William Zajíc of Valdek and Židlochovice explained

William Zajíc of Valdek and Židlochovice
Lord of Židlochovice
Governor of Luxembourg
More:no
Spouse:Dorota of Rabštejn
Spouse-Type:Wife
Native Name:Vilém Zajíc z Valdeka na Židlochovicích
Father:Zbyněk Zajíc
Mother:Kateřina of Litomyšl
Death Date:1 November 1420

William Zajíc of Valdek and Židlochovice (died 1 November 1420) was a Bohemian nobleman and politician.

Biography

William Zajíc began his career as a wage mercenary in the service Jobst of Moravia, the Margrave of Moravia. In 1399, he was recruited by Prokop of Moravia to fight against Jobst in the Moravian Margrave Wars. After the war, William Zajíc re-entered the service of Jobst, this time in a diplomatic position.

In 1403, William Zajíc made a pilgrimage to Rome, and in 1405, a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. In 1407, Margrave Jobst granted him Židlochovice. He was then sent on a diplomatic mission to France. At the very end of 1407, Jobst appointed him governor of the Duchy of Luxembourg. William Zajíc participated in diplomatic negotiations in Prague at the court of Wenceslas IV. He also participated in meetings of provincial courts in Prague, Brno and Olomouc.

After the death of Margrave Jobst in 1411, William Zajíc entered the service of King Wenceslas IV. Dissatisfied, he left Wenceslas and was appointed court councilor to Sigismund of Luxembourg in 1412. In 1414, William Zajíc was sent to negotiate with Jan Hus in Konstanz. At the end of 1417, he returned to Moravia, where he participated in a session of the provincial courts. He again entered Sigismund's service in 1418 and was granted the castle of . In 1419, he purchased the village and castle of Nosislav.

In 1420, William Zajíc took part in Sigismund's campaign in Bohemia and the siege of Prague before the Battle of Vítkov Hill. On 1 November 1420, together with other Moravian lords, he took part in the Battle of Vyšehrad, where he was killed in action. He died without male descendants.[1]

In popular culture

Hanekin Hare, a character in the 2018 video game , is based on William.[2]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zajíc . Petr . Zajícové z Valdeka na Moravě . Masarykova univerzita, Filozofická fakulta . 11 March 2021 . 2008.
  2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance . Warhorse Studios . Deep Silver . February 13, 2018 . Codex . Sheep in Wolf's Clothing. William Zajíc ('Hare') of Valdex and Źidlichovice, son of Sbinco (Zybněk) Zajíc and Katherine of Litomyšl..