Bořivoj I, Duke of Bohemia (852/853 - 888/889)

The head of the Premyslid Czechs who dominated the environs of Prague, Borivoj in c. 870 declared himself kníže (later translated by German scholars as 'Duke') of the Czechs (Bohemians). Borivoj was recognised as such by his overlord Svyatopluk of Great Moravia around 872 who dispatched Bishop Methodius to begin the conversion of the Czechs to Christianity. Borivoj and his wife Saint Ludmila were baptised by Methodius in 874 and the latter especially became an enthusiastic evangelist, although the religion failed to take root among Borivoj's subjects.

Around 883 Borivoj was deposed by a revolt in support of his kinsman Strojmir, and restored only with the support of Svyatopluk of Moravia.

As with most of the early Bohemian rulers, Borivoj is a shadowy figure and exact dates and facts for his reign can never be considered as completely reliable, although several major fortifications and religious foundations are said to have dated from this time. In old Czech legends he is said to be son of a prince of Bohemians called Hostivít.