Josef Menčík
Josef Menčík was a Czech chivalrist.
Early life and Dobrš
Menčík was born on 14 March 1870 in Dobrš, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary. Contrary to popular belief, Menčík owed his descent to a farming family. As a teenager, he burnt down the local Dobrš pub out of anger. In 1911, Menčík bought the 14th-century Dobrš Fortress from the Schwarzenberg family, with the aim of restoration. He collected medieval artifacts related to chivalry, said to have come from France. His armour was from Germany. He lit his home exclusively with candles and torches. Menčík rode on horseback around his lands and village in armour, and he took an interest in educating young people about Czech history and the ideals of chivalry. He invited school excursions to his fortress.Late life
When tanks invaded the Sudetenland in 1938, he put on his armour, took up his sword and rode towards the tank army, ultimately blocking their advance. The Germans did not shoot at Menčík, they only seemed to hesitate before driving around him.Menčík was allowed to return to Dobrš Fortress and live in peace, as his attempt was not seen as serious resistance. He survived to see Czechoslovakia liberated by 1945, but by then he had already been made to move out of Dobrš Fortress and relocate to his son's home due to the communist regime of Klement Gottwald taking over Czechoslovakia. The vacant fortress, still in his possession, was nationalised in the aftermath of the liberation, and Menčík died shortly after. He died on 19 November 1945 in Buzičky.