CHAP. LII.
A GENERAL COUNCIL IS HELD AT BASIL.
In the course of this year a general council was held at Basil with great pomp. The emperor of Germany, and many great lords, as well secular as ecclesiastic, from different countries, were present at the opening thereof. Their first object was to send ambassadors to endeavour to appease the quarrels between the king of France on the one hand, and the king of England and the duke of Burgundy on the other.
During the sitting of this council, the very agreeable intelligence was brought thither, that the men of Prague had been defeated, and from eight to ten thousand killed, by the nobles of Bohemia, assisted by six hundred men at arms, whom the members of the council had sent to their support.
Shortly after, two priests, the leaders of the Hussite-heretics, were slain; one named Protestus du Tabouret, and the other Lupus, together with six thousand of their sect. The rich city of Prague was conquered, and purged of heretics, as well as the greater part of the country. The Bohemians sent an embassy to the council to receive absolution, and a confirmation in the catholic faith.
The council laid a tax on the clergy of one-tenth.
Ambassadors arrived at Basil in great state from the king of Castille and the Spaniards: these were attended by full four hundred persons, and two hundred mules. The cardinals de Santa Croce and de San Pietro were sent by the council to Philip Maria duke of Milan, to recover the lands of the church which he had seized, but their labour was in vain.