The desecration of the hosts

The museum in Horšovský Týn houses a six-panel painting illustrating a legend that prompted the building of a nearby chapel. The legend alleges that in 1427 Jews then living in Hostouň stole seven consecrated hosts from the church in Bernartice and pierced them at home with forks and a knife until blood flowed from them, splashing the table, wall and the alleged perpetrators themselves. Terrified, they are said to have secretly buried the hosts where the chapel now stands, on a spot then covered by a small bush. The next day, when a shepherd drove his flock past, the sheep dropped to their front knees, bleating unusually loudly. The incident attracted general attention. People hurried to the spot, dug it up and found seven hosts. The parish priest carried them to the church and later sent them to the pope. The legend concludes that the accused were burned alive and all Jews expelled from the estate.