John the Blind or John of Luxembourg, was the Count of Luxembourg from 1313 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of Poland. He is well known for having died while fighting in the Battle of Crécy at age 50, after having been blind for a decade. In his home country of Luxembourg, he is considered a national hero. Comparatively, in the Czech Republic, Jan Lucemburský is often recognized for his role as the father of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, one of the more significant Kings of Bohemia and one of the leading Holy Roman Emperors.
14th-century bust of John of Bohemia, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague with the coat of arms of Bohemia and Luxembourg
John's wedding to Elisabeth of Bohemia at Speyer
Seal of John of Bohemia. The Latin inscription on the border of the seal reads: iohannes dei grat boemie et pol rex lvcembvrg comes
Lands ruled by John of Bohemia (bold borders) compared to the First Czechoslovak Republic (grey).
The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. The French attacked the English while they were traversing northern France during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in an English victory and heavy loss of life among the French.
The Battle of Crécy, from a 15th-century illuminated manuscript of Jean Froissart's Chronicles
Edward III of England
Philip VI of France
Depiction of an English bombard as used at the Battle of Crécy
