Ziska

Ziska, or Zizka, John (c. 1360-1424), the hero of the Hussite War, was born of a noble family at Trocznov, in Bohemia. He struggled in vain to induce Wenceslaus to give active support to the Hussites, and was thus driven into open rebellion. After the outbreak of 1419 he was chosen commander-in-chief, and organized an army which was victorious over the Emperor Sigismund at Mount Wittkow ( July, 1420). In the following year the citadel of Prague fell into his hands, and, although a wound received soon afterwards rendered him totally blind, he gained a series of victories over the Imperial forces, which at length induced Sigismund to promise the Hussites the free exercise of their religion. Whilst the negotiations were proceeding Ziska was attacked by the plague and died before the castle of Przibislav, near Czaslau.