| Battle of Sudomĕř |
| Part of the Hussite Wars |
|
|
| Combatants |
| Hussites |
Catholics |
| Commanders |
| Jan Žižka, Břeněk from Švihov |
Jindřich from Hradec, Peter von Konopischt from Sternberg |
| Strength |
| 12 war wagons with 400 infantry |
2,000 cavalry |
| Casualties |
| Heavy, at least 3 wagons destroyed |
Heavy |
The Battle of Sudomĕř was fought on March 25, 1420,
between Catholic and Hussite forces. The Hussites were led by Břeněk from Švihov (killed in the
battle) and Jan Žižka, and they were victorious. This was the second famous battle of the
Hussite Wars. The first battle, the Battle of Nekmer, was more of a Hussite
retreat than a battle. The Royalist forces pursued the Hussites, and this is why
this battle happened. At the beginning of battle, the Hussites were attacked under a white flag of truce. However, the Hussites had fortified the area. One flank was protected by the war wagons, and the others
were protected by ponds Markovec, Škaredý (let-out pond) and Prostřední. One thousand Johannites
from Strakonice led by Jindřich from Hradec (killed in the
battle) attacked war wagons placed on a slim dam with huge casaulties, but no success. After that another thousand "iron lords"
of the Royalist cavalry led by Peter von Konopischt from
Sternberg (killed in the battle Vitkov 1420) rushed a weakly held side of the enemy formation, but mired in a let-out
pond, so they dismounted, but mired again. After that, the Hussite light infantry with armoured flails could finish them easilly. The battle ended with the advance of night and fog. Zizka was then able to
escape. In the end, this was the first success out of many that the Hussites would have. The Hussite victory was amazing. Only
400 hussites (farmers and townsmen including women and children) have beaten around 2,000 cavalry (probably flaming number).
However,the ingenious use of Wagenburg tactics and choice of position by Jan Zizka would win
the day.
External links
Coordinates: 49°14′31″N 14°03′50″E / 49.24194,
14.06389
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