Jerome of Prague (c. 1370-1416)

Bohemian Church reformer. Little is known of his early years; he is said to have belonged to a noble Bohemian family and to have been a little younger than his friend, fellow reformer John Huss. He began his studies at Prague, but proceeded to Oxford University in 1398, where he was impressed by John Wycliffe's teaching. After leaving Oxford he went to the University of Paris, then to Cologne and Heidelberg, and finally returned to Prague in 1407. Here he attracted attention by his advanced and outspoken views. When the reorganization of Prague University was discussed, Huss and Jerome, as leaders of the Bohemians, incurred official hostility. Jerome went to the Council of Constance to support Huss. He was arrested, but in prison he renounced the doctrines of Huss and Wycliffe. Later, however, he again asserted the theories he had formerly advocated and was burned as a heretic.