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Lecture on King John of Bohemia and the Prince of Wales’ feathers at Luxembourg House
Dr Pit Péporté will be giving a lecture entitled “King John of Bohemia and the Prince of Wales’ feathers: looking behind the myth” on 26 April 2013 at Luxembourg House, 27 Wilton Crescent.
The Prince of Wales’ emblem contains three ostrich feathers and the motto “ich dien.” Legend has it that Edward, the Black Prince, took these symbols from King John of Bohemia at the battle of Crécy (1346) before passing them on to his successors. This talk will not only reveal that this story was entirely made up, but it will also enquire why it first emerged and has seemed credible ever since. Who was this King John of Bohemia? What was his link to Luxembourg? And why should it have been honourable to take his insignia?
Dr Pit Péporté is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Luxembourg. He holds three degrees, including his PhD, from the University of Edinburgh, and is currently a visiting scholar at the University of Sheffield. His publications include the two books “Inventing Luxembourg” (2010) and “Constructing the Middle Ages” (2011).