Jan Hus a husitské války
Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars
The Czech reformer a century before Luther: Jan Hus, who preached in Czech against a rich and corrupt Church, was branded a heretic and burned at the stake in Konstanz in 1415 — his death igniting the Hussite Wars and making him a lasting symbol of moral courage.
You will practice: Past passive (byl pozván, zatčen, upálen), aby + subjunctive for purpose/wish (aby rozuměli, aby obhájil), za + accusative (označili za kacíře), and přestože for concession.
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- knězpriest
- reformátorreformer
- stoletícentury
- kázatto preach
- církevchurch (institution)
- odpustkyindulgences
- hříchsin
- skromnosthumility, modesty
- kacířheretic
- koncil(church) council
- králking
- zatknoutto arrest
- upálitto burn (at the stake)
- smrtdeath
- hněvanger, wrath
- následovníkfollower
- kalichchalice
- pravdatruth
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. Where did Jan Hus preach?
2. What did Hus criticize about the Church?
3. Why did he preach in Czech?
4. What happened to Hus in 1415?
5. What symbol did the Hussites choose?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Czech reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.