Who Was the Real Good King Wenceslas Behind the Christmas Carol?

We all know of the legendary Good King Wenceslas. We take pleasure in retelling his enchanting story each winter, in the singing of his very own Christmas carol. But who was the real Good King Wenceslas, and why has he gone down in history as a traditional symbol of Yuletide generosity and Christian kindness?

“Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.” 

No evening of carol singing would be complete without a joyful, spirited round of Good King Wenceslas. Since its publication nearly 200 years ago, it has become one of the world’s favorite Christmas numbers.

Out of an estimated 10,000 Christmas carols, Good King Wenceslas has recently been ranked at number 21 on a list of the greatest of all time. This is according to a survey taken by the Classical music radio station “Classic FM” during the Advent season of 2023. In this particular list, Good King Wenceslas sits neatly between The Three Kings, at number 20, and The Holly and the Ivy, at number 22.

21st-century audiences cannot get enough of Good King Wenceslas — this is proved by the number of times it has appeared in modern and mainstream productions. Good King Wenceslas, whether in snippets or full form, can be heard in all manner of entertainment: from Love Actually to The Polar Express, from The Simpsons to The Big Bang Theory, and from Doctor Who to a timeless favorite — The Muppet Christmas Carol. Even The Beatles recorded a rendition of Good King Wenceslas in 1963.

So, why is it that the popularity of Good King Wenceslas has endured throughout the decades? What could be responsible for the automatic smiles at any gathering upon hearing its introduction? Perhaps its bouncy and uplifting melody, its memorable lyrics, its heartwarming message, or a combination of all three?

The British conductor, Jeremy Summerly, claimed that the carol is “magical,” and that any chorister would “remember it because the verse just works.” Furthermore, in The Oxford Book of Christmas Carols, Brian Scott explained why singers still adore Good King Wenceslas: “It reminds us of the giving spirit of Christmas.”

The tune with which we are all so familiar was written nearly four and a half centuries ago. To begin with, it was named Tempus Aest Floridum, which translates as Eastertime Is Come. Yes, the tune of Good King Wenceslas was originally intended to accommodate words that hailed the return of spring and celebrated the annual remembrance of Christ’s resurrection. Its first appearance can be found in the 1582 collection of music entitled Piae Cantiones, which was compiled by Jacobus Finno, a Finnish clergyman and musician.

Sometime later, in 1853, the lyrics to Good King Wenceslas were written specifically to fit the music. The iconic poetry was composed by the English hymn writer John Mason Neale (1818-1866), together with his editor Thomas Helmore (1811-1890). The finished product was published in a book called Carols For Christmas-tide, which was published by a company called Novello&Co later that year.

As well as being a Christmas caroling classic, Good King Wenceslas is also a perfect song to sing on Boxing Day. This is because the story it tells is set on the 26th of December, otherwise known as Saint Stephen’s Day. Saint Stephen’s Day commemorates the death of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose story appears in the Book of Acts.

This annual festival is mentioned in the opening line: “Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen.”

We know that the weather was typical for the time of year and the location. We may bring to mind a tranquil scene when we hear the words: “When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even,” but our pleasant image is contrasted with the warning that follows, “though the frost was cruel.”

While looking out of what we can only presume was a warm and magnificent residence in the heart of Bohemia, Good King Wenceslas caught sight of something unexpected in the distance “when a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.”

Taking pity on those less fortunate, Good King Wenceslaus summoned his servant (“hither page come stand by me”) and requested to know more about the unknown man in the distance (“where and what his dwelling?”) Understanding that the man would very likely be cold and hungry, Good King Wenceslas decided to share the abundance of his Christmas feast with him (“bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, thou and I will see him dine, when we bear him thither”). We may bear in mind that the 26th of December was only the second of the twelve days of Christmas and that the festivities at Wenceslas’s castle would only just have begun.

The remaining verses tell the story of the duo’s journey through the “bitter weather.” In the midst of the venture, the page confessed that he did not have the strength to carry on (“Sire the night is darker now and the wind blows stronger, fails my heart I know not how, I can go no longer”). So that he might shield his page from the harsh weather, Good King Wenceslas generously advised his page to walk directly behind him (“Mark my footsteps my good page, tread thou in them boldly, thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly”).

The carol ends with a charming piece of advice: “Therefore Christian men be sure, wealth or rank possessing, ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.”

So now we’ve revisited the story — who exactly was this fascinating tale inspired by? And is there any truth in the tale? There’s only one way to find out. Let us now step back to 10th-century Bohemia, where we will attempt to discover Good King Wenceslas as a genuine historic figure rather than as a mysterious myth.

The first thing to know about the real Good King Wenceslas is that he was never a king at all, but merely a duke. We may be disappointed to hear that his supposed royal blood was practically non-existent, but the truth is that Good King Wenceslas was actually Wenceslaus Duke of Bohemia.

It was the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, who posthumously conferred on Wenceslaus the regal dignity and title, and this is why he is now called a king in legends, stories, and even much-loved Christmas carols.

The young Wenceslaus was born on an unspecified date in around 907. His birth took place in the town of Stochov in the Czech Republic, which at the time formed part of the Kingdom of Bohemia. His father was Vratislaus I of the house of Premyslid, and his mother was known simply as Drahomira. He had one brother called Boleslav who, in shocking contrast with his own epithet, would later become known as Boleslav the Cruel.

Despite common assumptions, although he was a dedicated Catholic himself, Wenceslaus did not come from a long line of Christians. His paternal grandfather had been converted to Christianity by Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, so the religion had only been in his family for two generations at the time of his birth. Drahomira, on the other hand, was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief.

It was not until the year 921 that Vratislaus, Duke of Bohemia, died unexpectedly. This left his eldest son, Wenceslaus, to inherit not only the Dukedom but all the responsibility that came with it. At the time of his accession, Wenceslaus was just 13 years old.

Naturally, the mother of Vratislaus (and paternal grandmother of Wenceslaus), assumed her position as regent. She was a devoted Christian called Ludmila, and she ruled for a short time with Wenceslaus.

Jealous of the influence that she wielded over her son, and disapproving of their shared love of God, the pagan Drahomira arranged to have her ruling mother-in-law killed. Ludmila was accosted at Tetin Castle by assassins selected by Drahomira. Legend has it that Ludmila was strangled to death with her own veil. Drahomira assumed the role of regent immediately; her first action was to initiate harsh measures against Christians.

It was not until four years later, when Wenceslaus turned 18, that he and his Christian nobles rebelled against Drahomira and her government. His uprising was successful, and he sent his mother into exile. From then on, he ruled independently, answering only to the Pope and to God.

Wenceslaus may not have been a true king, but he certainly acted like one, and he was certainly Good. Known as the complete opposite of Boleslav, Wenceslaus was affectionately referred to as Wenceslaus the Good, even within his own lifetime. He ruled Bohemia as duke from February 13th 921 until his death in either 929 or 935.

Wenceslaus was both a peaceful and successful ruler. He was praised for his Christian charity and virtues. The Catholic Encyclopaedia tells us that “Wenceslaus placed his duchy under the protection of Germany, introduced German priests and favored the Latin rite.” It also informs us that he had “ …taken the vow of virginity.”

Throughout history, there have been countless examples of rulers whose family members have succumbed to a jealous rage. There are also countless examples of power struggles that resulted in the death of either a ruler or friend. One such example can be found in the tale of Wenceslaus and his younger brother, Boleslav.

The story of these competing brothers began in September of 935 when a group of like-minded nobles allied themselves with the young and ambitious Boleslav. Together, these conspirators plotted to kill Wenceslas and make Boleslav their ruler instead. Boleslav was motivated not only by jealousy but also by a dislike of Wenceslaus’s Christian attitudes and behaviors. Unbelievably, Boleslav was even encouraged by his pagan mother, Drahomira, who had been exiled by Wenceslaus some years previously.

With all the innocence of a beloved younger brother, Boleslav invited Wenceslaus to a celebration. Supposedly, the event was being held in celebration of the Feast of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damien. During the festivities, at what we can only imagine was an opportune moment, Wenceslaus was unexpectedly murdered. Three of Boleslav’s companions—Tira, Cesta, and Hnevsa—stabbed Wenceslaus to death. As the Duke of Bohemia fell to the floor, Boleslav finished the job by running his elder brother through with a lance.

At the age of either 22 or 28, Wenceslaus had lost not only his dukedom but also his life. The Catholic Encyclopaedia explains that “For religious and national motives, and at the instigation of Drahomira, Wenceslaus was murdered by his brother Boleslav.”

After hearing of his untimely demise, the Good King Wenceslas we all know and love becomes not only a figure of pity but also the subject of martyrdom. If anything, his tragic fate only adds to his appeal.

According to legend, one of Boleslav’s sons was born on the same day of Wenceslaus’s murder and Boleslav’s succession. Boleslav named his boy Strachkvas, which translates as “dreadful feast.” We can assume that Boleslav was delighted to finally have obtained his heart’s desire, but at the same time, we may perceive that his choice of name for his son indicates some remorse for his actions.

A further legend states that a loyal servant of Wenceslas, named Podevin, avenged his master’s death by killing one of Boleslav’s chief conspirators. Podevin was sentenced to death by Boleslav, and later executed. It is thought that Podevin was actually the page referenced in the carol, the same man who, while accompanying his master on his adventure, walked gladly in the footsteps of Wenceslaus after informing him that he “could go no longer.”

The remains of Wenceslaus now lie in St Vitus Cathedral, the largest and most important Church in Prague. The Catholic Encyclopaedia also explains that “Wenceslaus’s body, hacked to pieces, was buried at the place of murder, but three years later Boleslav, having repented of his deed, ordered its translation to the Church of St Vitus in Prague.”

Immediately after his death, Wenceslaus was considered both a martyr and a Saint. Within just a few decades, several biographies had been penned and had entered circulation. Consequently, devotion to Saint Wenceslaus became extremely popular, particularly in Bohemia and England.

One of the most notable admirers of Wenceslaus was the priest, chronicler, and historian known as Cosmas of Prague. He claimed that all the myths now surrounding the life of Wenceslaus should be considered as genuine facts. Of Wenceslaus, he wrote the following praise: “No one doubts that, rising every night from his noble bed, with bare feet and only one chamberlain, he went around to God’s churches and gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered not a prince, but a father of all the wretched.”

A few centuries later, Pope Pius II (1405-1464) decreed that all legends regarding Wenceslaus should be regarded as truth. In remembrance of the duke, and as an act of thanksgiving to God, Pius mimicked the actions of Wenceslaus by walking ten miles barefoot in the snow in order to give alms to the poor.

Wenceslaus is now described by the Encyclopaedia Britannica as “Prince of Bohemia, Martyr, Patron Saint of the Czech Republic.”

The Lasting Legacy of Good King Wenceslas 

The life and works of Good King Wenceslas—or Wenceslaus of Bohemia—are still extremely relevant in the 21st century. That is not just because of his Christmas carol, but because of a host of other reasons too.

The Feast of Wenceslaus of Bohemia is now celebrated annually on the 28th of September. It is so important in the Czech Republic that it is now regarded as a national holiday. Famously, Wenceslaus is the only Czech Saint whose name appears worldwide on the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Feast of Saint Wenceslas is observed in a variety of interesting ways. Attending Mass for Saint Wenceslas and enjoying a dish of roast goose with potato dumplings are just a few of the traditions associated with the day.

This is to mention nothing of the fact that Wenceslas Square—one of the main city squares and the undoubted center of business in Prague—is named after him. It is customary to pay tribute to the life and works of Saint Wenceslas by laying a wreath on the statue on the 28th of September.

Any historian would agree that Wenceslas is still famous for many reasons. However, when asked about why Wenceslaus is so well-known, the majority of people living today would immediately reference the Christmas carol as their answer. It is not his life, death, or sainthood for which he is best remembered, but for the festive song that he inspired.

If its past success is anything to go by, we may imagine that Good King Wenceslas will be enjoyed by carolers for many centuries to come.