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 (Mährisch Neustadt) 1213 Bruntál (Freudenthal) 1223 Opava (Troppau) vor 1224 Hradec Králové (Königgrätz) 1225 Znojmo (Znaim) 1226 Jemnice (Jamnitz) etwa 1227 Hodonín (Göding) etwa 1228 Litoměřice (Leitmeritz) 1228–1230 Bzenec (Bisenz) 1231 Staré Město (Prager Altstadt) 1235–1245 Brno (Brünn) 1238, 1240 Stříbro (Mies) 1240 Loket (Elbogen) 1240–1253 Žatec (Saaz) 1265 Přerov (Prerau) 1252 Olomouc (Ölmütz) 1253 Jihlava (Iglau) 1253 Písek (Pisek) 1256 Kolín (Kolin, also known as Cologne on the Elbe) 1253–1261 Kouřim (Gurim, older: Kaurzim) 1253–1261 Tachov (Tachau) 1253–1278 Most (Brüx) before 1257 Uherské Hradiště (Ungarisch Hradisch) 1257 Čáslav (Tschaslau) c. 1260 Chrudim (–) c. 1260 Klatovy (Klattau) before 1260 Vysoké Mýto (Hohenmauth) c. 1260 Ústí nad Labem (Aussig) c. 1260 Louny (Laun) after 1260 Kadaň (Kaaden) before 1261 Domažlice (Taus) c. 1262 České Budějovice (Böhmisch Budweis) 1265 Polička (Politschka) 1265 Chotěboř (Chotieborsch) 1265–1278 Ostrov nad Ohří (Schlackenwerth) 1269 Litovel (Littau) 1270 Uherský Brod (Ungarisch Brod) 1272 Sušice (Schüttenhofen) 1273? Nymburk (Nimburg, also known as Neuenburg on the Elbe) 1275 Dvůr Králové (Königinhof on the Elbe) 1253–1278 and after 1399 Jaroměř (Jermer) 1253–1278 Mělník (Melnik) 1253–1274 Kutná Hora (Kuttenberg) vor 1276 Plzeň (Pilsen) 1295 Nový Bydžov (Neubidschow) 1305–1325 Vodňany (Wodnian) 1337 Pražské Nové Město (Prager Neustadt) 1348 Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) 1370 Trutnov (Trautenau) 1399 Nový Knín (Neuknin) 1437 Velvary (Welwarn) 1482 Kyjov (Gaya) 1548 Beroun (Beraun) Slaný (Schlan) Hlivice (Gleiwitz) Ivančice (Eibenschütz) Kozlí (Cosel) Opolí (Oppeln) Pohořelice (Pohrlitz) Prudník (Neustadt) Ratiboř (Ratibor) Žárov (Sohrau)
External links Website of dowry towns