John Huss and the Hussite Wars - James Aitken Wylie

eceived from Sigismund, when he ascended the
throne, that lenient treatment which a conqueror
rarely denies to an enemy whom he despises. He
gave them the city of Tabor, with certain lands
around, permitting them the free exercise of their
worship within their allotted territory, exacting in
return only a small tribute. Here they practiced the
arts and displayed the virtues of citizens.
Exchanging the sword for the plough, their domain
bloomed like a garden. The rich cultivation that
covered their fields bore as conclusive testimony to
their skill as husbandmen, as their victories had
done to their courage as warriors. Once, when on a
tour through Bohemia, AEneas Sylvius came to
their gates; and though "this rascally people" did
not believe in transubstantiation, he preferred
lodging amongst them for the night to sleeping in
the open fields, where, as he confesses, though the
confession somewhat detracts from the merit of the
action, he would have been exposed to robbers.
They gave the future Pope a most cordial welcome,
and treated him with "Slavonic hospitality."
About the year 1455, the Taborites formed
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