Abstract
This contribution aims to highlight hagiographic works by the Czech Jesuits F. Kadlinský and J.
Tanner, in paticular Tanner's Latin Trophaea sancti Wenceslai (1661) and Kadlinský's Czech version Život a sláva sv. Vácslava (1669, 1702, 1710).
Obviously, Kadlinský's version is much more than a translation. It is a unique legand, as documented, e. g. by Kadlinský's rendering of the motif of glory.
Probably inspired by the exemple of other Czech Jesuit legend from the 17th century, he made it a central motif in his text. The comparative analysis of the texts focuses on those textual aspects and strategies that strive to establish a collective identity and memory by the narrative on St.
Wenceslaus; the goal is tu construe the impression that the cult of St. Wenceslaus has an ancient origin, shows cultural continuity, and has as its moving force Czech society.
The paper focuses on analysing Tanner's and Kadlinský's texts as a means of Czech society's self-presentation and as a tool for strengthening the prestige of Czech, both within the Habsburg Empire and in a European context.