Huss, John, also called Jan Hus c.1369-1415
Bohemian religious reformer

Born in Husinetz (now Husinec, Czech Republic), from which his name derives, he studied at Prague University. In 1398 he began to lecture on theology at Prague, where he was influenced by the writings of John Wycliffe. In 1408 he defied a Papal Bull which alleged heretical teaching by continuing to preach, and was excommunicated in 1411. After writing his main work, De Ecclesia (1413, 'On the Church'), he was called before a general council at Constance, but he refused to recant and was burned at the stake. The anger of his followers in Bohemia (Hussites) led to the Hussite Wars, which lasted until the mid-15th century.