Podebrady, George of

(1420 –1471) was King of Bohemia and leader of the Hussites. This predominantly religious movement was propelled by social issues and strengthened Czech national awareness. At the end of his reign George had to fight with both internal and external enemies for the very existence of the Kingdom of Bohemia, a consolidated and peaceful Czech kingdom. Ultimately he placed on the Bohemian throne the Polish Jagiello, who after George’s death in 1471 became King of Bohemia.