Zbynek Zajíc
Encyclopedia
Zbyněk Zajíc of Hasenburg (c. 1376 Bohemia
– 28 September 1411 in Bratislava
, Hungary
) was a Czech
nobleman, and an important representative of the Roman Catholic Church
. He was the 5th Archbishop of Prague
1403–11, succeeding Olbram ze Škvorce.
While he was initially a supporter of Czech religious reformer Jan Hus
, he later opposed his views.
.
Zbyněk was a knight, capable leader, and military adviser to the Bohemian King Wenceslaus IV
. Originally at the court of Wenceslaus, he then moved to position as provost
at Mělník
, in 1390 (at the age of 15). He was a military leader, as he led, on the King's orders, the expansion into Bavaria
.
He was not a priest and was without serious education. He later became the canon (priest)
of Vyšehrad
in 1400, and the Archbishop of Prague in November 1402 (at age twenty-six).
Originally Zbyněk respected Jan Hus, tolerating and protecting him in his reforming endeavour despite the complaining clergy. In 1403 he became the Archbishop. At that time he required Hus to report to him "absences or deviations of law" . This allowed Hus and others among Wycliffe's
sympathizers to spread reformed ideas. At the beginning of 1409 Archbishop Zbyněk entered into conflict with King Wenceslaus concerning the council in Pisa
. While the king approved of the council and the newly-elected Antipope Alexander V
, Archbishop Zbyněk remained loyal to Pope Gregory XII
. When Wenceslaus had refused to recognise any of the three existing popes (at the time) and wished to await the outcome of the council at Pisa
, Zbyněk had put an interdict
on "all who obeyed the king", meaning Bohemia in general.
Under pressure from the pope and the clergy, Zbyněk required the books of Wycliffe and others to be condemned. In September 1409 he acknowledged antipope Alexander V and, with papal blessing, he ordered the heretical works burned, and proclaimed an interdict against Hus. The King then condemned Wycliffe as well and forbade preaching outside of churches, including Hus's at Betlémská kaple. On 16 July 1410 Zbyněk ordered that the confiscated works of Wycliffe be burned, at his court in Prague. Thereafter he had to flee to save his life from an angry mob. University students were singing satirical songs such as: "Zbyněk Bishop burnt the books, without knowing what they are about", ridiculing the archbishop's illiteracy.
Wenceslaus required him to end the interdict and replace the destroyed books; Zbyněk refused and so the king stopped his income. Zbyněk Zajíc refused to give in and repeated the interdict, which led Wenceslaus to confiscate all the church treasures. After the intervention of Emperor Sigismund
, the younger brother of Wenceslaus, the archbishop restored his former relationship to the King. Still, Zbyněk Zajíc did not feel safe in Prague and so he planned to travel to Hungary
. On the way he fell ill and died in Prešpurk, today's Bratislava
.
In 1436 he was buried at the St. Vitus Cathedral
in Prague.
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
– 28 September 1411 in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
) was a Czech
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
nobleman, and an important representative of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He was the 5th Archbishop of Prague
Archbishop of Prague
The following is a list of bishops and archbishops of Prague. The bishopric of Prague was established in 973, and elevated to an archbishopric on 30 April 1344. The today's Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Prague is the continual successor of the bishoprie established in 973...
1403–11, succeeding Olbram ze Škvorce.
While he was initially a supporter of Czech religious reformer Jan Hus
Jan Hus
Jan Hus , often referred to in English as John Hus or John Huss, was a Czech priest, philosopher, reformer, and master at Charles University in Prague...
, he later opposed his views.
Life and career
Zbyněk Zajíc came from the influential Czech noble house of Zajíc of Hasenburg (Czech: Zajícové z Házmburka). He was born in 1376 (some say 1375) as the oldest son of Vilém Zajíc z Hazmburka and Anna ze Slavětína a Libochovic. He had five brothers and four sisters. Between 1395 and 1400 he possessed a sixth of the castle HazmburkHazmburk
Hazmburk is a mountain peak in the České Středohoří range found in the Czech Republic, near the town of Libochovice. The mountain has a castle at the top, composed of two towers....
.
Zbyněk was a knight, capable leader, and military adviser to the Bohemian King Wenceslaus IV
Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
Wenceslaus ) was, by election, German King from 1376 and, by inheritance, King of Bohemia from 1378. He was the third Bohemian and second German monarch of the Luxembourg dynasty...
. Originally at the court of Wenceslaus, he then moved to position as provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
at Mělník
Melnik
-Places:Bulgaria* Melnik, Bulgaria, a town in Bulgaria* Shiroka Melnishka Losa, a Bulgarian wine grape also known as MelnikCzech Republic* Mělník, a townUnited States* Melnik, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community...
, in 1390 (at the age of 15). He was a military leader, as he led, on the King's orders, the expansion into Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
.
He was not a priest and was without serious education. He later became the canon (priest)
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is a castle located in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River...
in 1400, and the Archbishop of Prague in November 1402 (at age twenty-six).
Originally Zbyněk respected Jan Hus, tolerating and protecting him in his reforming endeavour despite the complaining clergy. In 1403 he became the Archbishop. At that time he required Hus to report to him "absences or deviations of law" . This allowed Hus and others among Wycliffe's
John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe was an English Scholastic philosopher, theologian, lay preacher, translator, reformer and university teacher who was known as an early dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. His followers were known as Lollards, a somewhat rebellious movement, which preached...
sympathizers to spread reformed ideas. At the beginning of 1409 Archbishop Zbyněk entered into conflict with King Wenceslaus concerning the council in Pisa
Council of Pisa
The Council of Pisa was an unrecognized ecumenical council of the Catholic Church held in 1409 that attempted to end the Western Schism by deposing Benedict XIII and Gregory XII...
. While the king approved of the council and the newly-elected Antipope Alexander V
Antipope Alexander V
Alexander V was antipope during the Western Schism . He reigned from June 26, 1409, to his death in 1410 and is officially regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as an antipope....
, Archbishop Zbyněk remained loyal to Pope Gregory XII
Pope Gregory XII
Pope Gregory XII , born Angelo Correr or Corraro, Pope from 1406 to 1415, succeeded Pope Innocent VII on 30 November 1406....
. When Wenceslaus had refused to recognise any of the three existing popes (at the time) and wished to await the outcome of the council at Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
, Zbyněk had put an interdict
Interdict
The term Interdict may refer to:* Court order enforcing or prohibiting a certain action* Injunction, such as a restraining order...
on "all who obeyed the king", meaning Bohemia in general.
Under pressure from the pope and the clergy, Zbyněk required the books of Wycliffe and others to be condemned. In September 1409 he acknowledged antipope Alexander V and, with papal blessing, he ordered the heretical works burned, and proclaimed an interdict against Hus. The King then condemned Wycliffe as well and forbade preaching outside of churches, including Hus's at Betlémská kaple. On 16 July 1410 Zbyněk ordered that the confiscated works of Wycliffe be burned, at his court in Prague. Thereafter he had to flee to save his life from an angry mob. University students were singing satirical songs such as: "Zbyněk Bishop burnt the books, without knowing what they are about", ridiculing the archbishop's illiteracy.
Wenceslaus required him to end the interdict and replace the destroyed books; Zbyněk refused and so the king stopped his income. Zbyněk Zajíc refused to give in and repeated the interdict, which led Wenceslaus to confiscate all the church treasures. After the intervention of Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
, the younger brother of Wenceslaus, the archbishop restored his former relationship to the King. Still, Zbyněk Zajíc did not feel safe in Prague and so he planned to travel to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. On the way he fell ill and died in Prešpurk, today's Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
.
In 1436 he was buried at the St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
Saint Vitus' Cathedral is as a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral...
in Prague.