The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Jerome of Prague

Born circa 1380; died May 30, 1416, in Constance. Czech reformer, scholar, orator, friend and associate of Jan Hus.

Jerome was educated at the University of Prague. In 1399 he was at Oxford, where he became an advocate of Wycliffe’s teaching. In 1405–06, Jerome delivered lectures at the universities of Paris, Heidelberg, and Cologne. In 1407 he returned to Prague. In his sermons and disputes, Jerome was harshly critical of abuses by the Catholic clergy, and he called for action to be taken against the monks and prelates. He fought against German dominance in Bohemia. In 1412, together with Jan Hus, Jerome spoke out against the sale of indulgences. In 1412–13 he journeyed through Poland, Lithuania, and the western regions of the Russian state and in 1414 returned to Prague. Upon learning of Hus’ arrest, he traveled to Constance, but he was captured and thrown into prison. Under pressure from an ecclesiastical council, Jerome recanted his own views. However, at the council’s public session he rejected this recantation and declared himself to be an adherent of Hus. Condemned to be burned at the stake as a heretic, Jerome died courageously.

REFERENCE

Ozolin, L.I. Iz istorii gusitskogo revoliutsionnogo dvizheniia. Saratov, 1962.

N. M. PASHAEVA

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References in periodicals archive

Their topics include a world astir: Europe and religion in the early 15th century, Wyclif's early reception in Bohemia and his influence on the thought of Jerome of Prague, determinism between Oxford and Prague: the late Wyclif's retractions and their defense ascribed to Peter Payne, interpreting the intention of Christ: Roman responses to Bohemian utraquism from Constance to Basel, preparing for Easter: sermons on the Eucharist in English Wycliffite Sermons, and re-forming the life of Christ.

Europe After Wyclif

Notwithstanding the Introduction's disclaimer, Kantik Ghosh addresses heresy and the policing of intellectual debate in the trials of Richard Fleming, Jerome of Prague, and Jan Hus, all of whom were accused of following Wyclif.

Denery, Dallas G., II, Kantik Ghosh, and Nicolette Zeeman, eds, Uncertain Knowledge: Scepticism, Relativism, and Doubt in the Middle Ages

the false teaching of Rome--with such scholars as John Wycliff, Jerome of Prague and John Huss, the central messages of the Sermons are the spiritual union with Christ through regeneration and that the history of the Church shows that God will not desert the faithful.

Reformation Readings of the Apocalypse. Geneva, Zurich, and Wittenberg. (Book Reviews)

The geographical range of the papers is extended by Peter Biller's analysis of modes of interrogation used by the inquisitors in Languedoc and Frantisek Smahel's examination of the acta of the trial of Jerome of Prague.

Barr, Helen and Ann M. Hutchison (eds), Text and Controversy from Wyclif to Bale: Essays in Honour of Anne Hudson