenceslaus was described as a man of great knowledge and is known for the Wenceslas Bible, a richly illuminated manuscript he had drawn up between 1390 and 1400. However, his rule remained uncertain, varying between idleness and cruel measures as in the case of John of Nepomuk. Unlike his father, Wenceslaus relied on favouritism, which made him abhorrent to many nobles and led to increasing isolation. Moreover, he probably suffered from alcoholism, which was brought to light in 1398 when he was unable to accept an invitation by King Charles VI of France for a reception at Reims due to his drunkenness. Wenceslaus died in 1419 of a heart attack during a hunt in the woods surrounding his castle Nový Hrad at Kunratice (today a part of Prague), leaving the country in a deep political crisis. His death was followed by almost two decades of conflict called the Hussite Wars, which were centred on greater calls for religious reform by Jan Hus and spurred by popular outrage provoked by his execution. In popular culture The 2018 video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance is set in Bohemia under the rule of King Wenceslaus IV in 1403. The plot revolves around a blacksmith's son unwittingly getting involved in the War of Succession after the death of Charles IV. See also List of rulers of Bohemia Kings of Germany family tree Decree of Kutná Hora Notes References Theodor Lindner. Deutsche Geschichte unter den Habsburgern und Luxemburgern. Vol. II. Stuttgart, 1893. Further reading External links Wenceslas (king of Bohemia and Germany) at Encyclopædia Britannica |- |- |- Medieval kings of Bohemia 1361 births 1419 deaths 14th-century Bohemian people 15th-century Bohemian people 14th-century Kings of the Romans Prince-electors of Brandenburg Dukes of Luxembourg House of Luxembourg People from Nuremberg People of the Hussite Wars Burials at St. Vitus Cathedral Czech people of Luxembourgian descent 15th-century people of the Holy Roman Empire 14th-century Luxembourgian people 15th-century Luxembourgian people 15th-century monarchs in Europe Dethroned