The teachings and dissent of John Wycliffe found greater support in Bohemia because it was joined to a strong national party led by John Hus. The Czech reformer came from peasant parents in southern Bohemia, a small town called Husinetz. When Hus was burned on 6 July 1415 the Bohemian rebellion, as it came to be called, refused to die with him. It developed a moderate and a militant wing. The moderates were called Utraquists, a term from Latin for "both" since their primary protest called for freedom to receive Communion in both the bread and the cup. The militants were called Taborites after the city in Bohemia that served as their chief stronghold. These followers of Hus struggled against the Roman Church and the German Empire until several wars reduced their number and influence. Yet despite the best efforts of the papacy to bring an end to the Bohemian heresy an independent church survived know as the Unitas Fratrum, or Unity of the Brotherhood. Until the coming of Luther, it remained a root in dry ground.
[tags]BlogRodent, Bohemian-Rebellion, church-history, ChurchRodent, history, John-Hus, Reformation, John-Wycliffe, Wycliffe[/tags]
