Prokop the Great
Hussite general and Taborite leader in the Hussite Wars.
Prokop the Great (c.
- field
- Military leadership, religion
- nationality
- Czech (Bohemian)
- known_for
- Leading Taborite forces in the Hussite Wars; victories at Ústí nad Labem and Domažlice; peace negotiations at Cheb; embassy to the Council of Basel
Lore & Background
Initially a member of the moderate Utraquist wing of the Hussites, he was a married priest who had received the tonsure early in life. He studied in Prague and traveled abroad for several years before returning to Bohemia, where he became the most prominent leader of the advanced Hussite or Taborite forces during the latter part of the Hussite Wars.
Reader's Guide
Prokop the Great's significance lies in his military leadership during the later phase of the Hussite Wars, where he secured decisive victories that forced the Holy Roman Empire to negotiate. However, internal divisions among the Hussites, including a revolt by his own army at Plzeň, weakened Taborite discipline.
Did You Know?
- Prokop the Great was a married priest who had received the tonsure early in life.
- He was not the immediate successor of Jan Žižka as leader of the Taborites, as has been frequently stated.
- The fourth rifle regiment of Czechoslovak legions was named after him in July 1917.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prokop the Great?
Prokop the Great was a Bohemian military commander and Taborite leader who rose to prominence during the Hussite Wars in the early 1400s. He is best remembered as the chief strategist behind Tabor's field armies and a driving force in the Hussite cause.
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