152

A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN

LITERATURE

moderate Taborites, and the contemporary writers mention several cases when Zizka reproved the barbarity of

his soldiers. It is none the less impossible to acquit him altogether from the accusation of cruelty, but it is certain that his conduct in this respect was far more humane than that of his adversaries, the so-called crusaders, who several times invaded Bohemia and openly proclaimed their intention " to let no heretic live." The account of the death of Zizka, according to which he died blaspheming, and ordered that his body should be flayed, his skin used as a drum, and his body thrown to the wild beasts — first mentioned by ^naeas Sylvius, and since repeated by countless writers — is also totally devoid of truth. It may be of interest to quote the account of Zizka's death given by one of the contemporary chroniclers.^ It runs " thus : Here (at Pfibislav) brother Zizka was seized by a deadly attack of the plague. He gave his last charge to his faithful Bohemians, (saying,) that, fearing their beloved God, they should firmly and faithfully defend God's law in view of His reward in eternity. And then brother Zizka recommended his soul to God, and died on the Wednesday before the day of St. Gallus" Even had we no historical evidence (October ii, 1424). to the point, this tranquil death would appear a fitting end for the great Bohemian general. He who had so often fought what he firmly considered God's battle, assuredly did not dread entering into God's peace. It has already been stated that besides the two great divisions of the Hussites, minor religious sects sprung up in Bohemia in consequence of the general religious exaltation which prevailed in the country, particularly in the earlier part of the fifteenth century. These sects 1

Stari

Letopisove

6eUi

(" Ancient

Bohemian

Chronicles ")

see later.