The Blind Man Who Led a Cavalry Charge – It Ended as You Might Expect
John of Bohemia had strong ties to France. He was raised and educated in Paris, and was virtually French in his outlook and sympathies. He even sent his own son to be educated in Paris, rather than in his own Bohemian capital of Prague. When King Philip VI of France asked for his help against England’s King Edward III, John, despite his blindness, came to the French king’s aid. He met Philip in Paris in August, 1346, and marched off with him in pursuit of the English monarch. When the armies met at the Battle of Crecy, August 26th, 1346, John was in command of the French vanguard and a significant contingent of the French army.
The excitement, sounds, and scent of the battle must have awakened the old war dog in him. Despite his blindness, John ordered his retinue to tie their horses to his and ride into battle. He wanted to deliver at least one stroke of his sword against the English, and thus satisfy his honor by taking an actual part in the battle. His knights did as commanded. Tied to their horses, the blind king rode into the fight. It did not go well. John the Blind was, well… blind. He was unable to judge just how far he had gone, and plunged way too deep into the ranks of the English army. He was surrounded, cut off, and enveloped by the enemy. In the resultant melee, the blind king and all of his retinue were slaughtered.