ABSTRACT

The failure of a crusade, the negotium Christi, placed a heavy theological burden on the shoulders of contemporaries. The weight of the burden varied according to the scale of the campaign, the extent of the preaching carried out for it, the gravity of the defeat and, not least, the ability of the victorious enemy to capitalise on events by questioning the validity of the enterprise. Andrew was too good a historian to overlook the material causes of Catholic failure. A generation later Pius II, in his Historia bohemica, would show his appreciation of Czech military prowess, and in particular of the genius of John ZiZka, "a mighty demonic warrior, fascinating in his invincibility and virtu. " The other material reason for Hussite success was the blunders committed by the Catholics. The stunning defeats of 1420-27 were of course infinitely more impressive than any of these somewhat obscure gains.