A Heroic King’s Dramatic Demise
King John of Bohemia (1296 – 1346) became known as John the Blind after he lost his eyesight ten years before his death. One of the most celebrated warriors of his era, he campaigned and fought across Europe from the Mediterranean to the Baltic. Unfortunately, he is better known to history for his dramatic demise than for lifetime of accomplishments. His career as a ruler began in 1309 when his father, Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII, made him Count of Luxemburg. When his father died in 1313, John was too young to inherit his throne. So he threw his support to Louis the Bavarian, who became Emperor Louis IV in 1314. An early supporter of the Emperor, John fell out with Louis IV after the latter sided with England against France in the Hundred Years War.
When John’s father in law, the king of Bohemia, died without male heirs, John inherited that realm through his wife and became king of Bohemia from 1310 until his death. During his reign, John did a lot of fighting. He fought against Hungary, Austria, England, and the Russians. John campaigned in the Tyrol and northern Italy, and expanded his domain with the acquisition of Silesia, parts of Lusatia, and most of Lombardy. He lost his eyesight from opthalmia in 1336 while he campaigned against the pagan Lithuanians. Any popularity he might have gained at home from his conquests and military prowess was offset, however, by heavy taxation to pay for his lavish expenses.