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62-590: Bohemia & Moravia : Hussite movement (1419–20) Hussite Bohemia (1420–23) Moravian Hussites Radical Hussite faction (1423–34) Allies: Lithuania Supported by: Poland Polish–Hussite invasion of Prussia (1433) : Poland Pomerania-Stolp Orphans as mercenaries Crusaders and Catholic loyalists: Hungary - Croatia Holy Roman Empire (also German Kingdom ) Teutonic Order Order of Rhodes Papal States England Serbia Poland Allies: Moderate Hussite faction (since 1423) Allies of

124-546: A demagogue , the priest Jan Želivský , for a time obtained almost unlimited authority over the lower classes of the townsmen, and at Tábor, a religious communistic movement (that of the so-called Adamites ) was sternly suppressed by Žižka. Shortly afterwards, a new crusade against the Hussites was undertaken. A large German army entered Bohemia and in August 1421 laid siege to the town of Žatec . After an unsuccessful attempt of storming

186-692: A chieftain named Čech . The first Western Slavs came in the second half of the 6th century. In the course of the decline of the Great Moravian realm during the Hungarian invasions of Europe in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Czech Přemyslid dynasty established the Duchy of Bohemia . Backed by the East Frankish kings, they prevailed against the reluctant Bohemian nobility and extended their rule eastwards over

248-554: A historical context, Czech texts use the term to refer to any territory ruled by the Kings of Bohemia , i.e., the lands of the Bohemian Crown ( země Koruny české ) as established by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century. This includes territories like the Lusatias (which in 1635 fell to Saxony ) and the whole of Silesia , which at the time were all ruled from Prague Castle . Since

310-603: A matter of course throughout the war as well as after its end in 1434. The word used for one type of handheld firearm used by the Hussites, Czech : píšťala , later found its way through German and French into English as the term " pistol ". The name of a cannon used by the Hussites, the Czech : houfnice , gave rise to the English term, " howitzer " ( houf meaning "crowd" for its intended use of shooting stone and iron shots against mass enemy forces). Other types of firearms commonly used by

372-529: A month later during the Battle of Kutná Hora . Žižka positioned his forces between the town of Kutná Hora, which pledged allegiance to the Hussite cause, and the main camp of the enemy, leaving supplies in the well-defended town. However uprising of ethnic German townsmen led the town into Crusader's control. Late in the night between 21 and 22 December 1421, Žižka ordered an attack against the enemy's main camp. The attack

434-703: A reformist Christian movement, that communion under both kinds (both bread and wine, as opposed to the bread alone) should be administered to the laity during the celebration of the Eucharist . It was a principal dogma of the Hussites and one of the Four Articles of Prague . After the Hussite movement split into various factions early in the Hussite Wars , Hussites that emphasized the laity's right to communion under both kinds became known as Moderate Hussites, Utraquist Hussites, or simply Utraquists. The Utraquists were

496-659: A safe-conduct from Sigismund, but was imprisoned, tried, and executed on 6 July 1415. The knights and nobles of Bohemia and Moravia , who were in favour of church reform, sent the protestatio Bohemorum to the Council of Constance on 2 September 1415, which condemned the execution of Hus in the strongest language. This angered Sigismund, who was " King of the Romans " (head of the Holy Roman Empire , though not yet Emperor) and brother of King Wenceslaus of Bohemia . He had been persuaded by

558-438: A siege of the city, which had, however, soon to be abandoned. Negotiations took place for a settlement of the religious differences. The united Hussites formulated their demands in a statement known as the " Four Articles of Prague ". This document, the most important of the Hussite period, ran, in the wording of the contemporary chronicler, Laurence of Brezova , as follows: 1. The word of God shall be preached and made known in

620-516: The Kingdom of Hungary ). The Bohemian lands had been settled by Celts ( Boii ) from 5th century BC until the 2nd century AD, and then by various Germanic tribes ( Marcomanni , Quadi , Lombards and others) until they moved on to the west during the Migration Period (1st–5th century). At the beginning of the 5th century the population decreased dramatically and, according to mythology , was led by

682-612: The Papacy , and European monarchs loyal to the Catholic Church , as well as various Hussite factions. At a late stage of the conflict, the Utraquists changed sides in 1432 to fight alongside Roman Catholics and opposed the Taborites and other Hussite spin-offs. These wars lasted from 1419 to approximately 1434. The unrest began after pre-Protestant Christian reformer Jan Hus was executed by

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744-726: The Polish–Hussite invasion of Prussia : Supporters: In the Holy Land (1095–1291) Later Crusades (1291–1717) Northern (1147–1410) Against Christians (1209–1588) Popular (1096–1320) The Hussite Wars , also called the Bohemian Wars or the Hussite Revolution , were a series of civil wars fought between the Hussites and the combined Catholic forces of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund ,

806-508: The Ukrainian SSR . Oblast of Ukraine . 49°45′N 15°30′E  /  49.750°N 15.500°E  / 49.750; 15.500 Utraquism Utraquism (from the Latin sub utraque specie , meaning "under both kinds"), also called Calixtinism (from chalice ; Latin : calix , borrowed from Greek kalyx , shell, husk; Czech : kališníci), was a belief amongst Hussites ,

868-653: The 1920 constitution . Annexed by Nazi Germany . ČSR; included the autonomous regions of Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia. Annexed by Hungary (1939–1945). ČSR; declared a "people's democracy" (without a formal name change) under the Ninth-of-May Constitution following the 1948 coup . ČSSR; from 1969, after the Prague Spring , consisted of the Czech Socialist Republic (ČSR) and Slovak Socialist Republic (SSR). Oblast of

930-784: The Bohemian Crown ( Crown of Saint Wenceslas ) passed to the House of Habsburg in 1526, the Bohemian crown lands together with the Kingdom of Hungary and the Austrian "hereditary lands" became part of the larger Habsburg monarchy . In 1742 the Habsburg queen Maria Theresa lost the bulk of Silesia to Prussia in the First Silesian War , part of the War of the Austrian Succession . The coat of arms of

992-571: The Calixtines — from calix , Latin for their emblem, the chalice . The Utraquists eventually allied themselves with the Catholic forces (following the Council of Basel ) and defeated the more radical Taborites and Orphans at the Battle of Lipany in 1434. After that battle, nearly all forms of Hussite revival were Utraquist, as seen with George of Poděbrady , who even managed to cause the town of Tábor ,

1054-518: The Catholic Church in 1415 for heresy . Because King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia had plans to be crowned the Holy Roman Emperor (requiring papal coronation ), he suppressed the religion of the Hussites, yet it continued to spread. When King Wenceslaus IV died of natural causes a few years later, the tension stemming from the Hussites grew stronger. In Prague and various other parts of Bohemia,

1116-495: The Catholic Germans living there were forced out. Wenceslaus's brother, Sigismund , who had inherited the throne, was outraged by the spread of Hussitism. He received permission from the pope to launch a crusade against the Hussites, and large numbers of crusaders came from all over Europe to fight. They made early advances, forcing the Hussites back and taking Prague. However, the Hussites reorganized and took back nearly all

1178-443: The Council that Hus was a heretic. He sent threatening letters to Bohemia declaring that he would shortly drown all Wycliffites and Hussites, greatly incensing the people. Disorder broke out in various parts of Bohemia and drove many Catholic priests from their parishes. Almost from the beginning, the Hussites were divided into two main groups, though many minor divisions also arose among them. Shortly before his death, Hus had accepted

1240-725: The Czech Republic incorporates those of the three integral Czech lands: Bohemia proper, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. The arms of Bohemia originated with the Kingdom of Bohemia, like those of Moravia with the Moravian margraviate. The arms of Czech Silesia originated as those of all of the historical region of Silesia, much of which is now in Poland . [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] ČSR; boundaries and government established by

1302-527: The Czechs, Germany was having internal conflicts and could not muster up a sufficient force to battle the Hussites, and the king of Denmark left the Czech border to go back to his home. As the conflicts went on, the Hussites also made raids into German territory. The wars eventually ended in 1434 when the moderate Utraquist faction of the Hussites defeated the radical Taborite faction. The Hussites agreed to submit to

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1364-481: The Hussite breakthrough of Catholic encirclement at Vladař Hill  [ cs ] in November 1421 at the Battle of Žlutice  [ cs ] . The wagons and firearms were used on the move, at this point still only defensively. Žižka avoided the main camp of the enemy and employed the moving wagon forts in order to cover his retreating troops. The first true engagement where firearms played primary role happened

1426-421: The Hussite revolt started in 1419, the Hussite militias heavily depended on converted farm equipment and weapons looted from castle and town armories, including early firearms. Hussite militia comprised mostly commoners without prior military experience and included both men and women. Use of crossbows and firearms became critical as those weapons didn't require extensive training, nor did their effectiveness rely on

1488-461: The Hussite tactical use of wagon forts and firearms was defensive. The wagon's wall was stationary, and firearms were used to break the initial charge of the enemy. After this, firearms played an auxiliary role, supporting mainly cold weapons-based defense at the level of the wagon wall. Counterattacks were done by cold weapons-armed infantry and cavalry charges outside of the wagon forts. The first mobile use of war wagons and firearms took place during

1550-417: The Hussites included hákovnice  [ cs ] , an infantry weapon heavier than píšťala and tarasnice ( fauconneau ). As regards cannons, apart from houfnice, Hussites employed bombarda ( mortar ) and dělo ( cannon ). After the death of his childless brother Wenceslaus, Sigismund inherited a claim on the Bohemian crown, though it was then, and remained until much later, in question whether Bohemia

1612-504: The Pope—were expelled from the Bohemian cities. Wenceslaus's widow Sophia of Bavaria , acting as regent in Bohemia, hurriedly collected a force of mercenaries and tried to gain control of Prague, which led to severe fighting. After a considerable part of the city had been damaged or destroyed, the parties declared a truce on 13 November. The nobles, sympathetic to the Hussite cause, but supporting

1674-625: The Silesian and Lusatian estates into the Bohemian Crown and upon his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor confirmed their indivisibility from and affiliation with the Holy Roman Empire . In 1367 Emperor Charles IV also purchased the former March of Lusatia ( Lower Lusatia ) in the northwest. However, during the Thirty Years' War both Lusatias passed to the Electorate of Saxony by the Peace of Prague . After

1736-559: The Taborites, but he failed to bring the Hussites back into the church. On a few occasions, he fought against both the Taborites and the Orebites to try to force them into reuniting. After Władysław II and Vytautas signed the Treaty of Melno with Sigismund of Hungary in 1423, they recalled Sigismund Korybut to Lithuania, under pressure from Sigismund of Hungary and the pope. Czech lands In

1798-569: The adjacent Moravian lands. In 1198 Duke Ottokar I of Bohemia received the royal title by the German anti-king Philip of Swabia . Attached to his Kingdom of Bohemia was the Margraviate of Moravia established in 1182 and Kłodzko Land , the later County of Kladsko . From the second part of the 13th century onwards, German colonists (" German Bohemians "), who had already been living in Prague since

1860-441: The ambition of agitators. On 9 March 1422, Jan Želivský was arrested by the town council of Prague and beheaded. There were troubles at Tábor also, where a more radical party opposed Žižka's authority. The Hussites were aided at various times by Poland . Because of this, Jan Žižka arranged for the crown of Bohemia to be offered to King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland, who, under pressure from his own advisors, refused it. The crown

1922-545: The authority of the king of Bohemia and the Roman Catholic Church and were allowed to practice their somewhat variant rite. The Hussite community included much of the Czech population of the Kingdom of Bohemia and formed a major spontaneous military power. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early handheld firearms such as hand cannons and wagon forts by the Hussites. Starting around 1402, priest and scholar Jan Hus denounced what he judged as

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1984-846: The ceremony of the Roman Catholic Church. The ecclesiastical organization of Tabor had a somewhat puritanical character, and the government was established on a thoroughly democratic basis. Four captains of the people ( hejtmané ) were elected, one of whom was Žižka, and a very strict military discipline was instituted. Late 14th and early 15th century saw gradually increasing use of firearms in siege operations both by defenders and attackers. Weight, lack of accuracy and cumbersome use of early types limited their employment to static operations and prevented wider use in open battlefield or by civilian individuals. Nevertheless, lack of guild monopolies and low training requirements led to their relatively low price. This together with high effectiveness against armour led to their popularity for castle and town defenses. When

2046-446: The city, the crusaders retreated somewhat ingloriously on hearing that the Hussite troops were approaching. Sigismund only arrived in Bohemia at the end of 1421. He took possession of the town of Kutná Hora but was decisively defeated by Jan Žižka at the Battle of Německý Brod on 6 January 1422. Bohemia was for a time free from foreign intervention, but internal discord again broke out, caused partly by theological strife and partly by

2108-640: The conquest of Silesia by the Prussian king Frederick the Great in 1742, the remaining lands of the Bohemian Crown—Bohemia, Moravia and Austrian Silesia —have been more or less co-extensive with the territory of the modern-day Czech Republic. The term Czech lands has been used to describe different things by different people. While the Czech name of Bohemia proper is Čechy , the adjective český refers to both "Bohemian" and "Czech". The non-auxiliary term (i.e.

2170-534: The consecrated wine, the Precious Blood. Jacob taught that communion should be provided and taken under both kinds, which as a precept of Christ could not be changed by the church. Only those who received the utraquist (both kinds) communion belong to the church of Christ. There is disagreement in sources about whether he, or early Utraquists, taught this was necessary for salvation (as claimed by Catholic detractors such as Andrew of Brod), or necessary to receive

2232-455: The corruption of the church and the papacy, and he promoted some of the reformist ideas of English theologian John Wycliffe . His preaching was widely heeded in Bohemia, and provoked suppression by the church, which had declared many of Wycliffe's ideas heretical. In 1411, in the course of the Western Schism , " Antipope " John XXIII proclaimed a "crusade" against King Ladislaus of Naples ,

2294-552: The doctrine of Utraquism preached during his absence by his adherents at Prague: the obligation of the faithful to receive communion in both kinds, bread and wine ( 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 ). The more extreme Hussites became known as Taborites ( Táborité ), after

2356-630: The early 12th century, settled in the mountainous border area on the basis of the king's invitation during the Ostsiedlung . The Silesian lands north of the Sudetes mountain range had been ruled by the Polish Piast dynasty from the 10th century onwards. While Bohemia rose to a kingdom, the Silesian Piasts alienated from the fragmenting Kingdom of Poland . After in 1310 the Bohemian crown had passed to

2418-452: The end of October 1420 the garrison was on the point of capitulating through famine. Sigismund tried to relieve the fortress but was decisively defeated by the Hussites on 1 November near the village of Pankrác . The castles of Vyšehrad and Hradčany now capitulated, and shortly afterwards, almost all Bohemia fell into the hands of the Hussites. Internal troubles prevented the followers of Hus from fully capitalizing on their victory. At Prague,

2480-453: The enemy's cavalry charge. The main weight of the fighting rested on militiamen armed with cold weapons, but firearms shooting from behind the safety of the wagon forts proved to be very effective. Following this experience, Žižka ordered mass manufacturing of war wagons according to a universal template as well as manufacturing of new types of firearms that would be more suitable for use in the open battlefield. Throughout 1420 and most of 1421,

2542-482: The essence of the Hussite doctrine, were rejected by King Sigismund, mainly through the influence of the papal legates , who considered them prejudicial to the authority of the pope. Hostilities therefore continued. However, Sigismund was defeated at the Battle of Vítkov Hill on July 1420. Though Sigismund had retired from Prague, his troops held the castles of Vyšehrad and Hradčany . The citizens of Prague laid siege to Vyšehrad (see Battle of Vyšehrad ), and towards

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2604-499: The establishment of the Čáslav diet of formal legal duty for all inhabitants to obey the call to arms of the elected provisional government. For the first time in medieval European history, this was not put in place in order to fulfill duties to a feudal lord or to the church, but in order to participate in the defense of the country. Firearms design underwent fast development during the Hussite Wars, and their civilian possession became

2666-461: The famous Taborite stronghold, to convert to Utraquism. An agreement of mutual accommodation was agreed in 1485 between Catholics and Utraquists: the religious peace of Kutná Hora ended the Hussite wars. Following the victory of allied Utraquist and Catholic forces in the Hussite Wars , Utraquists constituted a majority of the Bohemian lands. In the 16th century much of the population then adopted

2728-462: The first pitched battle of the Hussite Wars. After Sudoměř, he moved to Ústí, one of the earliest meeting places of the Hussites. Not considering its situation sufficiently strong, he moved to the neighboring new settlement of the Hussites, called by the biblical name of Tábor . Tábor soon became the center of the most militant Hussites, who differed from the Utraquists by recognizing only two sacraments— Baptism and Communion —and by rejecting most of

2790-538: The kingdom of Bohemia freely and in an orderly manner by the priests of the Lord. 2. The sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist shall be freely administered in the two kinds, that is bread and wine, to all the faithful in Christ who are not precluded by mortal sin – according to the word and disposition of Our Saviour. 3. The secular power over riches and worldly goods which the clergy possesses in contradiction to Christ's precept, to

2852-493: The land they had lost, resulting in the failure of the crusade. After the reins of the Hussite army were handed over to yeoman Jan Žižka , internal strife followed. Seeing that the Hussites were weakened, the Germans undertook another crusade but were defeated by Žižka at the Battle of Německý Brod . Three more crusades were attempted by the papacy , but none achieved their objectives. The Lithuanians and Poles did not wish to attack

2914-461: The largest Hussite faction. Utraquism was a Christian dogma first proposed by Jacob of Mies , professor of philosophy at the University of Prague , in 1414. It maintained that the Eucharist should be administered "under both kinds" — as both bread and wine — to all the congregation, including the laity . The practice among Roman Catholics at the time was for only the priests to partake of

2976-508: The mighty House of Luxembourg , nearly all Silesian dukes pledged allegiance to King John the Blind , and in 1335 the Polish king Casimir III the Great officially renounced Silesia via the Treaty of Trentschin . King John had also acquired the lands of Bautzen and Görlitz (later Upper Lusatia ) in 1319 and 1329. His son and successor Charles IV, also King of the Romans since 1346, incorporated

3038-499: The operator's physical strength. Firearms were first used in the field as a provisional last resort together with wagon forts. Significantly outnumbered Hussite militia led by Jan Žižka repulsed surprise assaults by heavy cavalry during the Battle of Nekmíř in December 1419 and the Battle of Sudoměř in March 1420. In these battles, Žižka employed transport carriages as wagon forts to stop

3100-653: The pre-Lutheran Protestant Unity of the Brethren and Lutheranism ; the Utraquist Church remained strong in the cities. The Battle of White Mountain , in 1620, marked the end of the Bohemian Revolt and, led to recatholization in the Lands of the Bohemian Crown . In 1627, communion under both kinds was again not made available, until the eventual Josephinian Patent of Toleration in 1781. In modern Catholic practice since

3162-486: The prejudice of its office and to the detriment of the secular arm, shall be taken and withdrawn from it, and the clergy itself shall be brought back to the evangelical rule and an apostolic life such as that which Christ and his apostles led. 4. All mortal sins, and in particular all public and other disorders, which are contrary to God's law shall in every rank of life be duly and judiciously prohibited and destroyed by those whose office it is. These articles, which contain

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3224-465: The protector of rival Pope Gregory XII . To raise money for this, he proclaimed indulgences in Bohemia. Hus bitterly denounced this and explicitly quoted Wycliffe against it, provoking further complaints of heresy but winning much support in Bohemia. In 1414, Sigismund of Hungary convened the Council of Constance to end the Schism and resolve other religious controversies. Hus went to the Council, under

3286-453: The regent, promised to act as mediators with Sigismund, while the citizens of Prague consented to restore to the royal forces the castle of Vyšehrad , which had fallen into their hands. Žižka, who disapproved of this compromise, left Prague and retired to Plzeň . Unable to maintain himself there he marched to southern Bohemia. He defeated the Catholics at the Battle of Sudoměř (25 March 1420),

3348-456: The salvific effect of the eucharist or an obligation. The 15th century Utraquists were a moderate faction of the Hussites with strong respect for the sacrament and, generally, endorsed transubstantiation and Catholicity (in contrast to the more radical Taborites , Orebites and Orphans who were closer to the beliefs of John Wycliffe ). They were also known as the Prague Party or

3410-469: The term used in official Czech geographical terminology lists) for the present-day Czech lands (i.e. Bohemia, Moravia, Czech Silesia) is Česko , documented as early as 1704. During the period of the First and Second Czechoslovak Republics, the Czech lands were frequently referred to as Historical lands , in particular when mentioned together with Slovakia (which was never an autonomous historical region within

3472-412: The town of Tábor , which became their centre; or Orphans ( Sirotci ), a name they adopted after the death of their leader and general Jan Žižka. Under the influence of Sigismund, Wenceslaus endeavoured to stem the Hussite movement. A number of Hussites led by Mikuláš of Hus left Prague. They held meetings in various parts of Bohemia, particularly at Sezimovo Ústí , near the spot where the town of Tábor

3534-531: The windows into the street (the first " Defenestration of Prague "), where several were killed by the fall, after a rock was allegedly thrown from the town hall and hit Želivský. It has been suggested that Wenceslaus was so stunned by the defenestration that it caused his death on 16 August 1419. Alternatively, it is possible that he may have just died of natural causes. The death of Wenceslaus resulted in renewed troubles in Prague and in almost all parts of Bohemia. Many Catholics, mostly Germans—mostly still faithful to

3596-468: Was a hereditary or an elective monarchy, especially since the line through which Sigismund claimed the throne had accepted that the Kingdom of Bohemia was an elective monarchy elected by the nobles, and thus, the regent of the kingdom (Čeněk of Wartenberg) also explicitly stated that Sigismund had not been elected as a reason for Sigismund's claim to not be accepted. A firm adherent of the Church of Rome, Sigismund

3658-454: Was aided by Pope Martin V , who issued a bull on 17 March 1420 proclaiming a crusade "for the destruction of the Wycliffites, Hussites and all other heretics in Bohemia". Sigismund and many German princes arrived before Prague on 30 June at the head of a vast army of crusaders from all parts of Europe, largely consisting of adventurers attracted by the hope of pillage. They immediately began

3720-421: Was conducted by using a gradually moving wagon wall. Instead of the usual infantry raids beyond the wagons, the attack relied mainly on the use of ranged weapons from the moving wagons. Nighttime use of firearms proved extremely effective, not only practically but also psychologically. The year 1421 marked not only a shift in the importance of firearms, from auxiliary to primary weapons of Hussite militia, but also

3782-412: Was founded soon afterwards. At these meetings, they violently denounced Sigismund, and the people everywhere prepared for war. In spite of the departure of many prominent Hussites, the troubles at Prague continued. On 30 July 1419, a Hussite procession headed by the priest Jan Želivský attacked New Town Hall in Prague and threw the king's representatives, the burgomaster, and some town councillors from

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3844-404: Was then offered to Władysław's cousin, Vytautas , the Grand Duke of Lithuania . Vytautas accepted it, with the condition that the Hussites reunite with the Catholic Church. In 1422, Žižka accepted Prince Sigismund Korybut of Lithuania (nephew of Władysław II) as regent of Bohemia for Vytautas. His authority was recognized by the Utraquist nobles, the citizens of Prague, and the more moderate of

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