Jan Hus at Calvary: The Text of an Early Fifteenth-Century 'Passio'

Abstract

The death of Jan Hus and the integration of his memory into the liturgical practices of reformed religion in Bohemia are among the most important events in early Hussite history. The text of a significant early passion narrative is published here for the first time in English translation. Questions of authorship and dating are discussed and a commentary situates the text in the immediate context of Hussite history, as well as the later Middle Ages and the tradition of Christian martyrology. Of seminal importance are specific parallels developed between Hus and Christ, the identification of the execution venue in the city of Constance with Calvary and the bold conclusion that Hus is the ultimate Christian martyr. This edition of the passio text and the accompanying commentary makes more widely accessible an important source illuminating our understanding of Jan Hus and Hussite religious practice.