Jan Hus between Time and Eternity: Reconsidering a Medieval Heretic

by Thomas A. Fudge

Overview

This study is a reconsideration of Jan Hus, a late medieval Bohemian priest who was burned at the stake six hundred years ago. His death sparked a social revolution. This book considers his role as a priest and reformer in Prague, his martyrdom in Germany, and his legacy. It attempts to provide an evaluation of Hus in the context of the medieval world, especially by engaging in alternative perspectives of his life and work. The core themes and arguments are revisionist. These include seeing Hus properly as a heretic, exploring Hus as a medieval man interested in more than preaching, religious practice, and reform. The book sets out to challenge traditional assumptions and seeks less to contribute to monument-building than to challenge the prevailing views about Hus and the interpretation of his life and thought. A conscious effort has been undertaken to explore the historical relevancy of Hus and to assess his contemporary significance. The book also places Hus into a comparative context with the Reformation of the sixteenth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498527507
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/25/2015
Pages:	298
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Thomas A. Fudge is professor of medieval history at the University of New England in Australia.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Priest and Reformer in Prague
Chapter 1: Did Hus’ “Spirituality” Influence Women and Religious Practice in Bohemia?
Chapter 2: The Sex Life of Jan Hus
Chapter 3: The Eschatological Hus in an Apocalyptic Age
Part 2: Martyr at Constance
Chapter 4: Hus on Trial: Seeing the Accused through the Eyes of his Enemies
Chapter 5: Preaching against Heretics at the Council of Constance
Chapter 6: Friendship and Faith: The Prisoner and the Knight
Chapter 7: “The Other Sheep”: Reflections on Heresy by a Suspected Heretic
Part 3: Legacy to the World
Chapter 8: A Curious Absence: Jan Hus in the Hussite Crusade
Chapter 9: Hus in Genealogies of Heresy and Alternative Models of Apostolic Succession
Chapter 10: The Seven Last Words of Jan Hus
Epilogue: Politicizing the Legend of Jan Hus: Problems and Perspectives
Appendix: John Chlum in Correspondence from the Council of Constance

Editorial Reviews

Modern research on the Bohemian heretic Jan Hus (d. 1415) is intimately tied in with the seminal work by Thomas A. Fudge.... [Fudge's] enormous productivity is now nicely complemented by the present publication.... Fudge proves to be an amazing expert who has all the relevant primary materials at his fingertips and can thus quarry them anew for hitherto disregarded and yet important aspects, shedding significant life on this religious leader.

Sixteenth Century Journal

This is a lively and readable study, filled with surprises (unusual subjects of research, original methods to get close to Hus’s ideas and context, and new conclusions). It will be of interest to scholars of late medieval heresy and Church politics, and those interested in Luther and the Reformation. It is warmly recommended.

Parergon

Reflecting his magisterial command of sources both primary and secondary, in this stimulating study Dr. Fudge explores a wide range of issues related to Jan Hus. At times passionate and personal, his book effectively examines the subtleties and shadows of topics not normally central to treatments of Hus. Dr. Fudge brings to these matters a healthy revisionist approach that touches Hus’ life and the myths and legends that have surrounded him. Dr. Fudge’s efforts represent both a sure stimulus to further scholarship and a ringing affirmation of Hus’ own ideal that the truth should prevail.

Paul Knoll

The historical reputation of Jan Hus, the reforming Czech preacher executed for heresy by the Council of Constance in 1415, has been too long the captive of religious and nationalist agendas. In this challenging book, Thomas Fudge undertakes a revision of the simplistic hagiography of Hus the martyr. His book gives us material on under explored topics like Hus’ attitude toward women and sex, as well as his views on heresy. Fudge also gives overdue attention to Hus’ foes and their opinion that he was stiff-necked and arrogant. Anyone interested in Hus and those who challenged orthodoxy in Bohemia during the period after his death will want to factor into their assessments a sustained reading of Fudge’s latest book.

Thomas Izbicki

Thomas Fudge has redefined the understanding of Jan Hus for the English-speaking world, questioning long standing assumptions and revealing the historical and theological roots of Hus's hagiography and his demonization. In this new collection of essays, Dr. Fudge shows how he continues to encourage new approaches to Hus on the 600th anniversary of his death at Constance. These essays, delivered at conferences across the globe, show how Hus continues to arouse strong feelings and occasionally intense debate.

Stephen E. Lahey

Once again, the tireless Thomas Fudge has found riches in old mines that we thought were played out, beginning with Hus on women’s spirituality and Hus on sex, and ending with some sharp comments on turning Hus into a political hero. Fudge is risk-taker, free with his opinions, and never dull.

Gerald Christianson

Fudge’s book is particularly welcome because he offers a wider English-speaking readership a route to modern scholarship about Hus.... this is an extremely valuable collection of studies that challenges current views of Jan Hus and will prove valuable to students and scholars alike.

Canadian Journal of History