Everything Everywhere Daily The Defenestrations of Prague
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Jan 2, 2026 Discover the intriguing history of Prague and its unique tradition of defenestration. Explore the dramatic stories behind the famous throws of historical figures like Jan Hus and the events leading to the Hussite Wars. Uncover how the 1618 incident ignited the Thirty Years' War and the shadowy death of Jan Masaryk during the 1948 Communist coup. Dive into the broader symbolism of defenestration across various cultures, including examples from cities like Edinburgh and Lisbon. It's a captivating journey through history's more bizarre moments.
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Prague's Violent Political Tradition
- Prague developed a pattern of political violence tied to religious conflict from the 15th century onward.
- Repeated defenestrations reflected deep civic rejection of external or clerical authority.
The 1419 Storming That Sparked War
- In 1419 radical Hussite crowds stormed Prague's town hall and threw Catholic councilors from windows.
- That killing ignited the Hussite wars and plunged Central Europe into two decades of conflict.
1483 Coordinated Urban Coup
- In 1483 Utrechtwist radicals coordinated uprisings across Prague and again threw captured Catholic officials from windows.
- The coup secured urban control and purged suspected Catholic loyalists from city government.