John Huss

John Huss was born sometime around 1369 in Husinec, a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, then under the Kingdom of Bohemia. Most researchers describe his parents as poor peasants, but no other detail is available about his family background.

According to available information, Huss began his education at Husinec, later going to the neighboring town of Prachaticz to complete his schooling. Thereafter, he moved to the imperial city of Prague, where he supported himself by singing. Concurrently, he began serving in various churches.

Around 1390, he entered the Charles University of Prague with arts and theology, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1393, Bachelor of Divinity in 1394 and Masters in Divinity in 1396. During this period, he displayed an extraordinary commitment to his studies. His conduct was also very positive.

In 1398, Huss began his career as the examiner for the bachelor’s degree at the Charles University of Prague. Later in the same year, he acquired the position of the Professor of Theology in the same university.

All along he must have kept in touch with the church because in 1400, we find him ordained as a priest. At that time, his intention was more secular, joining priesthood simply to acquire a good living and respect in the society. Concurrently, he continued with his academic career.

In 1401, he became the dean of the philosophical faculty at the University of Prague. Next in October 1402, he was made the Rector of the university, holding the position until April 1403. Sometime during this period, he acted as the advisor to a young nobleman called Zbyněk Zajíc of Hazmburk.

In 1402, he was appointed a preacher at Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, which was endowed in 1391 with the specific intention of providing the preaching in Czech. By the turn of the century, it had become the largest church in Europe, having 3000 members and a center for religious reforms.

Preaching in Bethlehem Chapel, ignited in Huss an interest in religion and for the first time he began to study the Bible in earnest. Slowly, he realized the importance of imbibing the teachings of the Bible in life. Very soon, he became a well-respected preacher.

This was also the time when he came across the writings of John Wycliffe, brought into Bohemia by Czech students, who went to study at Oxford. An influential dissident within the Roman Catholic priesthood, Wycliffe attacked the privileged status of the clergy and also their pompous ceremonies through his writings.

Although Wycliffe’s works were banned by the church, Huss read them with interest. He did not support all his views, but realized that there was a need to reform many practices within the church. In 1403, he translated Wycliffe work, ‘Trialogus’, into Czech and helped to distribute it.

His reform movement gained momentum when in 1403, Zbyněk Zajíc, became the Archbishop of Prague. He required Huss to report to him any deviation or absence of law within the clergy. This enabled Huss to attack a section of the clergy for their abuses, thus earning the displeasure of many.