JEROME ON PRAGUE, the companion of John Huss, whom. he surpassed in learning and eloquence, though he was inferior in judgment and moderation, was born at Prague in the latter half of the 14th century. After attending the university of his native town, be continued his studies at Paris, Colt-gm, Oxford, and Heidelberg, and in 1399 took out his degree as master of arts and bachelor of theology. His reputation for learning was so great, that his advice was taken by Ladislas II., king of Poland, with respect to the founding of the university of Cracow in 1410; and Sigismund, king of Hungary, invited him to preach before him at Buda. He entered with his whole soul into the contest car ried on by his friend Huss against the abuses of the hierarchy anu the profligacy of the clergy. His zeal, however, carried him too far; he publicly trampled the relics under his feet, committed to prison the monks who did not share his opinions, and even ordered one of them to be thrown into the Moldau: When Huss was arrested at Constance Jerome hastened to defend him; but receiving no satisfactory answer to a letter in which he had demanded a safe-conduct from the council, he set out on his return to Prague, when he was arrested at Hirschau, in April, 1415, by the orders of the duke of Sulzbacli, and conveyed in chains to Constance. Here he was cast into a dungeon, and placed on
trial. After some months' imprisonment he recanted his opinions, but subsequently abjured his recantation with horror, and went to the stake with great firmness. lie was burned alive, May .`:.1), 1416. Jerome's life has been written by Heller !Tubingen, 183:5) and by Becker (NOrdlingen, 1858).