ADALBERT, originally VOYTECH (c. 950-997), known as the apostle of the Prussians, the son of a Bohemian prince, was born at Libice (Lobnik, Lubik). He was educated at the mon astery of Magdeburg; and in 983 was chosen bishop of Prague. The extreme severity of his rule repelled the Bohemians, whom he vainly strove to wean from their national customs and pagan rites. Discouraged by ill success, he withdrew to Rome until 993, when, in obedience to the Pope, he returned to his own people. Finding little amendment, however, in their course of living, he re turned to Rome, and obtained permission from the Pope to devote himself to missionary labours in N. Germany and Poland. While preaching in Pomerania he was assassinated by a heathen priest.
See U. Chevalier, Repertoire des sources historiques du moyen age, Bio.-Bibl. (1905) ; Bolland, Acta Sanctorum, April 23; H. G. Voigt, Adalbert von Prag (1898), a thoroughly exhaustive monograph.