HUSSITES, followers of the Bohemian re former and martyr John Huss (q.v.), who to avenge his death on the treac'terous Emperor Sigismund and the clergy involved the empire in one of the most terrible wars of history (1420-34). Instead of suppressing the teach ings of Huss, the auto-da-fe of Constance was the slogan of union for multitudes of all classes, including a league of 450 Bohemian nobles. Their symbol was the chalice, the withdrawal of which in the celebration of the Lord's Supper had been a cause of contention. The wavering and temporizing King Wenceslas was compelled in 1417 to grant the use of many churches for the celebration of the sacrament in both forms. After his death, 13 Aug. 1419, the inquisitorial violence of the cardinal legate, John Dominico, kindled the fire of insurrec tion. The people could not overthrow the claims of the hated Emperor Sigismund to the vacant throne and, bent upon the extirpation of so-called heresy, faithless in treaties, but un equal to contend with the activity of the Hus sites and the genius of their generals Ziska and Procopius, for 15 years Sigismund saw his kingdom in a state utter anarchy. The Hus
sites comprised three parties (a) Calixtines or Utraquists (q.v.); b. Orphans; and (c) Tabor ites. Overtures tending to conciliation were made by the Council of Basel in 1431 which were listened to by the Calixtines who were desirous of peace. On 20 Nov. 1433 the com promise or compact of Prague was made, which, however, was not accepted by all parties and hostilities recommenced, but ended by a complete victory of the Calixtines and Catho lics under Meinhard of Neuhaus, at BOmisch brod, 30 May 1434. The Orphans and Taborites deprived of political influence and religious freedom finally merged in the fraternity of Bohemian and Moravian Brethren (q.v.), which arose in 1457. Consult Berger, W., 'Johannes Hus und KOnig Sigmund' (1871); Denis, E., 'Huss et la guerre des Hussites' (Paris 1878); Krummel, L., 'Geschichte der bohmischen Reformation' (Gotha 1866); ib., und Taboriten' (Gotha 1871); LOtzone, Count, 'The Life and Times of John Hus' (London 1909).