When the Germans launched their invasion of Czechoslovakia during World War II, it was thought that they would face little to no resistance. Yet, they encountered unexpected opposition from a single individual: Josef Mencik.
This confrontation was unusual and, in a way, momentarily stopped the German advance. Mencik’s resistance to the invasion was entirely in keeping with his character, and it led to him being called the “Last Knight.”
Details about Josef Mencik’s early life are a mystery
Very little is known about Josef Mencik’s life before the Second World War. His date of birth is contested, and the exact location it occurred is unknown. That being said, historians have been able to surmise he lived in the Böhmerwald region of Czechoslovakia. Mencik’s family lineage is also a mystery. Sourced records have been deemed unreliable, and some believe information that would reveal his ancestry is concealed in archives that protect those who were involved in World War II.
Mencik never shared his mother or father’s names, and he never disclosed if he had any siblings. What is known of his family later in life is that he had a wife, named Ema Mencikova, and two children. He became well-known in his community, and was dubbed the “Knight of Strakonice.”
Josef Mencik purchased a 14th-century castle
When Josef Mencik reached the point where he could afford his own home, he seized the opportunity by purchasing a 14th-century castle known as Dobrš Castle. This historic property had suffered extensive damage from severe rain and a fire that had ravaged the estate. Upon acquiring it, Mencik set about restoring Dobrš to its original splendor.
Over time, Mencik also built an impressive collection of antiques and curiosities from bygone eras. This passion led him to transform the castle into a quasi-museum, where he eagerly shared his knowledge of the region’s history with visitors. A blend of educator and performer, he has since come to represent the essence of living history.
Adopting a knightly lifestyle
Josef Mencik embraced an alternative lifestyle while living at Dobrš Castle. He quite literally lived like a knight from the Middle Ages, abandoning modern conveniences like cars and electricity, instead employing torches and candles to light his homestead. For lack of a better term, he lived chivalrously.
Despite his strange way of life, Mencik was respected in his community for being a generous and helpful person.
German soldiers versus Josef Mencik
The moment that cemented Josef Mencik into history was the day he decided to face the invading Wehrmacht by himself. In many instances, when the Germans wanted to invade a territory, they were met with retaliation from inhabitants. When they crossed the Czechoslovakian border in 1938, however, they were met by just one man: Mencik.
Mencik stood up against the advancing German column at the Buccina border, wearing a full French medieval-era suit of armor, riding horseback on his thoroughbred, and holding a sword and halberd. Some historians have called his defiance courageous, while others have referred to it as foolish. Either way, it initially prevented the German soldiers from advancing any further – if only for a moment.
The troops stood there in shock of the knight standing before them. This didn’t last long, however, as they ultimately decided to pay no mind to Mencik and continue past him. As they walked by, they tapped their helmets at him, suggesting he was crazy, and Mencik moved out of the way, unable to stop them.
Enduring legacy of the ‘Last Knight’
Josef Mencik’s stand against the Germans has become a tale of legend. While some equate him to a Czechoslovakian Don Quixote, others believe he was fully aware of the fact he wasn’t a real knight. Instead, it’s more likely that he idolized them and saw honor in standing up against the enemy while dressed as one.
Mencik likely never believed he could actually prevent the Germans from invading Czechoslovakia. He was, however, successful in preventing his castle from being overrun. While he was regarded as a non-issue by the Germans, the fact remains that they never technically defeated him.
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Following the end of the Second World War, Dobrš Castle became nationalized by the Communist government, and it remains open to the public. Mencik went on to live a long and chivalrous life until his death at the age of 78. His legacy continues to live on, and historians and scholars alike have studied his story.
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