John of Capistrano is the principal force in the founding of the Franciscan Observants, a severely ascetic group of friars who separated from the more liberal Conventuals.

Pope Nicholas V sends him in 1451 as a legate to Germany, Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, with the special mission to preach against the Hussites and other heretical teachings and to subdue “the disbelieving Jews”, in accordance with the resolutions adopted at the council of Basel held from 1431 to 1443.

John repeats the old charges of ritual murder and host desecration.

His admirers call him “the scourge of the Judeans”.

Henry XVI, Duke of Bavaria, had died in July 1450, and his son, Louis IX (called the Rich) had succeeded.

About this time Bavaria begins to recover some of its former importance.

Influenced by Capistrano, Louis IX expels the Jews from his duchy, increases the security of traders, and improved both the administration of justice and the condition of the finances.