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Chapters from the History of Hussitism in Silesia : From the perspective of the history of Wrocław

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2023

Abstract

This text is a continuation of the discussion on the relationship between Hussitism and the changes in Silesia. The attacks of the Hussite troops on the Silesian principalities led to closer cooperation between the princes.

This cooperation was realised through the Union of the Princes of Silesia. The second category of relations concerned the contacts of the principalities that were directly subordinate to the Czech Crown.

Both structures cooperated with each other, but at the same time competed for a leading position in Silesia. The Bishop of Wrocław had great importance in the Union.

It was he who sought to regain the office of governor of the Duchy of Wrocław. This office, which was created by a decision of the King of Bohemia, informally had the greatest delegated authority.

Sigismund of Luxembourg granted this office to the citizens of Wrocław, but it was deprived of all revenues. Even the end of the Hussite wars, which culminated in the Battle of Lipany in 1434 and the departure of the Hussite garrisons from Silesia, did not mean the end of internal rivalries.

The bishops authority was weakened by the accumulated debts, and Wrocław continued to serve as the capital of Silesia. The authorities also demonstrated self-confidence in negotiating the pledge of allegiance to the two remaining Bohemian kings.

The citizens of Wrocław refused to pay tribute to Ladislaus Habsburg in any place other than on the territory of his city (the capital of Silesia), and rejected George of Poděbrady as a heretic. Wrocław became one of the centres of the late anti-Hussite opposition in the lands of the Bohemian Crown.

However, its political activity cost the city a lot, as it led to decline of its economy and the weakening of its position in the Central European trade network. The importance of Polish cities grew at his expense.