The Martyrdom of St. Ludmilla, 1864 (oil on canvas)

Saint Ludmila (c.860–921) was a tenth century Slavonian princess who married the Duke of Bohemia, Boizlvoi. In her widowhood she was converted to Christianity by St. Adalbert of Prague. Revered for her charity and goodness she was universally loved. Grandmother to Prince Wenceslas later called “Good King Wenceslas” she carefully watched over his education. After the death of Ludmilla’s son Wraitislaus his wife Drahomira wanted to control Bohemia, and jealous of Ludmilla’s influence over her son Wenceslas hired assassins. The assassins strangled Ludmilla with her own veil while praying in her private oratory.