96
The Great Controversy
The enemies of the Bohemians, knowing that the blind warrior was
dead, deemed the opportunity favorable for recovering all that they
had lost. The pope now proclaimed a crusade against the Hussites,
and again an immense force was precipitated upon Bohemia, but only
to suffer terrible defeat. Another crusade was proclaimed. In all the
papal countries of Europe, men, money, and munitions of war were
raised. Multitudes flocked to the papal standard, assured that at last
an end would be made of the Hussite heretics. Confident of victory,
the vast force entered Bohemia. The people rallied to repel them.
The two armies approached each other until only a river lay between
them. “The crusaders were in greatly superior force, but instead of
dashing across the stream, and closing in battle with the Hussites
whom they had come so far to meet, they stood gazing in silence at
those warriors.”—Wylie, b. 3, ch. 17. Then suddenly a mysterious
terror fell upon the host. Without striking a blow, that mighty force
broke and scattered as if dispelled by an unseen power. Great numbers
were slaughtered by the Hussite army, which pursued the fugitives,
and an immense booty fell into the hands of the victors, so that the
war, instead of impoverishing, enriched the Bohemians.
A few years later, under a new pope, still another crusade was set
on foot. As before, men and means were drawn from all the papal
[117]
countries of Europe. Great were the inducements held out to those who
should engage in this perilous enterprise. Full forgiveness of the most
heinous crimes was ensured to every crusader. All who died in the
war were promised a rich reward in heaven, and those who survived
were to reap honor and riches on the field of battle. Again a vast
army was collected, and, crossing the frontier they entered Bohemia.
The Hussite forces fell back before them, thus drawing the invaders
farther and farther into the country, and leading them to count the
victory already won. At last the army of Procopius made a stand, and
turning upon the foe, advanced to give them battle. The crusaders, now
discovering their mistake, lay in their encampment awaiting the onset.
As the sound of the approaching force was heard, even before the
Hussites were in sight, a panic again fell upon the crusaders. Princes,
generals, and common soldiers, casting away their armor, fled in all
directions. In vain the papal legate, who was the leader of the invasion,
endeavored to rally his terrified and disorganized forces. Despite his
utmost endeavors, he himself was swept along in the tide of fugitives.