JEROME OF PRAGUE (d. 1416), an early Bohemian church-reformer and friend of John Hus. Jerome is stated to have belonged to a noble Bohemian family and to have been a few years younger than Hus. After beginning his studies at the University of Prague, Jerome proceeded to Oxford in 1398. There he became greatly impressed by the writings of Wycliffe, of whose Dialogus and Trialogus he made copies. He soon proceeded to the University of Paris and afterwards continued his studies at Cologne and Heidelberg, returning to Prague in 1407. In 1403 he is stated to have undertaken a journey to Jerusalem. At Paris his advocacy of the views of Wycliffe brought him into conflict with John Gerson, chancellor of the university. In Prague Jerome gave offence by exhibiting a portrait of Wycliffe in his room. Jerome became a friend of Hus, and took part in all the controversies of the university. When in 1408 a French embassy to King Wence slaus of Bohemia proposed that the papal schism should be termi nated by the refusal of the temporal authorities further to recognize either of the rival popes, Wenceslaus summoned the members of the university. The re-organization of the university was also discussed, and as Wenceslaus for a time favoured the Germans, Hus and Jerome, as leaders of the Bohemians, were threatened with death by fire should they oppose the king's will.
In 1410 Jerome went to Buda, where King Sigismund of Hun gary resided, and, though a layman, preached before the king denouncing strongly the rapacity and immorality of the clergy. Sigismund shortly afterwards received a letter from the archbishop of Prague accusing Jerome. He was imprisoned for a short time. Appearing at Vienna, he was again brought before the ecclesiastical authorities. He was accused of spreading Wycliffe's doctrines, and his general conduct at Oxford, Paris, Cologne, Prague and Of en was censured. Jerome vowed that he would not leave Vienna till he had cleared himself from the accusation of heresy. He then secretly left Vienna, declaring that this promise had been forced on him. He went first to Vottau in Moravia, and then to Prague.
In 1412 the representatives of Pope Gregory XII. offered indul gences for sale at Prague, the object being to raise money for the pope's campaign against King Ladislaus of Naples. At a meeting of the members of the university both Hus and Jerome spoke strongly against the sale of indulgences. The fiery eloquence of Jerome obtained for him greater success even than that of Hus, particularly among the younger students. Shortly afterwards Jerome proceeded to Poland—it is said on the invitation of King Ladislaus. He again met with opposition from the Roman Church.
During his stay in northern Europe Jerome received the news that Hus had been summoned to appear before the council of Constance. He wrote to his friend advising him to do so and adding that he would also proceed there to afford him assistance. Contrary to the advice of Hus he arrived at Constance on April 4, 1415. Advised to fly immediately to Bohemia, he succeeded in reaching Hirschau, only 25 m. from the Bohemian frontier. He was here arrested and brought back in chains to Constance, where he was examined by judges appointed by the council. His courage failed him in prison and, to regain his freedom, he renounced the doctrines of Wycliffe and Hus. He declared that Hus had been justly executed and stated in a letter addressed on Aug. 12, 1415 to Lacek, lord of Kravai-the only literary document of Jerome that has been preserved-that "the dead man (Hus) had written many false and harmful things." Full confidence was not placed in Jerome's recantation. He claimed to be heard at a general meet ing of the council, and this was granted to him. He now again maintained all the theories which he had formerly advocated, and, after a trial that lasted only one day, he was condemned to be burnt as a heretic. The sentence was immediately carried out on May 3o, 1416, and he met his death with fortitude.
See all works dealing with Hus; and indeed all histories of Bohemia contain detailed accounts of the career of Jerome. The Lives of John Wicliffe, Lord Cobham, John Huss, Jerome of Prague and Ziika by William Gilpin (1765) still has a certain value.