In which, on Thursday the eighteenth of March 1428—or, as it is usually written in chronicles: in crastino Sancte Gertrudis Anno Domini MCCCCXXVIII—around 14,000 men go for each other’s throats at the Battle of Nysa. Fatal casualties among the defeated number circa M. As is customary among chroniclers, the victors’ losses are passed over in silence.

“Huss is a heretic!” chanted the front ranks of the bishop’s army arrayed on Monk’s Meadow. “Huss is a heretic! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!”

News of the Taborites marching on Nysa must have reached the Bishop of Wrocław long before—and no wonder, since it’s quite difficult to carry out a secretive manoeuvre with an army numbering over seven thousand men and close to two hundred wagons. Particularly if that army is burning every settlement on the route of the march and the surroundings, marking its path clearly with fire and smoke. Thus, Bishop Konrad had enough time to form up his soldiers. Sir Půta of Častolovice, Starosta of Kłodzko, had enough time to come to their aid. Having gathered under his command one thousand one hundred horse and nigh on six thousand peasant foot, having a powerful reserve and support in the form of armed Nysa burghers and the town walls, the bishop and Půta had decided to join battle in the field. When Prokop the Shaven appeared at Nysa, he found in the region of Monk’s Meadow armed Silesians with standards, arrayed and ready for battle. He accepted the challenge.

As the hejtmans were organising their men—which they did quickly—Prokop set about to pray. He prayed calmly and softly, entirely ignoring the insults being hurled by the Silesians.

“Huss is a heretic! Huss is a heretic! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!”

“Lord,” he said, putting his hands together. “Lord of Hosts, we flock to You in our prayers. Be our shield and protector, rock and stronghold in the perils of war and the spilling of blood. May Your grace be with us sinful folk.”

“Devil’s sons! Devil’s sons! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!”

“Forgive us our sins. Arm the soldiers with strength, be with them in battle, give them courage and valour. Be our solace and refuge, give us strength to defeat the Antichrists, our foes and Yours.”

Prokop made the sign of the cross, as did the others: Jaroslav of Bukovina, Jan Bleh, Otík of Loza and Jan Tovačovský. Prince Fedor of Ostrog, who had just returned from having burned down Malá Stínava, crossed himself in the Orthodox manner. Dobko Puchała and Jan Zmrzlík, who had returned from burning down Strzeleczki and Krapkowice, crossed themselves. Markolt, kneeling beside a bombard, crossed himself, beat himself on the chest and repeated that it was his culpa.