Jan Žižka
A commander in the Hussite Wars, distinguished by his troops’ discipline and their use of fortified wagons. He led campaigns against armies seeking to subdue the Hussites and continued in command after becoming blind.
Life of Jan Žižka
The Hussite army
Žižka’s early years are poorly documented; his birth is usually placed around 1360. He rose to prominence during the Hussite Wars, which began in 1419. Associated with Tábor, he helped organise armies combining infantry, firearms and fortified wagons. In 1420 he took part in the defence of Prague and the victory at Vítkov.
References: Akademie věd České republiky · Jan Žižka, 600 años de su muerte · Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija · Jan Žižka
Campaigns and divisions
His forces fought the crusades directed against the Hussites as well as opponents within the movement. Severely wounded in the eyes, he continued to direct operations after becoming blind. He died on campaign near Přibyslav on 11 October 1424. Divisions among the Hussite factions continued after his death.
References: Akademie věd České republiky · Jan Žižka, 600 años de su muerte · Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija · Jan Žižka
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1360 Approximate
Death: 1424 Pending review
Role: Hussite commander
Other recorded names: Jan Zizka · Juan Zizka · Jan Žižka de Trocnov
Territories: Bohemia (ES)
Recorded relationships
No direct relationships are recorded for this person.
Sources for this profile
- Akademie věd České republiky · Jan Žižka, 600 años de su muerte
- Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija · Jan Žižka
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
2 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (0/2 with a precise source)
- BirthApproximate
1360
A precise source has not yet been added. - DeathPending review
1424
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
