John Hus

The Czech reformer from southern Bohemia (Husinetz). He studied theology at the University of Prague, earning both a B.A. (1394) and the M.A. (1396) before beginning his teaching in the faculty of arts and plunging into the reform cause. After his ordination and appointment as rector and preacher at Bethlehem Chapel he came upon Wycliffe’s religious writings. He adopted at once the English reformer’s view of the church and began to circulated Wycliffe’s teachings, including his criticisms of the abuses of power in the papacy. Drawing heavily upon Wycliffe, he wrote his major work, On the Church. On his arrival at the Council of Constance he found himself a victim of the Inquisition. He lay imprisoned in Constance for eight months. On July 6, 1415 Hus was burned for heresy.