Jerome of Prague

(c. 1370–1416)

   Theologian and Martyr.

   Little is known of the early life of Jerome. He was educated at the Universities of Prague and Paris; he was a close friend of John hus and he was strongly influenced by the works of John wycliffe. He spread his reforming doctrines in Paris, Heidelberg and Prague and was excommunicated in 1409 by the Archbishop of Prague. Later he taught in Hungary, Vienna and Cracow and in Russia and Lithuania. Everywhere he aroused the suspicions of the authorities.

   In 1415 he went to the Council of Constance, where he was put on trial. He was forced to recant and to reject the views of Hus and Wycliffe, but in the following year the trial was resumed. Jerome fearlessly stated his true opinions and was condemned to be burnt at the stake. He died reciting prayers to the Blessed Virgin mary.

   P.P. Bernard, ‘Jerome of Prague, Austria and the Hussites’, Church History, xxviii (1958);

   R.R. Betts, ‘Jerome of Prague’, University of Birmingham Historical Journal, i (1947).