János Wass


János Wass, or "Prince" John, was an illegitimate son of King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia, the ill-fated king, who died young and in mysterious circumstances at the Battle of Mohács by a liaison with his mother, Anne of Foix-Candale's former lady's maid, Angelitha Wass.

Life

His and his mother's names appear in the sources of the Chamber in Pozsony 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, where he lived with family. He died there. He was never recognized officially as the son of the king.

Family

He had a long family, there was a rumour that a daughter of his gave birth to 20 children and he demanded extra financial backings for his daughter's wedding.