The Rise of the Hussites and the Seeds of Conflict

The early 15th century was a time of religious and political upheaval in Bohemia. The execution of Jan Hus in 1415—a reformist preacher burned at the stake for heresy—ignited a firestorm of rebellion among his followers, known as the Hussites. By 1421, the Hussite movement had grown into a formidable military and political force, challenging both the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund.

At the heart of this resistance was Jan Žižka, a one-eyed military commander whose tactical brilliance turned peasant armies into a disciplined fighting force. The Hussites, divided into factions like the radical Taborites and the moderate Utraquists, united under a common cause: defending their religious reforms and Bohemian autonomy.

The Campaigns of 1421: Conquest and Crisis

In the spring of 1421, Žižka led Hussite forces to a series of stunning victories. By March, they had seized multiple fortresses, pushing Sigismund’s loyalists into Moravia. The Hussites then turned their attention to Pilsen (Plzeň), a key royalist stronghold. Despite a two-week siege, the city held firm, forcing Žižka to abandon the assault and march north. By late March, nearly 80% of Bohemia was under Hussite control.

April saw relentless Hussite expansion. Towns and villages fell one after another, with commanders like Hynek Krušina of the eastern army securing critical territories. In Wittenberg, Hussite leader Jan Želivský spared civilians but targeted nobles, who hastily pledged loyalty to avoid execution. By month’s end, Žižka and Želivský merged their forces, consolidating Hussite dominance.

The Čáslav Assembly and Political Fractures

In June, Hussite leaders convened in Čáslav to establish a provisional government. The assembly declared Sigismund deposed, abolished the archbishopric of Prague, and sought a new monarch—offering the crown to the Polish-Lithuanian ruler. However, radical factions, particularly Želivský’s followers, rejected compromise, accusing Žižka of betraying peasant interests. Tensions simmered as Želivský plotted to stack Prague’s government with hardliners.

Disaster struck days later. During the siege of Rábí Castle, an arrow struck Žižka’s remaining eye, leaving him blind. Yet, undeterred, he continued commanding through aides. Želivský, now de facto leader, pursued aggressive campaigns, but his reckless tactics soon backfired.

The Second Crusade and the Battle of Kutná Hora

Sigismund, backed by Pope Martin V, launched a new crusade in July 1421. A motley army of German, Hungarian, and mercenary forces advanced into Bohemia. At Kutná Hora in December, Žižka’s outnumbered Hussites faced encirclement. Using fortified wagon forts (wagenburgs) and strategic withdrawals, they inflicted heavy losses before escaping—a tactical retreat that preserved their core army.

Internal Strife: The Suppression of the Adamites

Even as external threats loomed, Hussite unity crumbled. The extremist Adamites, who practiced nudity and rejected all social norms, were violently purged in 1421–22. Žižka, fearing their destabilizing influence, ordered mass executions. Meanwhile, Prague’s elites conspired against Želivský, assassinating him in March 1422. His death triggered a popular uprising, with mobs slaughtering nobles in retaliation.

Legacy and Modern Echoes

The Hussite Wars reshaped Central Europe. Though Sigismund eventually reclaimed Bohemia, the conflict proved the viability of Protestant reform and popular resistance. Žižka’s innovations—mobile forts, combined arms tactics—influenced later military thinkers. Today, the Hussites symbolize defiance against oppression, a theme resonating in Czech national identity.

The wars also exposed the fragility of revolutionary coalitions. Factionalism, from doctrinal splits to class tensions, undermined Hussite goals—a cautionary tale for movements seeking radical change. Yet their struggle endures in history as a bold stand for faith and freedom.