honourable and wise men being there present: Simon Tysnove, bachelor of divinity; Simon de Rochezana, proctor of Pilsna; Nicholas de Stogitzin and John de Partizibram, masters of arts; also Frana Etzotronis and Jerome Dzrolonis of Prague, John de Nichintz and Jerome de Ugezd, students of the dioceses of Prague and Litomistens,[1] as witnesses of the premises. And I, James Voles, sometime son of Ambrose of Prague, by the imperial authority also of all the masters, doctors, and scholars of the famous university and study of Prague, being sworn public notary, was present at all the aftairs aforesaid, and did see and hear them all to be done in form abovesaid; but, being occupied about other weighty business, I have caused this same to be faithfully written by another notary, and have subscribed and published it with mine own hand, and have reduced it into this public form, and contirmed it with my accustomed mark and name, being desired and n required to bear witness of all and singular the premises.*
And these were the things which were done before John Huss took his journey to the general council of Constance, the which I minded briefly to rehearse; whereunto I will also annex somewhat as touching his journey thitherwards.
John Huss taketh his journey to Constance.About the ides of October, 1414, John Huss being accompanied with two noble gentlemen, that is to wit, Wencelate of Duba, John of Chlum, he departed from Prague, and took his journey towards Constance. And in every place as he passed, he notified his presence by his letters which he sent abroad, and especially in every good town, or city of name; the tenor whereof ensueth:
The Copy of the Letters which John Huss set up in the common places of the Cities which he passed through, going to the Council.
Master John Huss goeth now unto Constance, there to declare his faith which he hath hitherto holden, and even at this present doth hold, and by God's help will defend and keep even unto death. Therefore, even as he hath manifested throughout all the kingdom of Bohemia by his letters and intimations, willing before his departure to have satisfied and given an account of his faith unto every man, who should object or lay any thing against him in the general convocation holden in the archbishop of Prague's court: so likewise he doth manifest and signify, that if there be any man in this noble and imperial city, who will impute or lay any error or heresy unto him, that he should prepare himself to come unto the council, forasmuch as the said Master John Huss is ready to satisfy every man at the said council, who shall lay any thing unto his charge as touching his faith.
How John Huss was received by the way, going up to the council.In all cities as he passed by, and principally when he was departed out of Bohemia and entered into Almain, a great number of people huss did come unto him, and he was very gently received and entertained by his hosts through all the towns of Germany, and especially by the citizens and burgesses, and oftentimes by the curates; insomuch that to the
the said Huss did confess, in a certain epistle, that he found in no place so great enemies as in Bohemia. And if it happened that there were any bruit or noise before of his coming, the streets were always full of people who were desirous to see John Huss, and gratify[2] him; and, amongst all others, especially at Nuremberg, where certain merchants who went before, and certified the citizens of
↑"Litomistens." Leutomischl, or Litomysl. A manufacturing town in Bohemia, formerly a bishop's see.—Ed.
↑"Gratify him," do him a good turn. Bailey's Etym. Dict.—Ed.
