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John IV, Duke of Krnov

1440 – 1483

Duke of Krnov and Wodzisław Śląski

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About John IV, Duke of Krnov

Lived 1440 – 1483 (aged 42–43).

John IV, Duke of Krnov (also known as John IV of Opava-Racibórz or John the Elder; ; or ; –1483 in Wodzisław Śląski) was a member of the Opavian branch of the Bohemian Přemyslid dynasty. He was Duke of Krnov from 1452 to 1474 and Duke of Wodzisław Śląski from 1464 until his death.

Life John IV was the elder son of Duke Nicholas V of Krnov and his wife, Margaret Clemm of Ellguth. John IV and his younger brother Wenceslaus III were still minors when their father died in 1452. Their step-mother, Barbara Rockemberg and their uncle Wenceslaus II (d. 1456) took up the regency. After the brother came of age, they initially ruled their inheritance jointly. However, in 1464, the inheritance was divided. John IV received Krnov, Bruntál, and Wodzisław Śląski; Wenceslaus III received Rybnik, Żory and Pszczyna.

During the war between Bohemia and Hungary for supremacy in Bohemia, John IV supported the Bohemian King, George of Poděbrady, in 1469, and after George's death, his successor Vladislaus II. Because of this, King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary took John IV prisoner in 1474 and forced him to cede Krnov. john IV retained Wodzisław Śląski, where he died in 1483.

John's sister Barbara (d. 1510), who had married Duke Jan IV of Oświęcim in 1475, objected to Matthias Corvinus and his administration. This was probably the reason why he styled John's widow as Lady of Wodzisław Śląski, Rybnik and Żory After Matthis Corvinus died in 1490, Barbara styled herself as Lady of Krnov.

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Important facts

Born
1440
Birth century
Died
1483, Wodzisław Śląski
Also known as
John IV of Opava-Racibórz, John the Elder, John IV of Opava-Raciborz

Family & relationships

Parent
Nicholas V, Duke of Krnov

People in John IV, Duke of Krnov's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John IV, Duke of Krnov's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John IV, Duke of Krnov?

Duke of Krnov and Wodzisław Śląski

When was John IV, Duke of Krnov born?

John IV, Duke of Krnov was born in 1440.

When did John IV, Duke of Krnov die?

John IV, Duke of Krnov died in 1483 in Wodzisław Śląski.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John IV, Duke of Krnov

· Wikidata: Q481533

· DBpedia: John IV, Duke of Krnov

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John IV, Duke of Krnov. https://biography.guide/john-iv-duke-of-krnov/

MLA: "John IV, Duke of Krnov." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-iv-duke-of-krnov/.

Chicago: "John IV, Duke of Krnov." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-iv-duke-of-krnov/.

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