Once upon a time, in times long past, when wise and strong princes ruled Prague, and when legends spread by word of mouth like the wind along the Vltava. One of them tells of the brave Prince Bruncvík, son of Prince Žibřid, who resided in the ancient Prague Castle, high above the river.
Bruncvík, full of youthful desire for glory and a longing to surpass the deeds of his ancestors, one day after ascending the throne yearned for a better heraldic symbol than a mere eagle. He wanted to acquire a lion, a symbol of strength and courage, and so he decided to set out into the wide world to conquer one for himself. He left behind his beautiful wife Neoménia and set off from Prague Castle on a long, seven-year journey full of dangers and adventures.
His wanderings led him across seas and lands, to regions where the human eye rarely rested. Bruncvík bravely confronted many exotic animals and monsters that crossed his path. One day, when he was shipwrecked off the shores of the strange Amber Mountain, which attracted ships like a magnet and prevented them from sailing away, he found himself in a predicament. However, from that cursed mountain, he was rescued by the enormous bird Noh, which carried him away in its talons, far into a land where Bruncvík encountered another, much more terrifying creature.
There, in a desolate landscape, Bruncvík witnessed a fight to the death. A brave lion fought with a nine-headed dragon, which spewed fire and brimstone. The dragon’s heads writhed and hissed, but the lion held its ground valiantly. Bruncvík, who was destined to acquire the lion for his coat of arms, did not hesitate to intervene. With sword in hand, he plunged into battle, and after a fierce struggle, he managed to strike down all nine heads of the terrible dragon. Thus, he saved the life of the lion, which from that day became his faithful and devoted companion, following him every step of the way and protecting him from all evil.
The paths of Bruncvík and his lion led further, to the castle of King Olibrius, a wondrous ruler whose courtiers had unusual features – some with two eyes, others with only one, still others with only one leg, horns, or even dog heads. King Olibrius held his daughter Africa captive, who was tormented by the evil dragon Basilisk. Bruncvík and his faithful lion did not hesitate and confronted this monster as well. After a victorious battle, Bruncvík freed the princess, and as a reward, King Olibrius gifted him a miraculous sword. It was no ordinary sword, for at the mere command “One head, twenty, thirty, a hundred thousand heads down!” it struck off the heads of enemies without batting an eye.
Thus Bruncvík journeyed for seven long years, experienced many adventures, acquired the lion as his symbol, and a miraculous sword that was to serve him in the fight for justice. When seven years had passed, he longed for home and for his beloved Neoménia. He returned to Prague, to his castle residence, but unnoticed, for he had heard that his wife, convinced of his death, was to marry another suitor.
In disguise, Bruncvík slipped into the wedding feast, which was held in the chambers of Prague Castle. He sat among the guests and carefully watched Neoménia, who, though beautiful, had sorrow in her eyes. When a goblet of wine was offered to her, Bruncvík unnoticeably dropped into the cup the ring he had once given her. Neoménia, upon seeing the ring, immediately understood that her beloved Bruncvík had returned.
At that moment, Bruncvík revealed himself. The suitor, full of rage, lunged at him. But Bruncvík merely raised his miraculous sword and uttered the powerful words: “One head, twenty, thirty, a hundred thousand heads down!” And at that instant, without touching the blade, the sword struck off the suitor’s head, and all others who wished to oppose Bruncvík scattered in terror.
Bruncvík and Neoménia were happily reunited and lived together for another forty years in love and contentment. The faithful lion, who had accompanied Bruncvík throughout the world, remained his closest companion until the end of his days. When Bruncvík died, the lion, full of longing and sorrow, passed away just a few days after him, directly on Bruncvík’s grave.
After Bruncvík’s death, his miraculous sword was walled into a pillar of Charles Bridge, that majestic work connecting the Prague banks, specifically on the edge of Kampa Island. There, within the stone, it rests to this day. And on the bridge pillar, within sight of Klárov, stands a stone statue of Bruncvík, with his faithful lion at his feet, as a reminder of his heroic deeds.
However, legend has it that the sword is not lost forever. When the Czech land is at its worst, when the darkest times descend upon it, then the sword will reappear. The hoof of Saint Wenceslas’s horse, as it rushes into battle, will kick the sword out of the bridge pillar. And Saint Wenceslas, patron of the Czech land, will lead the Blaník knights with it against the enemies, to save his people and restore peace and freedom to the land. Thus Bruncvík’s legacy lives on, in stone and in the hearts of the people of Prague, awaiting its time.