Chapter VII

THE REFORM MOVEMENT FROM THE DIET OF 1359 TO THE RETIREMENT OF
THE GERMANS FROM THE PRAGUE UNIVERSITY 154-187

(1359-1409.)

Movements of thought in the thirteenth century--Uncertainty
in their direction--The “Beghards” or “Picards.”--Position
of Charles in relation to religious reform--The
Diet of 1359--Charles’s ideas of reform--Conrad Waldhauser--The
Bohemian language question--Milic of
Kromĕr̆íz̆--Thomas of S̆títný--Growth of Bohemian literature,
and opposition of the “Masters” to it--Death of
Charles--Accession and character of Wenceslaus IV.--His
relations with the Pope--His quarrels with the clergy--Archbishop
Jenstein’s opposition--Death of John of
Nepomuc and its consequences--Wenceslaus’s relations
with the nobles--Power and policy of the Rosenbergs--Imprisonment
of Wenceslaus by the nobles--John and
Sigismund--Violence of Wenceslaus--Opposition of the
Electors to him--His deposition in 1400 from the Empire--Sigismund’s
policy in Prague--The second imprisonment
of Wenceslaus and his escape--Matthias of Janov--Founding
of the Bethlehem Chapel--Early career of Jan
Hus--Relations of the English and Bohemian Reformations
to each other--The Prague University proposals of
1403 against Wyclif--Attitude of Hus towards Wyclif--Unique
theological position of Hus--Zbynĕk and Hus--Wenceslaus
and the Council of Pisa--Attitude of rival
parties--The votes of the “Nations”--Hesitations and final
decision of Wenceslaus--The German resistance to the
decree--The two sides of the question--Retirement of the
Germans from Prague.