Jan Hus
A preacher and teacher at the University of Prague who advocated reform of the Church and criticised the sale of indulgences. He was condemned for heresy and executed at the Council of Constance in 1415. His memory gave its name to the Hussite movement.
Life of Jan Hus
Preaching in Prague
Hus was born in Bohemia around 1370; his birth date remains uncertain. He studied and taught at the University of Prague and preached in Czech at the Bethlehem Chapel. John Wycliffe’s ideas influenced his thinking on Church authority. His criticism of clerical behaviour and indulgences brought him into conflict with the ecclesiastical authorities.
References: Oxford Bibliographies · Jan Hus · Concordia Historical Institute · Jan Hus
Constance and Hussite memory
In 1414 he attended the Council of Constance, convened during the Western Schism, to defend his positions. He was imprisoned, tried and burned on 6 July 1415. His execution provoked a profound reaction in Bohemia. The groups that invoked his memory developed different religious and political positions and, from 1419, took part in the Hussite Wars.
References: Oxford Bibliographies · Jan Hus · Concordia Historical Institute · Jan Hus
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1370 Approximate
Death: 1415 Pending review
Role: Theologian / Reformer
Other recorded names: Juan Hus · Juan Huss · John Hus · John Huss
Territories: Bohemia (ES)
Recorded relationships
No direct relationships are recorded for this person.
Sources for this profile
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
2 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (0/2 with a precise source)
- BirthApproximate
1370
A precise source has not yet been added. - DeathPending review
1415
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
