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Jan Jiskra z Brandýsa (Template:Lang-de; Template:Lang-hu; c. 1400 – c. 1469), in English sometimes referred as John Giskra, was a Czech strategist and mercenary soldier.

Early life

Jan Jiskra came from the Moravian branch of the noble family Páni z Brandýsa (Lords of Brandýs), he was possibly a son of Alšík z Brandýsa.

Jiskra spent his youth in Bohemia and partially also in Italy, where he – according to several sources – attended the battles of the Republic of Venice. In the Czech lands he became familiar with Hussite war strategies. Following the Battle of Lipany Jiskra, together with other Hussite soldiers, joined the army of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg and fought with Turkish troops in the region of Belgrade.

In the Service of Elizabeth of Luxembourg

In his young age he was soldiering in several european countries, including Italy. He ended up in Hungary in the service of King Sigismund of Hungary and he continued to serve Sigismund's successor King Albert. Albert's widow, Elizabeth of Luxembourg after the coronation of his son, Ladislaus the Posthumous at Székesfehérvár went to Győr in May 1440 and summoned Jiskra and his Czech mercenaries there as well. From there Jiskra accompanied the King, his mother and the Holy Crown of Hungary to Pozsony (Bratislava). After this Jiskra, who was bestowed upon by the queen dowager with the High Captaincy of the mining towns of Upper Hungary and Kassa (Košice) as well as Zólyom Castle (Pustý hrad) remained a supporter of the young Ladislaus V against King Władysław III of Poland and the estates of Hungary. Using Hussite tactics he occupied Lőcse (Levoca), Bártfa (Bardejov), Körmöcbánya (Kremnica), Selmecbánya (Banská Štiavnica), Eperjes (Presov), Késmárk (Kežmarok) in a short time. He minted coins in the name of King Ladislaus, and successfully interrupted Wladyslaw's line of communication with Poland. His men built small castles all over Upper Hungary which were served as a protection of the countryside and checked the enemy's movements. He imposed taxes and tributes on the peasants and settled Czech and Moravian artisans at the newly built castles. In the life of Elizabeth of Luxembourg, Jiskra successfully defended Upper Hungary against the attacks of Wladyslaw and his allies, John and Nicolaus Perényi.

The lord of Upper Hungary

After the death of Elizabeth, who was willing to make peace with Wladyslaw, Jiskra remained on the hereditary king's side and made a pact with the occupied cities to secure Ladislaus' rule. In order to make peace Jiskra was invited by Wladyslaw to the Diet of April 1444 along with other supporters of Ladislaus. At the diet he defended Ladislaus' cause with such vehemency, that his violent behavior almost caused his death. Wladyslaw saved his life when he helped escape the disguised Jiskra to Győr, from where he went to Vienna to the court of Frederick III, to visit Ladislaus. He was elected a High Captain of Upper Hungary in 1445 for his part in the making of a Polish-Hungarian truce after the death of Wladyslaw and he kept this title after the office itself abolished in the next year. Meanwhile, his Czech mercenaries who called themselves "Brothers" was not obeying Jiskra orders and was marauding in Szepes County and Sáros County and was forcing Catholic priests to Hussite rituals. The Diet of 1449 decided that these Czechs should be attacked. After some unsuccessfull minor skirmishes, the Regent, John Hunyadi himself marched into battle against Jiskra. The result was his campaign was a truce at Mezőkövesd in March 1450. Kassa, Lőcse, Eperjes, Bártfa, Körmöcbány, Selmecbánya and Zólyom remained in Jiskra possession and several smaller czech bands left the country. Later, despite the truce Jiskra refused to recognize the authority of the Regent and continued to mint money and award privileges. He called another Hussite bands in the country and fortified a monastry at Losonc (Lucenec) and marauding the countryside from there. He defeated Hunyadi and conquered the most of Upper Hungary with the notable exception of Eger. He was defeated again after Hunyadi renewed his campaign against him and forced to take an oath of allegiance to the crown. He was convicted again when he did not attend the Diet of 1452. His properities were confiscated. Kassa, Lőcse and Bártfa was given to Ulrich II, Count of Celje. Shortly after Jiskra left the country.

References

• Václav Chaloupecký: Jiskra z Brandýsa: Tvůrcové dějin 2, Prag 1934
• Jan Jiskra z Brandýsa a politický zápas Habsburků s Jagellovci o Uhry v letech 1440–42: Historické štúdie 3, Bratislava 1957

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