Jan Hus

c. 1370 – 6 July 1415

Jan Hus (c. 1370-1415) was a Czech theologian, priest, and church reformer whose preaching against clerical corruption and defense of John Wycliffe's ideas made him a forerunner of the Protestant Reformation. Condemned by the Council of Constance despite a promise of safe conduct, he was burned at the stake in 1415. His death sparked the Hussite movement and wars in Bohemia.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Jan Hus.

Life events

Born in Husinec, Bohemia
c. 1370

Hus was born to poor parents in the town of Husinec in southern Bohemia, from which he took his name.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Earned his master's degree at the University of Prague
1396

Hus received the degree of Master of Arts at Charles University in Prague, where he subsequently taught.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Ordained a priest
1400

Hus was ordained to the priesthood and began his career in the church while continuing to teach at the university.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became preacher at Bethlehem Chapel in Prague
1402

Hus was appointed preacher at Bethlehem Chapel, where sermons were delivered in Czech and where he built a wide popular following.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Elected rector of the University of Prague
October 1409

After the Decree of Kutna Hora shifted control of the university to the Bohemian nation, Hus was elected its rector.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Excommunicated for defiance of church authorities
1411

Hus was excommunicated amid disputes over Wycliffe's teachings and his opposition to the sale of indulgences.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Left Prague and wrote in exile in southern Bohemia
October 1412

Under an interdict against Prague, Hus withdrew to the countryside, where he preached and wrote his major work De Ecclesia.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Traveled to the Council of Constance and was arrested
3 November 1414 – 28 November 1414

Hus went to Constance under a safe conduct from King Sigismund to defend his teachings, but was arrested and imprisoned within weeks of his arrival.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake in Constance
6 July 1415

After refusing to recant, Hus was condemned by the Council of Constance and burned at the stake; his ashes were thrown into the Rhine.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓