One way to read Czech history is as an attempt to craft an independent, cohesive nation-state while being buffeted by large external forces (Germans, Russians/Slavs, the Holy Roman Empire, The Hapsburgs). Language is a powerful way to create unity. From 1817-19, several historical texts written in Czech and describing epic Slavic history were “discovered.” Over the next 70 years, these texts (known as the RKZ) became powerful fodder for creating a uniquely Czech national history.

Turns out they were fakes. Slavic Professor David Cooper has an interesting article on one of my favorite topics — authorship — in the context of these texts.