King Wenceslas IV

Son of Charles IV, King of Germany and Bohemia, Wenceslaus IV (1361–1419) was involved in the Hussite movement. In 1394, he ordered the murder of the advisor to the Archbishop of Prague, triggering a civil war until 1404. In 1402, he relinquished the imperial title to his brother Sigismund. His indecisive policies in Germany and Bohemia caused discontent. The revolt erupted over the conflict with the Archbishop of Prague, frustrated by John of Jenštein. Wenceslaus's brutal reaction led to his deposition (1400) in favor of Rupert. Imprisoned in Vienna (1402) by Sigismund, he escaped but did not regain the imperial title (1410), also affected by paralysis. His inaction favored the development of the Hussites. He died during an anti-Hussite uprising in Prague.