Historica Olomucensia

Smil of Lichtenburk and the Žďár monastery

Smil of Lichtenburk is one of the most important noblemen of the mid-thirteenth century. He is described as the wealthiest magnate of his time. The second half of the thirteenth century was also a time when a new Cistercian monastery was started in the area of Českomoravská vrchovina (Czech-Moravian Highlands).
So far Smil of Lichtenburk has been portrayed as a great benefactor of this monastery. The reality, however, is much more complex. It is highly probable, that when the monastery was founded in Žďár nad Sázavou in 1252, Smil was not yet married to Elisabeth of Křižanov and thus not a member of the founders' family. The pattern of the donations is clear: Smil donated only payments, taxes or parishes. The landed property with which the monastery was endowed came from the dowry of Elisabeth.
Smil's endowment of the Žďár monastery was surely crucial, but in historical literature definitely exaggerated. Smil's support was most probably motivated with its attempts for the posthumous security. He does not succeed in founding his own family monastery, thus the support of the Žďár monastery was necessary. The monastery became a burial place of the Lords of Obřany but also the Lords of Lichtenburk. The family line needs more attention, namely Sibyl, Euphemia and Elisabeth. The Žďár monastery became one of the biggest foundations in Moravia mostly thanks to the support of these women.