Around 1250, the Vítkovci clan settled at the
Rožmberk Castle in the region of
Český Krumlov, then about 1253 erected the
Český Krumlov Castle. The Český Krumlov Castle thus became the residence of the Lords of Rosenbergs for the next three hundred years. It was the Rosenbergs who influenced the appearance of southern
Bohemia to a great extent. The
coat of arms and emblem of this family was represented by a red five-petalled rose on a silver field, which is still often seen in a considerable part of southern Bohemia.
Peter I of Rosenberg held the post of the superior
chamberlain at the court of
John of Bohemia. His wife was a widow of the Bohemian King
Wenceslaus III. Another significant personage of the family was
Jindřich III of Rosenberg, a son of
Oldřich I of Rosenberg, who led the
League of Lords, being displeased during the reign of King
Wenceslaus IV. Jindřich's son,
Oldřich II of Rosenberg, was a member of the
Bohemian nobility who defended the interests of Bohemian catholic nobility and of
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, during the times of the
Hussite Wars. A daughter of Oldřich II was Perchta of Rosenberg, who is identified with the Rosenbergs "
White Lady" ghost tales, and current residents of the area still report seeing Perchta's spirit around the castle. The decline of the House of Rosenberg began with
William and
Peter Vok, the sons of Jošt III, both being raised under the guardianship of their uncle, Peter V. William of Rosenberg is generally considered the most significant representative of the family, making the Český Krumlov area the centre of southern Bohemian cultural and political life. After William's death in 1592, his younger brother Peter Vok assumed the position of reigning lord. In 1601, he was forced to sell the Krumlov castle to
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. Peter Vok transferred his residence after the sale to
Třeboň, where he died in 1611. Peter Vok brought to a close the three-hundred-year-long reign of this illustrious dynasty. ==See also==