Jan Zizka - Undefeated Czech General - Medieval Wars DOCUMENTARY 

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Zizka's eyes see nothing but victory

If I get a penny every time the Czechs threw people outta the window of the city council of Prague, I'd have 3 pennies. It is not much but still incredible.

Fun fact: After his death, Žižka allegedly ordered his men to skin his body and use his skin for a war drum, so that he could lead his men into battle even after death.

The Czech videogame, Kingdome Come Deliverance takes place just a few years before Jan Žižka's rise to prominence, and the Hussite Wars discussed in this video. It is theoretically possible for Henry of Skalitz to shake hands with Jan Žižka. Also, Žižka should be known as the father of mechanized warfare.

Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, had a long and successful reign. The Empire he ruled from Prague expaned, and his subjects lived in peace and prosperity. When he died, the whole Empire mourned. More than 7,000 people accompanied him on his last procession. The heir to the throne of the flourishing Empire was Charles' son, Wenceslas IV, whose father had prepared him for this moment all his life. But Wenceslas did not take after his father. He neglected affairs of state for more frivolous pursuits. He even failed to turn up for his own coronation as Emperor, which did little to endear him to the Pope. Wenceslas "the Idle" did not impress the Imperial nobility either. His difficulties mounted until the nobles, exasperated by the inaction of their ruler, turned for help to his half-brother, King Sigismund of Hungary. Sigismund decided on a radical solution. He kidnapped the King to force him to abdicate, then took advantage of the ensuing disorder to gain greater power for himself. He invaded Bohemia with a massive army and began pillaging the territories of the King's allies. It is here that my story begins...

This guy is the definition of Alexander the Great’s quote: “I do not fear an army of lions lead by a sheep, but an army of sheep lead by a lion.” It may be misquoted, but that’s the gist of the quote

I love Jan Žižka he is a legend, and many Polish historians and armchair historians hold him in high regard.

Žižka's name really echoed throughout Czech history - there was even a Yugoslav Partisan brigade named after him during World War 2, composed of Czechs and Slovaks from Croatia.

I am already used to see top quality content here on this channel. Just this time, as a native Czech, I must bow before an unusual language skill of this storyteller. Most of czech words used in this video related to city names and persons was pronounced perfectly or just with very minor flaws. It is very rare and uncommon, as we have some unique prononounced letters, to hear a foreigner with such good pronunciation. If you do not have any previous experience with czech language, you must have trully unique linguistic sense. And of course, excellent quality of content. Which probably won't surprise anyone watching this channel :) .

There's some interesting parallels between Jan Zizka and the Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin. - Both primarily led armies in defensive struggles against overwhelming odds (defending against Catholic coalitions / defending against the Japanese) - Both were undefeated in their particular area (land battles / naval battles) - A good part of their victories can be ascribed to innovative armoured structures (Hussite wagon / turtle ship). Both legends and national icons for their decedents up to this day as well of course!

Keep in mind the Hussites Wars continued for a decade after his death, and even if his Taborites faction lost to the Utraquistes, the Hussites pretty much won the war against the Catholics thanks to his tactics and how he shaped the Hussite armies. Zizka's wasn't just undefeated, he got the greatest kind of last victory: A secured legacy. And that one is likely the hardest one to achieve. I mean... *Looking at Alexander and the Diadochi*

I would love to see a deeper dive into Czech medieval history, the Kingdom's interactions with the HRE and the Hapsburg political influence later on.

One of the weapons used by hussites was "Píšťala" - gunpowder weapon in "hand cannon" family, and it is debated that word "Pistol" comes from this weapon. Another weapon - Houfnice - again gave name to whole weapon familly known in english as Howitzer. :)

Fun fact: word howitzer comes from butchered pronanciation of czech word houf whitch means crowd which nicely explaines how were canons on these waggons used. Because you would right before impact of enemy charge fire into their tightly packed formation, that would break their charge and cause panic among enemy soldiers.

Well done content. I´ve recently read a great and detailed book: "Jan Durdík - Husitské vojenství" about Hussite wars and warfare. The point is that pretty soon after Battle of Vítkov Hill, the Hussite army was far away from being a bunch of untrained peasants. This idea was a common mistake in some later historiography. For example the cannons and other guns (houfnice, tarasnice, píšťala - hightech of that era) as well as gun powder were mass produced in Hussite towns. Bohemian towns were rich in these times and many of Hussite soldiers were from these cities. In fact, Žižka´s armies were perfectly trained and organized with complex logistics. In their biggest battles more than a thousand war wagons were cleverly employed. It required perfect, swift and effective organisation and tactics. Žižka armies were also able to march up to 50km per day which was unmatched since Roman times. In fact Žižka armies were the first field armies in Medieval times and the second in Europe since ancient Rome legions (hats off to Rome). The raised catholic armies were not trained in this complex manner at all and were stunned by the unorthodox modernity of Hussite tactics and their efficiency. One of the battles i like the most was at Kutná hora: Žižka army was surrounded by catholic armies. The situation would seem rather desperate for a normal general of that era. But Žižka decided to wait until it's night and what happened next was the first use of mobile artillery in history... Žižka grouped his war wagons into a column and charged the enemy lines. The war wagons advanced rapidly, with all of their guns blazing... so they escaped easily while crusaders panicked totally.. Later on Žižka saved Kutná Hora from serious fire and soon after they defeated Crusaders again at village of Hubry. Fascinating military history. It´s safe to say Žižka was one of the most successful military innovators ever. Almost like a guy from future who got back to early 15th century. I just want to mention Žižka´s military mentor, Moravian nobleman Jan Sokol of Lamberk, so called Wild Falcon (falcon means sokol in czech, 1355-1410) who is a bit forgotten today. He was extremely successful military commander who fought in battle of Grunwald where he led the 4th Banner of St. George to a great success and become close friend of Polish king. It would be interesting to see him in Hussite wars but unfortunately he was poisoned in 1410 probably by Polish nobility because of his influence on Polish king. If he had been alive after 1420, the Hussites would have had two military geniuses at the early stage of war. Lastly i want to mention Žižka´s successor Prokop the Great (named the Great by Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini in his Historia Bohemica) who was also very skilled commander and also a priest - an intelectual, fluent in many languages, manager of Hussites logistics + he´s never carried any personnal weapon. He lost only one battle - the last one between Bohemian factions at Lipany where he was killed.

So glad I had the opportunity to learn about this famous medieval European general. Big respect and greetings to great Czech people from Serbia !

'Tábor' literally means 'camp' in czech. They hid the entire battle behind wagons. the Hussites were literally 'campers'.

The Game Changer of warfare. Being able to defeat the most modern and experienced european armies with higher numbers TWICE, just with peasants,farmers,fishermen is just incredible. Jan Zizka is really underrated European General.

In the second anti-hussitan crusade, during the battle of Kuttenberg (Kutná hora), Žižka further improved his tactics, harassing the crusader army with cannons and handguns mounted to wagons, thus creating the first mobile artillery unit ever.

Zizka was one of the many talents the 15th century gave us ; Skanderbeg, Mehmed the Conqueror, Stephen III, Uzun Hasan, Ivan III, Matthias Corvinus, Murad II, John Hunyadi, Sejong,... a worthy end to the Medieval period

YESSSSSSSSSSSS. One of the best Generals in military history! The Master of Asymmetrical warfare, Jan Zizka!!!!!!! The Hussite Wars are easily one of the most interesting conflicts in human history and are not well known. Thank you for this video.

The Hussite wagons were very innovative and effective in turning the tide of battle during the late medieval period. Unfortunately just like armored knights, they too would become obsolete when field artillery became more prevalent on the battlefield.

What a legend this guy. I couldn't even pick my groceries with 0 eyes

The history of Central and Eastern Europe is severely underrated. Any chances for videos about the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?

Dont forget about ,in Czech history legendary, battle of Domažlice (1431) where the crusaders retreated after they heard Husites singing "Kdož Sú Boží bojovníci". Not a battle but still great example how moral in army can change things and sometimes decide entire battle

A very underrated point of history. The cracks in the Catholic Church were clear from the mid 15th century. Hussite’s were the reform before the reform …

I am Czech and I feel deep pride of Zizka and Kings&Generals channel ❤️🇨🇿

As far as I remember, Sigismund's "letter of safe conduct" was intended to protect Jan Hus on his way to Kostnice but not during his stay there (although Sigismund also protested against how Hus was treated there). Anyway, thank you very much for a video touching one of the most interesting (and intense) parts of Czech history.

Jan Zizka obviously played a bunch of total war growing up because damn boy got legendary difficulty tactics

Wagenburg tactic was founded by Czechs, improved by Hungarians and ripened by the Ottomans. Fun fact that the Ottomans called this tactic as "Tabur Cengi" (Wagenburg-style battle) which refererred to a city in Czechia, Tabor.

great man great hero of a great nation with love from Armenia 🇦🇲❤️🇨🇿

Thanks for making this video! I was a script consultant on the film Medieval and it's great to get these Czech stories out into the world.

I did not realize when I first watched the trailer for Medieval that it was a Jan Zizka story. Was planning to see it regardless, but now I have more motivation.

Ahh, finally something about my homeland! How long have I been wating for this!

Zizka never lost a battle. Not many commanders can say that. His life was a classic example of “truth is often more wild then fiction.”

Fascinating subject - I'm currently reading "The Hussite Trilogy" by Andrzej Sapkowski. I strongly recommend those books (historical novel with fantasy elements :))

Jan Zizka is also ranked, among the top 10 best generals who ever lived, and then I'm generous, because certainly in the top 3 might also work.

Glad to see the legend Žižka gets featured on this channel.

The Hungarians took over some Hussite inventions from the Czechs, when they fought with the Turks. János Hunyadi employed these Hussite wagons successfully in the battle of Jalomicia (now Romania) in 1442.

Hussite Trilogy by Andrzej Sapkowski (author of the Witcher series) is a must read if you want an interesting take on Hussite wars.

As a Czech, it's my patriotic duty not to skip commercials on a video talking about the Czech history or products. I am currently letting this video play on 2 of my devices while working. I implore all other Czechs to do the same, so we get more videos about our history, and maybe we will one day overcome what I call the Czech curse. That is, if we would invent cure for cancer, interstellar travel and open communication with God all in one day, no one outside of Czechia would know it was done by Czechs. 😁😁 Ahoj. 😉🇨🇿🍻

What Zizka achieved was impressive. He managed to defeat professional European armies filled with Knights and mercenaries using peasants and town-folks.

When you guys go to Prague, I highly recommend visiting Zizkov - the quarter named after Jan Zizka and the world's best partying spot.

Jan Zizka, one of the best commanders in history

I watched this movie the other night. It was very gripping. I imagined myself living in 1390 in medieval times. The amount of graphic violence with swords, axes, knives and improvised weapons. Some of the men were hardened warriors who seemed super human. I wish the script had more of historical context. Brit actor Michael Caine was a treat to watch. He is an accomplished actor and sharp as ever!

Jan Zizka and El Cid are probably my favorite European medieval commanders. They were incredibly talented and up against severe odds that they both overcame. Absolute legends.

About the part at 11:30; simultaneously many (although not that many) knights from Poland and the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania (Ruthenians included) came to the Hussites' aid, led by the adventurous Lithuanian prince Sigismund Korybut. It's complicated. BTW the second name of this Sigismund (not to be confused with the King talked about in this video) actually should be a patronymic derived from Korybut (Kaributas), which was his father's name, but it has so many versions in the relevant languages (Lithuanian: Kaributaitis; Belarusian: Карыбутавіч; Polish: Korybutowicz; Czech: Korybutovič; Ukrainian: Корибутович), that apparently he is just called Korybut in the English sources.

It woud be so cool to see some video about operation Anthropoid, as this year is 80th anniversary of this operation. Also huge event in Czech/Czechoslovak history. I don't think it's that well known, but the whole story and the consequences of assassination of Reinhard Heydrich are sooo interesting.

Overall a solidly researched short tribute to this grossly underrated historical figure and military innovator. Had he been born English, French, Spanish etc., he'd be a household name in Europe, and rightfully so. As a Czech, I appreciate the effort to pronounce Žižka's name correctly, although some of the other local and personal names weren't such a success, but that's quite understandable. The effort counts and it doesn't go unnoticed by us natives. There were very few factual errors, and those were mainly concentrated around the figure of the University rector, theologian, philosopher, and religious reformer Jan Hus. First of all, he was never anti-Catholic. He would consider himself the true Catholic, and it was the stereotypical debauched clergyman of the early 15th century who was the heretic in Hus' eyes. At no point did he renounce his Catholic faith, on the contrary, he lived and died convinced that what he did was right. Also, he wasn't immediately arrested and burned at stake, his trial was lengthy and in the beginning he had quite a few influential supporters inside and outside of the council, including Sigismund himself. But Jan Hus was as stubborn as a mule, and convinced about his truth and righteousness, which is best demonstrated by the fact, that the Emperor Sigismond himself visited Hus (not the other way around!) and pleaded with him to relent and come back into the fold. Bizarre as it seems, that actually did happen, and didn't win Jan Hus any favors. He treated the council members with similar attitude, believing God was on his side, and unwittingly behaving in a way that was insulting and demeaning to the ecclesiastical and secular authority, expecting that he would be given limitless opportunity to present his case and make the council members see the light. As time dragged on, the Hus trial became a very distracting sideshow of the council, that focused mainly on resolving the three Pope schism situation (as described in the video). Hus kept the council from attending to the affairs of continental importance, which didn't help him at all. This is not to say, that he was some sort of an egotistical attention-seeking narcissist, but rather a very complicated personality with a very rigid understanding of Christian morality and God's Law, utterly devoted to his faith. He wasn't an influence monger, or a medieval version of a televangelist, he truly and devoutly believed in what he preached at the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, i.e. that the Church should be poor, humble, and helping, not triumphant, pompous, hubristic, and debauched. With his burning zeal, he managed to turn all the ecclesiastical pragmatists against himself, including those who were his allies in the beginning. In the end, Jan Hus proved to be his own worst enemy at the council. For those interested in Jan Hus and the Constance Trial, I recommend the well researched works of Jiří Kejř, and especially František Šmahel, who spent ages researching historical documents in Constance archives, so his books contain a lot of original 1st source research. The key works of the latter should also be available at least in German, if not in English. As for Jan Žižka, I'm aware of the existence of some English language biographies, but I sincerely doubt those can measure up to the monumental eponymous work of Petr Čornej from 2019, for which the author won the 2020 book of the year award in Czechia. I hope it get its English translation at some point. Fun fact: Jan Hus, apart from being a theologian, philosopher, educator, and a religious reformer/firebrand, was also a linguist. It was him, who authored the orthographic reform of Czech language, that saw among other things the introduction of "háček" (to denote the specific consonants like ž, ř, š, č, ď, ť, ň). And so, Jan Žižka owes Jan Hus not only the ideological underpinnings upon which the former built his renown as an undefeated general, but also the reformed spelling of his own childhood moniker (the old spelling would be Zsizska, or something similarly dreadful).

So often, with the power of hindsight, I wonder why historical generals - especially when vastly outmatched - weren't more "creative" with their tactics and tools. Jan Zizka is definitely the exception to that!

You've mentioned 1410 Grunwald as 'arguably the largest battle ever fought in medieval Europe'. I think it would be nice to actually prepare a video (series?) on the largest (rather than most-well-known or having the biggest impact) battles of middle ages. Or maybe extend this to several periods? Or one battle per century? It would be interesting to compare data of various engagements... One little-known candidate for XVII c would be for sure battle of Berestechko....

The word howitzer is derived from the Czech word houfnice, the medieval version of the artillery was used by the Hussites in there battles.

Thumbs up for our brave Czech brethren!

As always--comprehensive, enlightening, precise, pleasant to listen to, entertaining, and you always come away knowing more than before!

After I watched medieval, I Watch this video. Jan Jizka is truly an inspiring man. i want medieval 2 made.

I haven't even watched the video yet and I already know that it is going to be amazing. Žižka was truly a madman and a genius. I have waited so long for you to expand on the Hussite wars and finally the waiting is over!

imagine fighting a blind man and still losing

I just watched the movie “Medieval “ was good and led me to look him up.

I have long appreciated the leadership of Jan Zizka. It is my opinion he surpasses the leadership and strategic skills of many others. Legend has it that after his death his skin was removed from his back, tanned, and made into a drum so he would still lead his people in battle.

That's the next one I was waiting for! Thanks a lot Kings&Generals!

This is one of the many times in history where I really feel like we're just some kind of simulation that occasionally gets a "player" to play a game, literally playing half the world by their lonesome.

Dear Bohemians and non-Bohemians, do not forget to read "Narrenturm" trilogy by author of "the Witcher", Andrzej Sapkowski. It tells the story of Hussites in mixed historical and fantasy narrative.

It's so great to see this one up! A fascinating personality and period of time.

I love idea of learning more about Central Europe and this video looks amazing as usual for kings and general. Your one my favourite history and battle channels I’ve learnt so much .

So many Czechs will check this out. Including myself. He was rather controversial, in the town where I was born Žižka massacred over 1500 people, including locals and set many houses on fire. Now the town has a quarter and a street named after him. He brought similar destruction to other Czech cities. Žižka was a darling of the communists.

Excellent video, as always. Just few notes: Jan Žižka z Trocnova is translated as Jan Žižka from Trocnov, so he was not born in place called "Trocnova", as you say in the beginning, but "Trocnov". Trocnov is today still a small village and in a vincinity of todays village, in 1956 there was uncovered a foundation of a house believed to be Žižkas home when he was young, maybe born. There is a nice park and statue of Žižka there. Matěj Vůdce is translated as Matěj the Leader. Prokop Veliký is translated as Prokop the Great. Before he got nickname "veliký" (great) he was caled Prokop Holý (Prokop the bald). Budějovice is translated to german as "Budweis". Budweiser beer anyone? Taborites got their name after city of Tábor, founded by Hussites and named after biblical mount Tabor (or Thabor) near Jerusalem. City of Tábor is till today connected with Hussites and Jan Žižka and has nice catacombs and museum of Hussites as well as historical centre. Jan Žižka was very highly idealised by Czechoslovakian Communist party. After all he gathered "peasants" with "farm tools" and fought kapitalists (nobles, knights, church...) and Germans. That is the most communist thing you can do. That made him "proto communist" as the party sugested. Communists made him look at you from everywhere and made him so famous.

Jan Zizka is one of greatest commanders in the history. Hats off.

Amazing work on the video, I am very pleased, that you did great content about our great hetman Jan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha, greeting from the Bohemian lands :).

The man, the myth, the legend who trolled the Holy Roman Emperor into depression

As a Czech, thank you for spreading our history.

Highly recommend people visit town of Tabor in Czech. Zižka's base I believe. 1 of the wagons used remains in the square.

"Surrender Sigesmund, I have the wagenburg" "You underestimate my power zizka" *charges cavalery head first, gets gunned down* "You were our king, sigesmund, you were supposed to defend hus, not arrest him"

Thank you for being so hard working

Suprisingly highly accurate depiction of his early days according to newest history book on him. kudos

Outstanding!! This was extremely helpful information!! Thank You 😊

Funny story, as I am reading current big book From Petr Cornej - "Blind" it this period doesnt necesarally means what it means today. It is rather that his vision was terrible, but he still had some sight. It is recorded that he decapitaded by himself several guys which you literally cannot do if... you know... you dont see at all :D

I recommend reading a historical Manga called Otome Sensou, Divci Valka or called Maidens War. Which features Jan Zizka and the gruesome brutality of the Bohemian/Hussite wars. Showing his ability to command women and children to defeat a knights charge etc. and his cold and calculating side.

never again will i doubt the blind commander with 50 martial leading the army in ck3

I really liked this video, as Czech i thank you guys for this video, because not many foreing channels do videos about history of my nation. Sending regards from Czechia❤️

Finally jan zizka is very underrated generals he was a military genius

We should assume that Žižka had very good lieutenants when he was blinded.

Thanks!

I remember you did cover his battles and explained in detail the Hussite movement in one of your previous medieval videos.

It would be awesome to see a full series similar to the Alexander The Great series, if ever there becomes an opportunity. Really fascinating video!

Great video. Couple weeks ago I've been to Tábor, Hussites capital. They have one of these wagons on a main square :)

Jan Zizka would have been a nightmare for the Mongols.

this guy is a military legend on par with alexander,caesar,napoleon,hannibal,scipio africanus,and others

I hadnt even heard of the movie before I watched this video. I went to go see it just a couple of days later and I'm glad I did.

*You can appreciate some of Czechia's Medieval figures from their old or modern currency designs. They are proud to showcase them in their coins and banknotes. :)*

Žižka was a great warrior, i would place him in the top 10 generals of all time.

The reason for flags with the goose on them regards the meaning of the name Huss (goose). When Jonn Huss was being burned he said/prophesied, "You can cook this goose but after me will come a swan." (Martin Luther)

I just watched a movie about him. Realy needed this video cuz I was eager to get to know more about him!!

Never losing a battle when you're opponent has more men, are professionally trained, and better equipment is simply badass. To have done it (about half of it maybe) while blind is almost over the top. Imagine trying to pitch a movie script with all that. "That's a little much, don't you think?" "It's biographical so I'm going to need you to get off my back for that."

I love the way Kings and Generals present things.

Well done with comprehensive narrative supported by superb graphics. My Czech family is from Kutna Hora.

Since childhood i love the miracle of the flying bishop in prague-thx for that panorama!

I know Pilsner Urquel is probably the most common beer consumed in the Czech Republic, but I gotta say, it's pretty damn good. Having Miller, Coors and Bud all over in the US makes me appreciate a good beer from elsewhere, and makes me salivate what else the Czechs can do with beer!

Armored carts full of peasants with converted farm implements and crude handguns for weapons being one of the early forms of armored vehicle combat is somehow wonderful to me lol. That's really making lemonade out of the lemons life's giving you lol. Thank you for another interesting video! I would be down to learn more about this guy. Stay well out there everybody, and God bless you, friends. ✝️ :)

GREAT VIDEO GUYS!