Defenestration

Prager.Fenstersturz.1618

097.The Death of Jezebel

O povo amotinado precipita o cadáver do bispo D. Martinho da torre da Sé (Roque Gameiro, in Leonor Telles, por Marcelino Mesquita, 1904)

Giorgio Vasari San Bartolomeo

Défenestration

Defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. The term comes from the Latin words de (from or down from) and fenestra (window or opening). Historically, defenestration has been used as a method of assassination, execution, or political protest. While the act might seem straightforward, its implications and the contexts in which it has occurred are complex and varied.

History

The most notable instances of defenestration have occurred in Prague, within the context of the religious and political conflicts that are part of the broader Hussite Wars and the Thirty Years' War. These events are specifically referred to as the First and Second Defenestrations of Prague.

First Defenestration of Prague

The First Defenestration of Prague occurred in 1419 when a crowd of Hussites threw several members of the city council from the windows of the New Town Hall. This act was a protest against the city council's refusal to release Hussite prisoners. The event led to the outbreak of the Hussite Wars, a series of conflicts fought between the Hussites and various European monarchs who sought to restore the authority of the Roman Catholic Church over Bohemia.

Second Defenestration of Prague

The Second Defenestration of Prague took place in 1618 and is more widely known due to its role in sparking the Thirty Years' War. In this instance, two Catholic Lords Regent and their secretary were thrown from the windows of Prague Castle by Protestant nobles. Remarkably, the victims survived the fall, an outcome attributed to divine intervention by Catholics and a fortunate landing in a dung heap by Protestants. This event significantly escalated the religious and political tensions in the Holy Roman Empire, leading to one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

Cultural Impact

Defenestration as a concept has transcended its literal meaning to become a symbol of political rebellion and resistance. The term is often used metaphorically to describe the act of forcefully removing someone from a position of power or authority. In literature and popular culture, defenestration is sometimes employed for comedic effect, highlighting the absurdity of the act itself.

In Modern Times

In contemporary usage, defenestration can refer to the act of throwing objects out of windows, such as furniture during a domestic dispute or electronic devices in moments of frustration. However, its historical and political connotations remain the most resonant aspects of the term.