He was also called Roland, after the popular hero of medieval knightly legends that were told throughout Europe. Similar columns with knights can be found in other European cities, where they were originally erected as a sign of the authority of the city council. However, Bruncvík from Charles Bridge also has a lion crouching at his feet, and from there it was only a short step to the legend of how the fearless Prince Bruncvík earned the image of a lion on the coat of arms of the Czech kingdom. Bruncvík | Source: Prague City Tourism In ancient times, Prince Štilfríd ruled the Czech lands, and his coat of arms featured an ordinary iron cauldron. He longed for a more noble coat of arms, so he set out into the world and, through his bravery in the service of the King of Naples, earned himself a coat of arms featuring a black eagle on a golden field. His son, Knight Bruncvík, who became ruler after his father’s death, decided that he wanted an even more noble symbol on his coat of arms. He set off on his own travels, passed through many wondrous lands and sailed the seas, until he saw a seven-headed dragon wrestling with a lion among rugged cliffs. As the lion grew weaker in the fight, Bruncvík joined his side and killed the dragon. The grateful lion then accompanied him on his travels. In the kingdom of King Olibrius, Bruncvík obtained a magical sword, with which he then defeated all his enemies. As soon as he said “Off with their heads!” the heads of his enemies would immediately roll across the ground. With his magical sword and a lion by his side, the brave Bruncvík returned to Prague and declared a silver lion on a red field to be the new emblem of the Czech kingdom. Bruncvík’s miraculous sword is said to be walled up somewhere in one of the pillars of Charles Bridge. When the Czech lands are at their worst, the knights sleeping in Blaník Mountain will awaken and come to Prague’s aid. Prince Wenceslas will lead them on a white horse, and as he rides across Charles Bridge with his army, the horse will stumble and the miraculous sword will spring from the ground straight into the prince’s hand. The Blaník army will then defeat the enemy with ease, and all will be well in Bohemia once more. Based on the book 77 pražských legend by Alena Ježková (77 Prague Legends).