The years of Jiří of Poděbrady’s reign saw stability and cultural evolution. The years following his death, however, were rife with conflict.
Shortly before his passing, Jiří urged the Czech Estates to offer the crown to a Jagellonian, specifically the young Polish prince Vladislav II. In Moravia, Jiří’s son-in-law, Mátyás Korvin of Hungary, began an anti-Hussite crusade and established himself as King of Bohemia, though he was only recognized in Moravia. In effect, Vladislav II ruled Bohemia and Mátyás ruled Moravia, though both used the title of King of Bohemia.
It was also evident that Catholics and Utraquists (Hussites) would not coexist. During the Prague Uprising of 1483, Vladislav’s councillors were murdered and replaced by Utraquist leaders. Finally in 1485, the Catholics and Utraquists reached a formal agreement which declared religious tolerance, effectively ending the Hussite wars. A century of religious conflict finally ended — just in time for the Protestant Reformation to sweep across Europe.
The 16th century was one of cultural activity, especially in towns of the Czech lands — not just in Prague. The Literary Brethren, essentially church choirs comprised of burghers (wealthy citizens), was the center of musical culture. They carried on the tradition of chant singing in the vernacular, and even began to embrace Flemish polyphony.
Religious song flourished, and printed hymn books were readily disseminated thanks to the arrival of the printing press to the Czech lands. Secular songs were also printed, mostly of topical and historical subjects, many of which are still preserved today. Vocal repertoire of this period was mostly homophonic, with lute or organ accompaniment.
The Czech aristocracy began to embrace musical ensembles during the 16th century, even going so far to import foreign music. Interestingly, the 200 years between the Hussite Revolution and the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) saw music in the Czech lands evolve from that of self-imposed isolation to embracing greater European trends — a topic which will appear again following WWI.
