Some historical facts about the Dry Devil
Maybe someone will find this useful for their creative work.
Before we start, I want to apologize in advance for any mistakes — English is not my native language. I will also be using Czech names without English adaptation (except for the game ones), since I don’t feel confident enough to adapt them properly. So, let’s begin.
— The father of the Dry Devil was Sezema II of Kunštát and Jevišovice, and his mother’s name was Eliška. Her origin is still debated among historians, but it is certain that she came from a very wealthy family, as indicated by her dowry. It is quite possible that she belonged to the Lords of Lipá, which would make the Dry Devil and Hans Capon relatively close relatives.
— His father, Sezema, was the burgrave of the royal castle of Vranov, meaning he was a respected and high-ranking figure. He was probably about 30 years older than his wife.
— The Dry Devil had an older brother, Jindřich of Kunštát and Jevišovice (a namesake of our Henry). Like his brother, he had a rather grim nickname — Zajímač. This nickname suggests that during the Margrave Wars he made a living by capturing people for ransom. Jindřich was executed in Brno in 1409. According to another version, he died on the way to his execution, as the transport took place in winter.
— The Dry Devil was married to Anežka z Deblína. His sons are mentioned in the records of 1390, but after that they disappear from the sources. Anežka died in 1398, and the sons are absent from the documents related to her inheritance, which suggests they died sometime between 1390 and 1398.
— The lands Hynek was supposed to inherit from his late wife were taken by Jobst. So his rather aggressive reaction to Jobst in KCD 2 (if you ask around in Suchdol, you can hear that Hynek tried to punch him) is actually quite fitting. Especially considering that Hynek had also fought against Jobst during the Margrave Wars. In short — they were definitely not friends.
— After 1401, Hynek lived at Rabštejn Castle. This is not the Rabštejn we see in the game — his castle was located near the village of Dukovany. Today, only a small fragment of Rabštejn's castle walls and foundations has survived. The place itself is very beautiful — Czech nature is amazing.
— Rabštejn was granted to Hynek by Margrave Prokop, most likely as a reward for the bold capture of Znojmo.
— By Prokop’s appointment, Hynek served as governor of Znojmo from 1401 to 1405. It’s a pity that at Semine’s wedding in the game you can’t ask Jurko (who is from Znojmo) what he thinks about the new governor.
— The close friendship with Jan Žižka shown in the game is not really accurate. In reality, Hynek’s closest ally was more likely Jan Sokol of Lamberk.
— The most important event in the Dry Devil’s life happened after the events of KCD 2. A combined Austro-Hungarian army of up to 20,000 men, led by Sigismund and Duke Albrecht IV, laid siege to Znojmo. Meanwhile, the garrison of the Dry Devil and the reinforcements led by Jan Sokol probably numbered only a few hundred. Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority, the besieging army was defeated — largely due to a devastating outbreak of dysentery and the aggressive sorties carried out by Hynek and Sokol, which destroyed much of the enemy’s siege equipment. Albrecht IV died of the disease. Ironically, many years later his son, Albrecht V, would take part in the campaign against Jevišovice in 1421, when the town was burned and the family castle destroyed.
— While the Dry Devil was away, Znojmo was taken by Jobst. The townspeople, exhausted by Hynek’s rule, opened the gates to him.
— The Dry Devil was deeply in debt — basically to all of Moravia. Seriously, he even owed money to King Wenceslas IV. Though not for long — Wenceslas had him imprisoned for it.
— After a prolonged illness, the Dry Devil died in 1408 at Rabštejn Castle.
— And if you were ever curious what his handwriting looked like — here it is. Big thanks to @emaralez for finding it.
Miroslav Plaček, Peter Futák: Páni z Kunštátu. Rod erbu vrchních pruhů na cestě k trůnu.
Miroslav Plaček: Jevišovické hrady do konce 15. století.
Peter Futák: Páni z Kunštátu jako organizátoři bojových družin a pozdější husité.
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