The Real War Behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance – The Turmoil Of 15th-Century Bohemia

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has just been released. Just like its predecessor, it is known to be very historically accurate. The action of both games takes place in 1403 Bohemia (today's Czech Republic) during a time of conflict and war. In this timeline, you will learn about the true historical background of the medieval RPG.

The Holy Roman Empire in Turmoil

The late 1400s saw political instability and dynastic struggles in Central Europe. The Holy Roman Empire was fragmented, and the Luxembourg dynasty began to weaken after Emperor Charles IV's death in 1378. His son, Wenceslas IV, faced increasing opposition from the empire's electors for his inability to maintain order. He was deposed as King of the Romans in 1400, further destabilizing the region.

The Western Schism (1378-1417) divided the Catholic Church as several rival popes claimed legitimacy. This made religious and political tensions worse. Sigismund of Luxembourg, Wenceslas' ambitious younger brother, sought to expand his influence over Hungary, Bohemia, and eventually the empire itself. Bohemia was a key battleground for noble and dynastic conflicts in a turbulent climate. The events of 1402-1403, including the imprisonment of Wenceslas IV and Sigismund's intervention, form the historical background of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1378: The Death of Charles IV and the Western Schism Begins
  • November 29 – Emperor Charles IV dies. His son Wenceslaus IV inherits the Kingdom of Bohemia and the title King of the Romans, but he lacks the political skill of his father.
  • March 27 – The death of Pope Gregory XI leads to a crisis. The election of Pope Urban VI is disputed, and a faction of cardinals elects Antipope Clement VII, triggering the Western Schism, which divides Europe between supporters of the Roman pope and the Avignon pope.
• 1385 – 1387: The Rise of Sigismund
  • 1385 – Sigismund of Luxembourg marries Mary of Hungary, strengthening his claim to the Hungarian throne.
  • 1387 – Sigismund secures the Hungarian crown, but his rule is challenged by rebellious nobles.

• 1393 – 1394: Rebellion Against Wenceslaus IV
  • 1393 – The murder of John of Nepomuk, vicar-general of Prague, by Wenceslaus IV’s officials sparks a noble uprising.
  • 1394 – A coalition of Bohemian nobles captures Wenceslaus IV, and his cousin Jobst of Moravia is appointed regent. However, Wenceslaus is later released and resumes rule.
• 1400: Deposition of Wenceslaus IV and Election of Rupert
  • August 21 – Wenceslaus IV is officially deposed as King of the Romans by four prince-electors, accused of ineffectiveness and failing to resolve the Western Schism.
  • Rupert of the Palatinate, from the House of Wittelsbach, is elected as King of the Romans, though his authority is contested.

• 1402: Second Imprisonment of Wenceslaus and the Kutná Hora Crisis
  • Wenceslaus IV is captured again, this time by his brother Sigismund, who aims to assert influence over Bohemia.
  • Kutná Hora (Kuttenberg), a key silver mining town and Bohemia’s economic center, is plundered by Sigismund’s forces, weakening Wenceslaus' financial base.
  • Jobst of Moravia and Prokop of Moravia oppose Sigismund, contributing to the ongoing power struggles within the Luxembourg family.

• 1403: The Setting of Kingdom Come: Deliverance
  • Wenceslaus IV remains imprisoned, leading to unrest among his supporters.
  • Sigismund does not launch a full-scale invasion of Bohemia but instead relies on Bohemian nobles who oppose Wenceslaus to exert influence over the kingdom.
  • The events of Kingdom Come: Deliverance take place, depicting the struggles between Wenceslaus' loyalists and pro-Sigismund forces.
  • Hungarian mercenaries, including Cumans, are part of Sigismund’s army, but by this time, most Cumans were integrated into Hungarian society rather than functioning as a distinct group.

• 1410 – 1411: Death of Rupert and Sigismund’s Rise
  • Rupert of the Palatinate dies in 1410, creating a power vacuum.
  • Jobst of Moravia and Sigismund of Luxembourg both claim the title King of the Romans, causing another succession crisis.
  • 1411 – Jobst dies under suspicious circumstances, allowing Sigismund to secure the title.
• 1414 – 1417: The Council of Constance Ends the Western Schism
  • The Council of Constance is convened to resolve the Western Schism, aiming to restore unity to the Catholic Church.
  • 1417 – The schism ends with the election of Pope Martin V, but political instability in the Holy Roman Empire continues.

So there was a lot going on, you could say. Now go and get your father's sword back!