The world is in constant motion.
A peaceful era may seem to stretch on, only to be swiftly followed by a turbulent one.
Perhaps it moves with the belief that only unceasing change can breathe life into it. Though minor conflicts have always existed, even in times considered peaceful, they have not decisively marked turning points in history.
Now comes a moment of grave choice that will determine the direction the world will take.
Indeed, the 15th century is such a time.
Let us turn our gaze to the far western edge of Europe.
The fate of the Iberian Peninsula, once a Roman province known as ‘Hispania,’ had long reached its peak. In the 7th and 8th centuries, it faced the onslaught of rising Islamic forces under the prophet’s name, leading to a agonizing past where many had to abandon their faith and become Muslims. However, with the fall of Islam, the reconquest under the banner of Christ was nearing its conclusion.
The conquest, led by Castile and Aragon, was set to end soon in a Christian victory. This would be followed by a sweeping crackdown on heretics and Jews who had acted as collaborators for the Muslims. Yet, Christianity’s triumph on the Iberian Peninsula did not lead to absolute glory.
The Hundred Years’ War between England and France over the throne.
England, having seized Aquitaine in southern France, sought to establish an Anglo-French empire, while France aimed to expel the foreign power from its land. This war, which began in 1337, forced heavy casualties on both sides, with frequent truces and renewed conflicts.
The unfortunate truth was that the war was far from over.
The war’s toll was immeasurable—exhausted citizens, devastated farmlands, pillaged villages. The weakening of these two Western Church pillars robbed the West of its ability to counter Eastern threats.
What of the Holy Roman Empire further east?
Unfortunately, the Germanic Roman Empire was in no position to engage in international affairs. The death of the emperor had left the throne vacant, leading to nonstop conflict among the heirs competing for the crown. Without a clear contender for the throne, it seemed the chaos would take a long time to subside.
Thus, while Western Christianity—Catholicism—claimed victory on the Iberian Peninsula, it could not prevent the demise of religious authority due to internal divisions. Furthermore, when people started to understand the teachings (doctrines) in new ways, it actually made the existing problem worse.
A figure emerged who condemned the corrupt behaviour of clergy and challenged long-standing church doctrines.
Not Martin Luther, as he belonged to the 16th century.
This courageous theologian, who viewed the church’s luxury and wealth as sinful and used the cup of wine as a symbol to resist the pope, was Jan Hus.
He struck a powerful blow to the popes authority, which had dominated for centuries with the fervent support of Thomas Aquinas.
Jan Hus was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake at a council filled with the pope’s wrath.
But wasn’t this a common occurrence in medieval Europe?
Indeed, the pope might have believed that the burning of this daring theologian who had dared to challenge him restored the church’s authority on that very day. But it was different this time. Jan Hus was a figure of considerable popular support, unlike other heretical leaders. Would his followers, who revered him as a clergyman, quietly accept his death?
Rather than restoring church authority, Jan Hus’s death incited challenges against the church.
Hungary, where many of Jan Hus’s supporters resided, soon became engulfed in the flames of war. They called themselves the Hussites and followed the new teachings adopted by Jan Hus. But weren’t they just a motley crew without proper military training? The Hungarian king and nobility thought so and sought to crush them with powerful knights.
Soon, Hungary suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of this motley crew and went to the pope to request a crusade. The pope, displeased with the Hussites, declared a crusade, and it seemed the overwhelming military difference would obliterate the heretics—assuming no unforeseen variables.
But, there was a variable
The Hussites were led by the incomparable one-eyed military genius, Jan Žižka.
Thus, Hungary, entangled in civil war, also fell out of the picture. The Western Church became utterly fractured, plunging into a state of vulnerability never seen before.
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