Lobkowicz family

The Lobkowicz family (Lobkovic in modern Czech, plural Lobkovicové; Lobkowitz in German) is one of the oldest still existing Bohemian noble families dating back to the 14th century. First Lobkowiczs were mentioned as members of the gentry of north-eastern Bohemia. Mikuláš Chudý ("the Poor") z Újezda (later z Lobkovic) was an important politician of the 15th century. Bohuslav Hasištejnský z Lobkovic was an essayist and poet. His brother Jan Hasištejnský z Lobkovic was a diplomat and pilgrim to the Holy Land. Zdeněk Vojtěch Popel z Lobkowic was the head of the Catholic Party in early 17th century Bohemia and received Imperial as well as Bohemian princely title in 1620s. Jiří Kristián z Lobkowicz was a Bohemian politician and head of Bohemian Diet in the late 19th century.

In 1918/1919 both Austria and Czechoslovakia abolished nobility including its titles and other prerogatives.

Today, there are four main branches of family: the Roudnice Lobkowiczs, the Křimice Lobkowiczs, the Dolni Beřkovice Lobkowiczs, and the Mělník Lobkowiczs.

Well-known Lobkowiczs of today are:

• Michal Lobkowicz, MP 1992-2002, 1997-1998 Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic
• Jaroslav Lobkowicz, MP 1998-2006, head of Křimice branch and the whole family (who would be the "Duke of Roudnice" bar abolition of nobility)
• František Václav Lobkowicz, O.Praem., Bishop of Ostrava and Opava
• Jiří Lobkowicz, businessman and politician, head of Mělník branch
• Prince Edouard Lobkowicz, businessman, in charge of charities of the Papal Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Lebanon, married to Princess Françoise of Bourbon-Parma.

Historically, the best known member of the Lobkowicz family is probably Joseph Franz Maximilian Lobkowicz (1772-1816), the patron of Beethoven. He was the dedicatee of some of the composer's greatest works, including the 3rd, 5th, and 6th symphonies and the Opus 18 string quartets.

External links

• the Roudnice Lobkowiczs
• the Křimice Lobkowiczs
• the Mělník Lobkowiczs
• Michal Lobkowicz
• Jaroslav Lobkowicz
• František Václav Lobkowicz
• Association Malte Liban