Battle at Brdek

The Battle of Brůdek occurred on August 22/23, 1040, between Henry III, King of the Romans, and Břetislav I, Duke of Bohemia, in the Upper Palatine Forest near Domažlice District, Czech Republic. Břetislav had campaigned against Poland in 1039, capturing Gniezno and transferring relics of Adalbert of Prague to Prague to establish an independent archbishopric, which upset Archbishop Bardo of Mainz. Henry III, displeased with Břetislav's actions and refusal to pay tribute, launched two armies against Bohemia.

Břetislav gained support from Peter, King of Hungary, who sent 3,000 troops, and fortified the Bohemian Forest passes, planning an ambush. Henry divided his forces, sending a vanguard led by Werner I of Maden into a side valley, where they were nearly destroyed. The next day, Margrave Otto of Schweinfurt's wing retreated with heavy losses, forcing Henry to retreat. He ordered Eckard II of Meissen to withdraw as well.

Henry requested a truce but was denied and unconditional surrender demanded. He planned a second campaign for 1041, which succeeded when he met Saxon forces near Prague on September 8, leading Břetislav to surrender on September 29. Henry founded Stockau Abbey in 1041, with an inscription at Valtířov noting his role. A chapel in Brůdek, built by Břetislav in 1047, was later rebuilt in the 14th century and again in 1669–71.