The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

HUSSITES

The Hussites were followers of John Huss in Bohemia during the early 15th century, whose demands prefigured many elements of the Protestant Reformation . The agitation for Czech independence and church reform began well before the execution by burning of John Huss at the Council of Constance in 1415. These goals, articulated in his teaching, became vital causes that inspired a national movement when he was martyred.

After the death of John Huss, his adherents took up arms for the defence of their principles, and under the leadership of Johann Ziska, captured Prague, fortified Mount Tabor, and repeatedly defeated the troops sent against them by the Emperor Sigismund, who had succeeded to the crown of Bohemia. Ziska died in 1424, and was succeeded by Procopius, who also distinguished himself by many victories. The excesses of this party, however, who were called the Taborites, alienated the moderate Hussites, who called themselves Calixtines, and who finally united with the Catholics by the Compact of Prague in 1433 to acknowledge Sigismund as king, certain concessions, especially the use of the cup for the laity, having been made to them by the Council of Basel. The Taborites thus weakened were totally defeated at Bomischbrod on the 31st of May, 1434, and afterwards declined as a political party, finally becoming merged in the Bohemian Brethren.
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