Hussite Wars

The Hussite Wars involved the military actions against and amongst the followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia in the period 1420 to circa 1434. The Hussite Wars were arguably the first European war in which hand-held gunpowder weapons such as muskets made a decisive contribution. Light cannons were also used, especially by the Hussites who used them masterfully in defensive positions.

Origins

The Hussite movement assumed a revolutionary character as soon as the news of the death of Hus (6 July 1415) reached Prague. The knights and nobles of Bohemia and Moravia, who were in favour of church reform, sent to the council at Constance (2 September 1415) a protest, known as the protestatio Bohemorum, which condemned the execution of Hus in the strongest language. The attitude of Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, who sent threatening letters to Bohemia declaring that he would shortly drown all Wycliffites and Hussites, greatly incensed the people.

Related Topics:
Hussite - 6 July - 1415 - Prague - Bohemia - Moravia - Council at Constance - 2 September - Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor - Wycliffites

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Troubles broke out in various parts of Bohemia, and drove many Romanist priests from their parishes. Almost from the first the Hussites divided into two sections, though many minor divisions also arose among them. Shortly before his death Hus had accepted a doctrine preached during his absence by his adherents at Prague, namely that of Utraquism, or the obligation of the faithful to receive communion in both kinds (sub utraque specie). This doctrine became the watchword of the moderate Hussites known as the Utraquists or Calixtines, from the Latin calix (the chalice), in Czech kališníci (from kalich); while the more extreme Hussites soon became known as the Orphans (sirotci) or Taborites (táborité), from the city of Tábor that became their centre.

Related Topics:
Hussites - Utraquists - Latin - Czech - Orphans - Taborites - Tábor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Under the influence of his brother Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia endeavoured to stem the Hussite movement. A certain number of Hussites led by Nicolas of Hus — no relation of Jan Hus — left Prague. They held meetings in various parts of Bohemia, particularly at Usti, near the spot where the town of Tábor was founded soon afterwards. At these meetings they violently denounced Sigismund, and the people everywhere prepared for war.

Related Topics:
Holy Roman Emperor - Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia - Nicolas of Hus - Usti - Tábor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In spite of the departure of many prominent Hussites the troubles at Prague continued. On 30 July 1419, when a Hussite procession headed by the priest Jan Zelivsky marched through the streets of Prague, anti-Hussites threw stones at the Hussites from the windows of the town-hall of the ‘new town.’ The people, headed by Jan Zizka, threw the burgomaster and several town-councillors, who had instigated this outrage, from the windows (the first "Defenestration of Prague"), whereupon the crowd killed them immediately. On hearing this news King Wenceslaus succumbed to an apoplectic fit, and died a few days afterwards (16 August 1419).

Related Topics:
30 July - 1419 - Jan Zelivsky - Jan Zizka - Defenestration of Prague - Apoplectic - 16 August

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~