Royal cities


The term royal city denotes a privilege that some cities in the Lands of the Bohemian Crown enjoyed during the Middle Ages. It meant the city was an inalienable part of the royal estate; the king could not sell or pledge the city. At the beginning of the 16th century, about 40 cities enjoyed this privilege. The citizens of these cities had a higher position in the estates of the realm than any other subjects.
A similar status was dowry town; these were a source of income for the Queen. These cities had a duty of socage. Originally, this meant that each citizen had to work the kings land a certain number of days each year, but this was soon replaced by a cash payment.

Citizens of the royal cities

Citizens of the royal cities had a special social status. It took a legal deed to become citizen. If the applicant purchased a home, or lived in the city for a long time, or could prove "good" ancestry and a decent family life and, if he had been a subject, could show a release certificate, then the applicant had a chance to be admitted to this privileged class. There were other ways to obtain this status: one could purchase it, or marry into it. Sometimes a city would offer citizenship, especially to educated inhabitants.
The precise rights and duties of the citizens differed considerably from city to city. They depended on the status of the city. Even among the citizens, there was a hierarchy, which was reflected in income, the order at the Last Supper and the seat in the church, but also at the location of the house.

Royal cities in Bohemia and Moravia

Czech name, German name, and year of appointment:
  • Uničov 1213
  • Bruntál 1223
  • Opava vor 1224
  • Hradec Králové 1225
  • Znojmo 1226
  • Jemnice etwa 1227
  • Hodonín etwa 1228
  • Litoměřice 1228–1230
  • Bzenec 1231
  • Staré Město 1235–1245
  • Brno 1238, 1240
  • Stříbro 1240
  • Loket 1240–1253
  • Žatec 1265
  • Přerov 1252
  • Olomouc 1253
  • Jihlava 1253
  • Písek 1256
  • Kolín 1253–1261
  • Kouřim 1253–1261
  • Tachov 1253–1278
  • Most before 1257
  • Uherské Hradiště 1257
  • Čáslav c. 1260
  • Chrudim c. 1260
  • Klatovy before 1260
  • Vysoké Mýto c. 1260
  • Ústí nad Labem c. 1260
  • Louny after 1260
  • Kadaň before 1261
  • Domažlice c. 1262
  • České Budějovice 1265
  • Polička 1265
  • Chotěboř 1265–1278
  • Ostrov nad Ohří 1269
  • Litovel 1270
  • Uherský Brod 1272
  • Sušice 1273?
  • Nymburk 1275
  • Dvůr Králové 1253–1278 and after 1399
  • Jaroměř 1253–1278
  • Mělník 1253–1274
  • Kutná Hora vor 1276
  • Plzeň 1295
  • Nový Bydžov 1305–1325
  • Vodňany 1337
  • Pražské Nové Město 1348
  • Karlovy Vary 1370
  • Trutnov 1399
  • Nový Knín 1437
  • Velvary 1482
  • Kyjov 1548
  • Beroun
  • Slaný
  • Hlivice
  • Ivančice
  • Kozlí
  • Opolí
  • Pohořelice
  • Prudník
  • Ratiboř
  • Žárov