JOHN OF LUXEMBURG (1296-1346). King of Bohemia. His father, the German Em peror Henry VII. (Count of Luxemburg). se cured for him the hand of Elizabeth, daughter of Wenceslas of Bohemia, and in 1310 he was chosen King of that country. After his father's death, which occurred three years later, he hoped to be elected Emperor. but finding that his youth was regarded as an insuperable obstacle, he threw all his influence on the side of Louis the Bavarian and against the Haps burg candidate. Through the favor of the new Emperor he was able to add considerably to his kingdom, and so laid the foundations of that great German-Slavic dominion over which his son, Emperor Charles IV.. was to rule. His reign began auspiciously, but was soon disturbed by internal discord, which had its origin in the race hatred of the Germans and the Czechs; and as John. not a great ruler in any ease. spent much of his time away from Bohemia waging wars in the interest of Louis, of his native Luxemburg. and of the Teutonic knights. or squandering his kingdom's revenues at the gay Court of France. affairs at home, left to the management of deputies. went from bad to worse.
So greatly did the feeling of his subjects toward him change during these years that when, in 1339. he became totally blind, the same Bohe mians who had welcomed his accession with extravagant demonstrations of joy now felt he was justly punished by God. Other misfortunes overtook him also. His second son. John Frederick. who had married Margaret. famous as Margaret Maultasch, Countess of Tyrol. was discarded by his wife, who thereupon married the Emperor's son. This and John's growing in timacy with the King of France, whose Papal probSge at Avignon had always opposed Louis's claims. led to a rupture between him and the Emperor. In 1346 he accompanied Philip VI. of France in his disastrous campaign against the English. and at the battle of Crt:Icy, guided by a knight nn either side, forced his way into the thick of the fight, and there was killed. It was at this battle that Edward the Black Prince won his spurs, and afterwards lie adopted the Bohemian King's insignia, three ostrich plumes, and the motto •lch dien,' which ever since have been borne by the princes of Wales.