King John oif Bohemia

[Modus]

Ok, ok. So the topic description was a bit corny. I digress.

I've been enjoying some newfound free time with extensive reading here and there, and was wondering if anyone knew of any good texts regarding this man's life. I've found limited snippets online regarding his exploits, and have since only become more interested.

Its amazing how history is like an onion, with many terrible, tear-causing layers that also can add amazing flavor. Or something.

But either way - Upon recently finding out the that the traditional emblem of the Prince of Wales (three Ostrich feathers) was originally taken as a tribute to this man has just floored me - the ostrich feathers can be seen so many other places and in other time periods, that the origin and lineage are just remarkable.

In short, any thoughts or directions would be greatly appreciated.

[Tribesman]

Strange symbol for Wales , not many ostriches live there http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

I'm not sure if it was a tribute but may well have been. His charge at crecy with his Czech retainers was incredibley brave. He lost the use of his eyes in battle in bohemian wars and took part in lithuanian crusades with the Teutonic Knights.

[Modus]

See, that's something I'm curious about. There are other members of his family who were blind - I'm curious if the malady was not a hereditary thing... If I find the link, I'll dig it up - something I stumbled upon last night showing more than ancestors on his father's side, if I remember right.

His motto - Ich Dien was taken by Edward, Prince of Wales, as well as the plumage. The feathers were still used as the symbol of the Prince of Wales during the Napoleonic Wars, as is shown by the Prince of Wale's own regiment of foot, if I am not mistaken. Some Napoleonophile should be able to confirm this.

[Somebody Else]

Quote[/b] (Modus @ Mar. 01 2004,08:42)]The feathers were still used as the symbol of the Prince of Wales during the Napoleonic Wars, as is shown by the Prince of Wale's own regiment of foot, if I am not mistaken. Some Napoleonophile should be able to confirm this.
The pistol shooting society here at Oxford, alone amongst the Oxford societies, has the three feathers on its crest.


Quote[/b] ]Every other University Club bears the three crowns of the University Crest: what makes OUPC different? In order to answer this, we need to go back in to history. The Oxford University Rifle Volunteers was officially enrolled on 8 August 1859. The newly mustered corps was reviewed on Cowley Marsh by the Prince of Wales, who gave the right to bear his feathers, which OUPC still wear. These feathers serve as a reminder that the OUPC (and the OURC) are the successors to OURV, along with the Oxford University Officers Training Corps; which was evolved out of the OURV under the Haldane reforms of 1908, when all the Rifle Volunteers were formed into the Territorial Army.

There's my random snippet of the day.