Mikeš Pancír of Smojno

After a long period, of which we have no records, Mikeš Pancír of Smojno (which used to be a stronghold at Zákupy) came to Sloup in 1440. This famous warrior held the Fredevald Castle at Ceská Kamenice during the Hussite Wars from where he constantly gave information to the Lusatian towns. At the same time, he took advantage of the quiet period of war time for his own marauding expeditions against the Lusatians.

Therefore, it is no surprise that after 1433 he joined the powerful noble family of Vartenberk in their war against the Lusatian League. Together, they led their marauding expeditions into Lusatia: in 1411 they burned down the suburbs of the town of Zittau, in 1422 they plundered the region of Bautzen and in 1443 they declared war on the city of Prague. In 1444, the Lusatians organized an expedition against Vartenberks and Mike‘. The Sloup estate was damaged, however, they did not succeed to drive Mikeš away.

In the next year, Sloup became the target of another punitive expedition, in which the Lusatian League army unified with Litomerice “landfríd” (the regional army in charge of protecting land rights, buildings and inhabitants) under the direction of Jan Smirický. It is reported that they besieged Sloup for five weeks, damaged the castle and according to the concluded peace, without the King’s approval the Sloup castle could not be restored again. Mike‘ got monetary compensation of 72 three-scores Groschen which was paid equally by every town of the Lusatian League. However, it is claimed that the fortress was soon restored.

Therefore, it is no surprise that after 1433 he joined the powerful noble family of Vartenberk in their war against the Lusatian League. Together, they led their marauding expeditions into Lusatia: in 1411 they burned down the suburbs of the town of Zittau, in 1422 they plundered the region of Bautzen and in 1443 they declared war on the city of Prague. In 1444, the Lusatians organized an expedition against Vartenberks and Mikeš. The Sloup estate was damaged, however, they did not succeed to drive Mike‘ away.