Sigismund

Sigismund (1368–1437), Holy Roman emperor (1433–37), king of Germany (1410–37), Hungary (1387–1437), and Bohemia (1419–37). His coronation as German king was challenged by his half-brother, the former King Wenceslaus of Germany. Sigismund was an important organizer of the Council of Constance (1417), which ended the Great Schism in the Catholic church over papal elections. His coronation as king of Bohemia was contested by the Czech religious reformer John Hus. When Sigismund offered Hus safe-conduct and then went back on the pledge and had Hus executed, the Hussite Wars broke out.

See also: Holy Roman Empire; Hus, Jan.