Notes on Jan Žižka and the Hussite Wars

Introduction

• Czechia: known for Pilsners and hockey players.
• Early 1400s: characterized by vigilantes, political intrigue, and religious turmoil.
• Focus on Jan Žižka: a notable general who resisted the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.
• Mention of the movie Medieval, featuring Ben Foster and Michael Caine, related to Žižka's story.

Background of the Kingdom of Bohemia

• Since 1198, Bohemia was part of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Prosperity during Charles IV's reign, notable for making Prague an important city.
• After Charles IV's death (1378): Wenceslaus IV became King, seen as neglectful and leading to insurrections.
• Sigismund of Hungary, Wenceslaus' half-brother, aimed for territorial gains in Bohemia.

Early Life of Jan Žižka

• Born in the 1360s, Trocnova; family of lower nobility.
• Early life: gained a cyclopean visage from a childhood fight.
• Financial strain led to selling family land in 1384; became landless.
• 1392: served as King's Huntsman.

Rise as a Soldier

• 1394: nobles, led by Henry of Rosenberg, revolted against King Wenceslaus.
• Žižka joined a band loyal to Wenceslaus, engaging in banditry and guerilla warfare.
• Became known for his cunning and fighting skills.

Political Changes

• Wenceslaus returned to power after a brief deposition.
• By 1410: Žižka fought as a mercenary for Poland against the Teutonic Order.
• Participated in the defense of Radzyń Chełmiński Castle.
• Returned to Bohemia in 1411 amidst rising religious conflict.

The Hussite Movement

• Discontent with Catholic Church due to corruption and indulgences.
• Jan Hus: a key figure in the anti-Catholic sentiment, became a martyr after execution in 1415.
• Hus’ teachings led to the rise of the Hussite movement, with Žižka as a prominent leader.
• Wenceslaus' death left Sigismund in control, but he was opposed by the Hussites.

Žižka as a Military Leader

• Led Hussite forces for five years, remained undefeated.
• Developed wagenberg tactics using modified wagons as mobile fortifications.
• Utilized a mix of peasant fighters and early firearms, surprising better-equipped enemies.

Key Battles and Strategies

• Initial victories: repulsed crusaders at Battles of Nekmíř and Sudoměř.
• Significant win at Vítkov Hill led to Hussite control over Bohemia.
• Continued success against Sigismund’s forces; Žižka remained a tactical innovator despite blindness.
• Legend of losing his last eye during the siege of Rábí.

Internal Conflicts among Hussites

• Division between moderate Utraquists and radical Taborites.
• Žižka’s Taborites emerged victorious in late 1423.

Death and Legacy

• Died of plague in 1424, maintaining an undefeated record.
• Impact of his death led to the downfall of the Hussite cause and internal conflicts.
• Hussite wars concluded with a compromise between factions, leading to the Utraquists reconciling with the Catholic Church.

Conclusion

• Jan Žižka is remembered as a national hero in Czech history for his role in the Hussite movement and his military genius.
• The Hussite movement influenced the Protestant Reformation, securing religious freedoms for Czechs.