Jan Hus (John Huss)

John Huss was born about 1372 to a poor Bohemian family. In 1390, he began his studies at the University of Prague. In 1401, Jerome of Prague brought many of John Wycliffe's more radical works to Bohemia (essentially modern—day Czech Republic). Around this same time (1402), Huss was elected rector and preacher of the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague. Greatly influenced by Wycliffe, Huss began to echo his teachings—that the authority of church leaders was corrupt and the Word of God could be the only true guide.

In 1403, the writings of Wycliffe were banned from the University of Prague; however, this was due to the vote of the German majority. In fact, there were three times as many Germans than Bohemians. Nevertheless, by 1409 the king of Bohemia was able to oust the German majority (which resulted in the Germans founding their own university in Leipzig) and appointed Huss as rector of the University of Prague.

Huss met immediate resistance from the Archbishop of Prague, a man named Zbynek. The archbishop secured a mandate from the pope that forbid preaching in all chapels, but Huss refused to obey this command and continued to preach. As a result, the Archbishop of Prague excommunicated Huss in 1410. At this same time, the archbishop ordered that 200 volumes of Wycliffe's works be publicly burned.

Tensions in Papal Europe continued to escalate, and in 1412 Pope John XXIII began a crusade against Naples. Enraged even more by the ungodly actions of the pope, Huss spoke out against Rome even more fervently. As a result, Huss was officially excommunicated from the headquarters in Rome and the entire city of Prague was placed under papal interdict (which denied all citizens access to the Church and its sacraments) until Huss could be removed. Huss eventually complied and withdrew to southern Bohemia, where he spent his time writing.

In 1414 the Council of Constance began attempts to heal the Great Papal Schism (during which there were three rival popes). Emperor Sigismund invited Huss to attend and promised to give him safe conduct. Huss was hesitant but decided to go. Within a month, he was captured by papal loyalists and imprisoned. Huss waited in prison until his trial on July 6, 1415. The authorities at the council demanded that Huss recant his beliefs, but he refused. As a result, Huss was dragged outside of the city and burned at the stake.

Huss's martyrdom enraged his followers in Bohemia. Civil war eventually broke out, but the reform movement continued. Eventually, the followers of Huss became connected with the Waldensians, and during the Protestant Reformation they merged with the followers of Martin Luther and John Calvin.

Some of John Huss's important works include: The Church and Simony.