The Hussites
The Hussites were a pre protestant movement from the Czech kingdom of Bohemia in the early fifteenth century. They followed the teachings of Jan Hus, the educated son of a Bohemian peasant who became a Rector of Prague University in 1402. During his studies, Hus read some of the writings of John Wycliffe, which had made it to Europe-, and they profoundly influenced his thinking. They led Hus to revise his beliefs about the church, the state and the rights of ordinary people.
Like Wycliffe, Hus became convinced that all should have the freedom to read and preach the word of god. He was also convinced that the church should return to its poor roots and abandon secular influence. The penalties for mortal sins should also be equal and applied to all people, regardless of status in society. Finally, the celebration of communion should include wine as well as bread for the laity- instead of being limited to just the host. For this reason, the chalice became a symbol of the Hussite movement.
However, these teachings offended the church, and in 1408, Hus was banned from his religious duties. Although popular support kept him in his post as rector, the Archbishop of Prague began to draw up charges of heresy on the basis that Hus was teaching Wycliffe’s heretical word. In 1411, the Church excommunicated Hus. However, he had the support of both the people and the nobility, who stood to profit from a diminished catholic church. Hus’s teachings excited many Czech in particular because the establishment of an independent Church from Rome would do much for the Czech Nationalist cause
By 1413, Hus had overreached himself, and King Wenceslas of Bohemia advised him to leave Prague. Hus went into hiding with some of his noble friends. However, in 1414, Hus was tricked out of hiding to attend a Church council in Constance. Safe passage was promised, however once in Constance, Hus was arrested and tried for heresy. On July 6, 1416, he was burned at the stake after refusing to recant his heresy. Hus’s death, far from killing his cause, ignited it. The nobles, inspired by the thought of greater secular freedom encouraged Hussite preachers and began to ignore bishops on all but biblical matters. Finally, they broke with Rome.
The Hussite wars began. The pope ordered crusades against the Hussite territories, which now included Moravia, Silesia and the Slovakian districts of the Kingdom of Hungary. However, in the end, the Hussite forces overcame the papal troops. The Hussite territories were free to worship and govern on their own terms. Ironically, Catholicism was re-imposed in 1620 after the loss of the Hussite regions by the Protestants after the Thirty Years War. However, the success of the Hussite cause warned the Catholic Church that European society, as a whole was ready for a change.
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