An Evening at the Luxembourg Embassy Dedicated to a Remarkable Medieval Ruler
On 13 May, a special evening was held at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Warsaw, dedicated to one of the most fascinating figures of European medieval history – John of Luxembourg. The occasion was the premiere of the second edition of Professor Wojciech Iwańczak’s book entitled “John of Luxembourg. The Turbulent Life and Heroic Death of the King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg in 21 Episodes”. The meeting brought together representatives of the academic world, diplomacy, and enthusiasts of Central European history.
The evening was opened by the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Poland, Peggy Frantzen, who underscored the exceptional role of John of Luxembourg in the history of Luxembourg and Europe. In her address, she recalled that for Luxembourgers, John remains not only a national hero, but also a symbol of courage, chivalry, and political ambition. H.E. the Ambassador also presented the profile of Professor Wojciech Iwańczak – an eminent historian of the medieval period, a member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vice-President of the Warsaw Scientific Society, and the author of many highly regarded publications devoted to the history of Central Europe. The conversation with the author was led by Dr Anna Pomiany of the University of Warsaw, who specialises in the history of medieval Italian cities.
The protagonist of the book himself proved to be an almost cinematic figure. John of Luxembourg, known as “John the Blind,” was King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, but above all a tireless knight and consummate player in the European politics of the fourteenth century. As Professor Iwańczak emphasised, he was a monarch who spent far more time on the road than at his own court. He fought in Italy, became embroiled in the conflicts of Central Europe, took part in campaigns against the Lithuanians, and maintained relations with the most important courts of his era. In the book, he emerges as a man full of contradictions – on one hand a courageous and admired knight, on the other a ruler of untamed temperament, ceaselessly seeking new political challenges. John of Luxembourg was also one of the most skilful and active diplomats of his time. Through marriages, alliances, and a carefully considered policy, he laid the foundations for the future power of the Luxembourg dynasty, whose greatest representative would later be his son – Emperor Charles IV.
Among the many anecdotes from John’s life recounted by Professor Iwańczak, the story of the monarch’s tragic death at the Battle of Crécy in 1346 attracted particular interest from the audience. John was by that time completely blind, yet despite his loss of sight he did not withdraw from the battle. According to medieval tradition, he ordered his horse to be tied to those of his knights and had himself led into the very heart of the fighting. This dramatic scene made him a legend of European chivalry and an enduring symbol of honour.
Professor Wojciech Iwańczak presented the figure of John of Luxembourg in an extraordinarily vivid and evocative manner, drawing on numerous anecdotes from the medieval monarch’s life that allowed the audience to be almost transported to the world of chivalric expeditions, political intrigues, and courtly life in fourteenth-century Europe. The book premiere became something more than a literary event. It was a story about Europe seven hundred years ago – a Europe full of dynastic alliances, great battles, diplomatic intrigues, and chivalric ideals. The evening at the Luxembourg Embassy demonstrated that the history of John of Luxembourg continues to inspire and remains an important part of our shared European heritage.
Ada Krzewicka
