Hussites

The Hussites were the followers of Jan Huss, a Czech theologian who, in the late 14th and early 15th century challenged to doctrines of the Catholic church, including some of those that would later be challenged by Martin Luther, such as indulgences. The Hussites rose up after the Huss was burned at the stake for heresy. The church declared a Crusade against the Hussite, who responded with innovative tactics known as Wagenberg, in which a ring of wagons, lined with spearmen, crossbowmen, and hand cannoneers were successfully used to defeat larger forces of armored knights. The Hussites were among the first military forces to sucessfully use gunpowder-based weapons in battle. It took five crusades, until 1434 to defeat the Hussite Revolt.