MAA No 409 THE HUSSITE WARS 1419-1436

Relates the story of a blind general who wins shocking victories against armies of royal knights * Covers the early decisive use of firearms and "war wagons" against traditional knightly armies, and the first army to couple the use of firearms with vehicles * Covered is an exciting and bloody period, little published in English. The wars in which the Hussites fought against the German crown and the Catholic Church were a very important forerunner to the wars of the Reformation in the following century. This book examines the Hussites as followers of Jan Hus, a reforming preacher who anticipated the Protestant Reformation in attacking the corruption and oppression of the Church. Other strains of political, local and class hostilities became mixed up with the religious argument. Under the leadership of the blind veteran Jan Zizka, the Hussites became a formidable military force. Their religious doctrine, organisation, insignia and use of weapons are all studied in detail in this book. Colour plates by Angus McBride.