Bohemian Brethren

Bohemian Brethren, a religious society, instituted in Prague about the middle of the 15th century, originally composed of remnants of the Hussites. In 1453 they settled on the borders of Silesia and Moravia. The Thirty Years' War entirely broke up the societies of the Brethren; but afterwards they united again, though persecuted. Their exodus and settlement in 1722 on the estates of Count Zinzendorf (q.v.) in Saxony, occasioned the formation of the Herrnhuters. See MORAVIANS.