János Wass
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János Wass [pronunciation in IPA: ja:noʃ vɑʃ/English: yaanosh vosh] or "Prince" John (16th century) was an unlearnt bastard son of King Louis II Jagiellon, the ill-fated king, who died young and in misterious circumstances at the Battle of Mohács by a liaison with his mother's former Lady-in-waiting, Angelitha Wass.
[edit] Life
His and his mother's names appear in the sources of the Chamber in Vienna as either János Wass or János Lanthos which can refer to the fact that he used his mother's name first, then that of his 'job', 'lantos' that means 'lutanist, bard'. He often titled himself as Prince. He received regular subsidy from the court of King Ferdinand I of Germany, who was his uncle by his wife, Queen Anna Jagiellon, the sister of King Louis II and then of King Maximilian II, who was his cousin. From these financial backings he bought a house in Pozsony (now Bratislava), where he lived with family. He died there. He was never recognized officially as the son of the king.
[edit] Family
He had a long family, there was a rumour that a daughter of his gave birth to more than ten children and he demanded extra financial backings for his daughter's wedding. His and his children's existence means the survivorship of the House of Jagiellon.
[edit] References
- II. Lajos király természetes fia (A Natural Son of King Louis II Jagiellon), Századok (Periodical Centuries), 1903
- Tardy, Lajos: Rémmesék II. Lajos és „természetes” fia körül. (Blood-freezers about King Louis Jagiellon and his 'Natural' Son In: Uő.: Kis magyar történetek (Short Hungarian Stories), Budapest, 40–53, 1986
