(anticipatory music) - [Man] Dear Christians, I
ask you to live according to God's law, to see to
your salvation, and listen to the word of God. Beseech the Lord, to grant
you the wisdom, patience, humility and courage to
persevere in his truth. (foreboding music) - [Narrator] The names
of many important people feature in the history of
the European Reformation. There was John Wycliffe
in England, John Calvin in Switzerland, and
Martin Luther in Germany. In the Czech lands it
was John Hus, who dreamt of a better church, honest
priests and more pious bishops. For this reason he became a
symbol of Christian integrity, not only to the Czech nation but
also to the whole of Europe. But who was John Hus, what
do we know about his life and his ideas? Master John Hus is currently
imprisoned in the lakeside German town of Constance. But our story begins with
another man. A man whose life was forever
changed by his association with Hus. (cheerful music) (frolicking music) - Hey you there, do you hear me? - Yes sir, it's noisy here. - Do you know this place? - Of course, Constance is my
home. - I got a bit lost, I'm
looking for my brother, Francesco Tallio. - Hmm, I don't know any Tallio. - He's here with the council. - The council is full
of prelates and lords. Do you know where he lives? - A moment, he wrote to me. (dog barking) - That's enough. Stop it. - What's that? - Oh forgive me sir, I didn't
mean you, I meant this one, our heretic. - The dog is a heretic? - Well why not? Anyway he is always barking like
a madman. And this morning he ripped
my skirt, here you see. - Is, is that your idea of a
heretic? Barking and ripping skirts. - Uh, I don't know sir. Our parson said that... I don't understand it. - Yes I see, and you at least
know where Island Street is? - No I know that, it's not far. Go further down the alley
to St. Peter's Church, you'll see big houses. - Well, will take some time. Here you are. (foreboding music) - [Narrator] The famous council
taking place in Constance at that time ranked among the
biggest and most important events in the history
of the Catholic Church. However, to Czech Christians
it is primarily associated with the martyrdom of John Hus. Today we only have one
pope, but there was a time when there were three. Believers were troubled by
this as they could not be sure which pope was the rightful one. This is one of the reasons
why the council was convened and went on for four long years. - Your eminence do you need
anything? - I always need something
Tallio. - Oh, are you dissatisfied? - No not at all, we're
really being looked after like royalty. - We're doing our best to see
you have everything you need here in the council, after
all it is a serious issue. - Do you mean this schism? - Hmm-mm.
- Hmm, yes. It is destroying the church
and it has gone on too long. I was 20 when the turmoil began. Today Tallio I am old man
and it's still not over. - Even the Council of Pisa
didn't help. - Didn't help? They made it even
worse! Instead of two popes we now have
three, and the power was given to
the joker who calls himself John XXIII. I'd better keep my mouth shut. - Your eminence, I hope
you don't think that, not a word will leave this
place. - Of that I'm sure, Tallio. My mind is preoccupied
with a very burning issue, relating to one John Hus. - The Czech heretic? He proclaims that the
church should be poor and that everyone should
listen to their own conscience. (scoffs) This harms the church more
than the entire schism, but the cause of this is
Wycliffe, who we should've forced to
recant, or even have him... - Have him what? Burned to death? - What else is there,
they shall be a stubble, the fire shall burn them. - Ah the prophet Isaiah. I see that you've been studying
Tallio. But would it be prudent? - Prudent, I'm afraid I don't
understand. - There's a saying that
one reformed heretic serves the church more than a
hundred burned to death. If we burned Hus, all
Bohemia would revolt, all at once they'd have
their very own martyr. And the church truly won't stand
for that. - But, what can we-- - We need Bohemia calm, Tallio. Sigismund gave Hus safe
conduct to ensure his security, the pope had to cancel
the anathema in order that the council could be in
session, Hus must be persuaded to recant. He'd save his life and lo,
the issue would be resolved. - And you would let him walk
away? - Certainly not. He'll end up in a monastery,
somewhere in the hills. And well guarded. - And what role should
I play, your eminence? - Your brother spent many
years with the Inquisition. His achievements are known to
me. - Robert, I expect him any day. - Excellent Tallio. I want to make him an offer. - [Narrator] John Hus
originally believed that at the council, in the presence
of learned theologians, he would be able to defend his
teaching. But even though he came
to Constance with numerous companions from Bohemia,
and with the safe conduct of the Roman Emperor Sigismund,
he was eventually tricked and was arrested and jailed. (hallowed music) - Dear Robert. - Francesco. - At last, I expected you
yesterday. - I got a bit lost, this place
is chaos. - Well not surprising,
come eat, have a rest. - I didn't come to
Constance to have a rest. I wanna see the council. To meet all the important
people, bishops and cardinals. - Yes, yes, you can do that. But I have something special for
you. - Well, out with it. - You should keep a close
eye on a heretic in prison. - I'm to guard a heretic? You have jailers don't you? I can't be locked up in the
jail because of a prisoner. - This isn't just any prisoner. This one threatens the
whole sacred church. - So, to the fire with him! - Well I thought so too, till
yesterday. Until I spoke to Zabarella. - To Zabarella? - He needs to find out what
the heretic has in mind. And whether it is even
possible to make him recant. - I should spy on him? - I promised you'd do it. (scoffs) Dear Robert, consider it. Zabarella has power, if you
help us, the church will never forget, and you can
be sure that the reward will be generous. - Who's the prisoner? - A certain Hus, John Hus, a
priest. - I don't know of any Hus. - Nevermind, sit down please,
I'll explain everything. (calming music) - [Narrator] Although many
books have been written about John Hus, we still do not
know everything about him. For example his exact
date of birth is unknown. He was a diligent student
at Prague University. He became a master of
liberal arts, graduated in theology at the
prestigious Charles University in Prague, and in 1400 he
was ordained as a priest. Hus himself wrote about
the motives which brought him to priesthood. (foreboding music) - [John] Therefore, I
confess my wicked desire that when I was a schoolboy,
I thought about soon becoming a priest in order to have a
good livelihood, and robes, and to have the respect of the
people. - [Announcer] Young John
seemingly enjoyed the pleasures of student life to the full. He liked playing chess,
feasting, drinking, and the good company to be found
in pubs. At the same time however,
he studied several tracts written by English
reformer John Wycliffe. And copied them for his
friends and other students. These tracts greatly
influenced his thinking. While preaching at Bethlehem
Chapel in 1402, he began pointing a finger at the abuses
of the church and society. - Most of all faithful
Christians strive for the power, for the privilege of being
God's children, seek no other power, one strives to be
a rich, mighty bishop. Someone else even a king who
has power over his subjects. Others want to be lovely,
others powerful, wealthy. Those who embrace Christ
and believe in his name have the God-given right
to be God's children. And that is truly better,
that is more dignified than being the pope or
a king with a kingdom. Therefore faithful
Christians, first and foremost care about the power to be God's
sons. (hallowed music) - [Narrator] John Hus preached
that a priest living in mortal sin cannot celebrate
mass with dignity, and that everyone is equal before God. Rich and poor, men, women and
children. He also explained that
people should look only for the truth in the Bible. Bethlehem Chapel was
crowded during Hus' sermons, all sorts of people came to hear
him. City councilors, nobility, and
criminals, prostitutes from the
nearby market and even Bohemia's Queen Sophia. At
first Hus even had the support of the King of Bohemia,
Wenceslas IV, and the Archbishop of
Prague, Zbynek Zajic. Gradually however they
both turned away from him. It was here that Hus began
his journey to execution at the stake. (hallowed music) - Who's there? - Robert Tallio. - Another jailer? - Who were you expecting? - I would like to see my
friends. What about the council? King Sigismund has come. - You don't think he'll save
you? - I have the word of the king,
guarantee. - Guarantee for a heretic,
nonsense. - I came to the council
to defend my teaching, I am not a heretic. - Tss, you and your teaching. - Wait, could I at least
write a letter to my friends? - Don't even ask me. (foreboding music) - [Narrator] Hus was apparently
unaware of the danger he was in at the council. Even
friends in Prague warned him before he left for Constance.
Sigismund's promise of safe conduct however, gave
Master John a sense of security. Perhaps he also imagined
that his defense before the council would be a
scholarly disputation, rather than a judicial
process in which he would not be able to defend himself. (thunder rumbling) (cheerful music) - Listen to me, I say that
the council will rightly condemn Hus. Do you know
how much dissent his sermons have caused in Bohemia? Trouble is really brewing. - Have you heard him preach? - I do not care for the
talk of any heretic. - I went to Bethlehem
Chapel whenever I could, and I know that Master
John is not a heretic, he's not against God. He wants to make Christians
return to the scriptures, to follow the Bible, and not
the words of corrupt priests. They reproached him for
preaching against simony and indulgences, well
he did. But can you buy a clear
conscience? - Indulgences are sold
everywhere. - That doesn't mean it's right. How can you lie, steal, kill,
fornicate, then buy an indulgence
and just be forgiven? Do you think that's the way
Christ intended it to be? - Don't blaspheme! And how do
you know what Christ intended? And the church needs to raise
money. Indulgences pay for a
crusade, a holy cause. - What do you mean holy cause?
Is anyone going to win back the holy grail from
the pagans? Not these days. They're just fighting
amongst themselves for power. - Come on!
- You're drunk. Wine sir. - This one I've met. How's Heretic the dog? - And for me, when do I get
some. - Sorry sir, I'll bring more. - Who's that girl? - She helps out here in the
evening. - And not only that, you know
how it is with these girls. - She's a, a prostitute? - Of course. For a groschen
you can spend a night that you are never likely
to forget. Hey Margaret. How many groschen for the night? - One. - So, there you are. - [Narrator] The Ecumenical
Council held in the city on the shores of Lake
Constance, drew 23 cardinals, hundreds of archbishops,
bishops, abbots and university masters, not
to mention kings and princes, nobles and knights. According to reports there
were 350 street traders, 170 tailors, 45 bartenders, 516 trumpeters, fiddlers,
pipers, jugglers, and more than 700 prostitutes. (calming music) - What's the matter? You're as miserable as sin. You're supposed to cheer
men up, not make them cry. - Oh, how could I ever forget? - So, what is it? - Do you think I enjoy this? Happy to go to bed with any man
who pays. - I have no idea. So what do you want? - An ordinary life, family,
children. Do you think I want too much? (scoffs) - Take it. (weeping) (ominous music) - [Narrator] In the
meantime bishops and lawyers sent by the council
visited Hus in his cell in the Dominican Monastery. They interrogated Hus,
questioned him about his
teaching and tried to convince him
to recant, but Hus stuck to his convictions. - False messengers,
preachers of the Antichrist, collect money for the
forgiveness of sins. The pope is like a God, God on
Earth, who can forgive the
sins of anyone he wants, whenever he wants, liar. Don't they say what Jesus said? If you do not pay penitence,
you will all perish. - Really, all of us? - Robert, didn't know you were
there. - You have a fever, you're
shivering. - May they be forgiven,
may they be forgiven, may they be forgiven,
may they be forgiven. - Forgiven, who? - Those who want me to recant. They may believe that they
will manage to break my spirit with the cold and (mumbling). I'm only human, Christ
suffered infinitely more, and still he was able to
forgive his tormentors. - You're right, it is not easy
to forgive. I know that you preach
against indulgences, but isn't it easier to
simply buy forgiveness? - If one could simply buy
forgiveness, what would be the point
in Christ's sacrifice? - The whole city is talking
about you, you're a famous person. - (mumbling) even more likely
that the council condemn me. - But you have some good friends
here. - Have you seen them? - At least one, quite a young
man. He said that he had been
to all your sermons. - Peter of Mladonovice,
our cleric, he's good with the Czech nobles. I'd love to see them. - Maybe you could write to
them, but nobody must know. - Thank you Robert, thank you,
thank you. - [Narrator] It was at
the university in Prague that Hus' ideas began to take
shape. Today Christians receive the
body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread
and wine, during a mass or communion service. In
medieval times, disputes about the form in
which Christ was present in the Eucharist, divided
the whole of society. Those who trespassed against
the official teaching of the church were
often punished by death. John Hus and his friend Stephen
Palec-- - Stephen! - [Narrator] were enthusiastic
about the writings of the English reformer John
Wycliffe. - That's wonderful! - [Narrator] Wycliffe condemned
the church for the accumulation of
property, calling for a return to the poverty of apostolic
times. He even called the pope the
Antichrist. But the church clamped down on
him. Wycliffe's theses were
declared heresy and his books were burned. The Archbishop
of Prague Zbynek Zajic took a stand against him,
and anathematized Hus for teaching them, and an
edict was declared over Prague which meant a ban on performing
religious ceremonies, baptisms, weddings, and
funerals, for the period of his stay in the city. It had
disastrous consequences for everyday life. - Stephen, welcome, what's the
matter? - Can't you see John, the
entire faculty is upside down, you set people against the
church, you must stop it. - What do you mean, must stop
what? - Those errors of yours. - My errors, how can you say
that! We were reading Wycliffe
together, we were both excited! Have you forgotten? - That, that was a
mistake, you know Wycliffe is a heretic, his books
were burned in public John. I've come to warn you, it's
high time you came to your senses, recant your teaching. - I can't and I won't do that. Stephen, you know what the truth
is. - But this is not about the
truth. - No, so what is it about? - About life, about dear
life, your life, naturally. - I preach only what the Bible
says. - You infringe on their
privileges, criticize them, set people against them,
incite them not to obey them. How can you think the
powers would let it lie, even if you're right a thousand
times! - I don't understand you. You cannot deny the truth. Even if it costs a life. - Excuse me. I see that there's no helping
you now. (ominous music) - [Narrator] How was it
possible that these friends became so alienated?
Stephen Palec supported Hus in his fight against
indulgences, but then turned away from him. Perhaps it was due to his
imprisonment in Bologna, in
1408. What we know for certain
is that in Constance, Stephen Palec tried hard to
ensure that Master John was burned at the
stake. (hallowed music) - Master, you have a fever
again. - [John] And a splitting
headache, I have toothache. - Then this will help you. - A cure for the gentlemen of
the council? - Nobody knows of this. - You're kind to me Robert,
what's changed your mind? - I don't know, at first I
had no doubts that you were a heretic, but now... - You have no idea how
happy I am to hear it. But it is dangerous for you. - I'm not a jailer. In Italy I was the scourge
of the heretics and here, here I'm a spy. They want me to report your
every word. - Have you? - It's getting harder and
harder, it's too much. - You told them about my
letters? - No, I told no one. - [John] I'm so glad Robert,
I appreciate you telling me. - Don't you blame me? - Would Christ condemn you? (groaning) - [Robert] Have some more
medicine. - No, no, no, no.
- Please. - I need a clear head. I have to write, I canceled
talks, talks of me, as an (mumbling). Help me Robert. I must fight, I must fight back. Is something worrying you? - Yes, but all that is a trifle
compared to your torture. Tell me. I met a woman in the city.
She is a prostitute, a harlot. But I can't help thinking of
her. She's still a young girl, maybe
she deserves contempt but... - He who is without sin
cast the first stone. You'd like to help her? - Do you think she could
live as a virtuous woman? - It is just up to her. - And could I bring her to you? - If you can. (hallowed music) - [Narrator] Hus' views on
women may seem very conservative to us today. For example he
wrote, "A woman is the mistress of
the devil, because her beauty "only leads a man to
fornication." And, "Women are fragile
creatures, sinful in nature, "unstable and superficial,
and at the same time sensual, "predestined to be sinful
due to their appearance." But at the same time Hus
appealed for their morality and purity. He said that
women should seek union with Christ. In his sermons he also
encouraged
men to love their wives as Christ loved his church.
It is a historical fact that later John Hus wrote
his treatise on marriage in this spirit for Robert the
Jailer. (foreboding music) - Thank you. I'm the last person you need to
fear. Really, what's your name? - Margaret. - Will you pass me the pitcher,
Margaret? - Sure, oh. - Don't worry, don't worry. - I'm sorry. - Robert will bring some more. He's a good man. - Yes. - You don't know any like him? - No one except Robert. I wanted to confess to the
parson but he wouldn't hear me, I have no money for indulgences. They say I don't deserve any
better. I'm only fit for hell. - Do you believe it? - I am afraid, but you
could give me absolution. - You don't need any
man's help to be forgiven. Just sincere repentance before
God. - Well how? - Have you heard of Mary
Magdalene? - [Margaret] Yes? - When Christ rose from the
dead, he appeared first to her. As he made it clear to all
sinners then, as long as they truly repent,
they will be forgiven. That's what I believe. - Margaret, we have to go. No one will see you here. - Just a moment, Robert. (uplifting music) - There's only you. (weeping) And God. - I'm very grateful to you. - Now I will depend on you too. What becomes of her. - Master Robert, at last I found
you. - Ah, Peter of Mladonovice. The passionate defender of Hus. - Precisely the reason I came to
see you. - What's the matter? - You know well how
miserable Master John is. We'd like to try to rescue him. - Set him free? - The escape plan is
ready, if you help us. - Oh no, no, count me out. I feel for him, I believe
that he isn't a heretic but, I can't do this. Do you know what this would
mean? I put myself at risk! - Master John is innocent! - You can count me out. Go now. - Did I hear well, they
want to rescue the master? - [Robert] They're crazy,
they simply can't do it. - But you took me into the jail. - That was something else. - And you got me out. - Bring some more wine. - I'm worried about him Robert. - What am I supposed to do? (ominous music) (hallowed music) - [Narrator] Pope John
XXIII was an intriguer and a politician, and since
his plans did not work out as expected, he fled from
Constance during the night of March the 20th, 1415. The council could not
continue without the pope, and the proceedings
were thrown into chaos. The Bishop of Constance
exclaimed that he did not want to have anything more to
do with Hus the heretic, and he withdrew the prison
guards. This presented the perfect
opportunity for Hus to escape. (hallowed music) - I'm glad you've come,
Robert changed his mind. I am to tell you he'll
try to save Master John. - And how will he do it? - I don't know but this
is where you're to wait tomorrow at noon. - We'll be there. And thank you Margaret. (anticipatory music) - Dear brother. Are you still alive? It has been a while. - I don't have much time,
you called me so here I am. - I see, otherwise I would be
out of luck, oh no hard feelings. How are you doing? - Do you really care? - No. As for me, I am more
interested in your prisoner. I haven't heard from you
for a couple of weeks, no? How is he faring? - You have no way of imagining. In winter the cold, in
summer the stench of drains and you ask me how he's faring? I tell you he sings. - What? So he keeps singing? - I ask you where does
he get the strength? - He gets it from the devil. - To sing songs about
God? Strange heretic! - Robert, do you hear what
you're saying? Do you want to end up at the
stake? Be glad that nobody else can
hear you. Watch your words. - What is it about Hus you hate
so much? - My goodness, you are part
of the Inquisition Court! - The fact that he condemns
simony? - No, I guess not. The most important thing that
bothers us is probably his disobedience. Can you
imagine if everyone decided that they would only be
obedient to the church or the nobility if their
conscience allowed it? That would really be the
end Robert, absolute chaos. - Ah, actually you resist chaos. You have work to do, the
city is already upside down. - Robert, we must
maintain peace and order. - Order, we probably can't agree
on that. Excuse me, I'm in a hurry. - Well as you wish, actually
it's your neck I'm saving. - [Narrator] And here the
Roman Emperor Sigismund, the younger brother of Wenceslas
IV, appears on the scene. The younger Sigismund stole
both the power and the title of his brother. Regarding
Hus he sent a clear message to Bohemia, that despite
Wenceslas' support, the heretic would be burned. Sigismund's conclusion was
supported by the church. Sigismund had John Hus
transported
to the strictly guarded Gottlieben Castle where the
conditions were even harder for the Czech preacher. His friends wrote official
protests, but to no avail. Not even a petition brought from
Bohemia with the seals of 250
Bohemian and Moravian lords could help to save Hus from
prison. - I'm an idiot. If I hadn't gone to
Francesco we could've saved Master John. - You can't blame yourself. You weren't to know at that
moment Sigismund's soldiers would come for Master John. - I should've thought of
it. For weeks my brother hasn't invited me, and
now he missed me so much? Who knows what's going on. - [Narrator] The situation in
Constance soon changed dramatically once
again. The fugitive Pope John XXIII was
detained and he was immediately
thrown, paradoxically, into the same cell in
the Gottlieben Castle where Hus had been held. Master John was transported
back to Constance. This time to a Franciscan
monastery where he was better looked after, so that he
became stronger and was ready for his final trial. - Master!
- Robert? I did not believe we'd meet
again. - I found a few allies in the
monastery. Now we mustn't waste time.
Everything is ready for your escape. The guards are
off-duty, just for a while. - I will not run away. I can't do that. - But Master! Don't you see the danger you're
in? - I see it very well, trust me. - What about your loved ones,
friends, we will miss you! - I'm glad to hear that,
but I've made my choice. - To die. - I have set out on a journey
that allows no return. Not even death. I can't betray God, or
the truth I found in him. - What strength is this? That can remove the fear of
death. So this is farewell? - All the more joyful will
be our next encounter. Take care, Robert. And look after Margaret. (ominous music) - [Narrator] Learned theologians
chose dozens of articles taken out of context from
Hus' books, and declared them dangerous heresy, and
asked Hus to renounce them. Hus was still hoping that
he would be able to defend his teaching. The genuine
and open disputation however never took place. - [John] I, John Hus, in
the hope of Jesus Christ, fearing to offend God and
fearing to commit perjury, do not wish to renounce
as a whole or individually the articles brought by
false witness in testimony against me, because I have
not preached or asserted or defended them. - [Narrator] The bishops
constantly urged Hus to recant. They didn't
want to have another martyr. Strangely however, it was
his own people the Bohemians who demanded the harshest
punishment for the reformer, especially the prosecutor,
Michael de Causis, as well as the former close
friend of Hus, Stephen Palec, who spared no
expense on bribes to make sure
that Hus was condemned as quickly as possible. - You wanted to talk to me John? - Stephen, I'm glad you've come. Can I ask you for one last
favor? - What favor do you mean? - I'd like to confess. - Don't ask me, I can't. - What are you afraid of
Stephen? - Of nothing, you'll be burned. - I take the point, trust me. I'm not angry with you,
rather, rather I would like to ask your forgiveness that
I stepped in your way and caused you torment. - To me? John, I don't get it. I hurt you, I wanted
your death, and now... - Was Christ's sacrifice
only for those who loved him? No he gave his life so that all
of us could find redemption. - You think you are Christ,
John? Playing at being a savior. - No Stephen, nothing like that,
trust me. In recent days I feel I'm
beginning to understand, how Jesus could've felt on
Golgotha. - I don't understand you John. - Nevermind. God be with you, Stephen. (ominous music) - [Narrator] The council
eventually presented Hus with a very mild form of
recantation, which was probably drawn up by Cardinal Zabarella. However Hus refused to sign
it. He wrote his last letters to Bohemia and a bequest
to his loved ones. When he was at least brought
to Constance Cathedral on the sixth of July and
excommunicated, the archbishop himself
placed upon his head the humiliating paper
hat painted with devils. Then the church handed him
over to the secular powers. (anticipatory music) - Master! (sad music) - [John] My dear Jesus, I
wish to endure this horrible, ignominious and cruel death
very patiently and humbly for your gospel, and the
preaching of your word. I'm sure that neither
death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor
things present or future, nor any powers, heights
or depths, nor anything else in creation will
be able to separate us from the love of God, and
as in Jesus Christ our lord. - [Narrator] Not a single
reminder of John Hus was supposed to be left
behind in this world. His ashes were thrown into the
Rhine, his books were burned, and
his teaching condemned. But the fire only served to
stir up his memory. The Czech preacher's words
have accompanied his nation through its entire history until
today. His words seek the truth, love
the truth and defend the truth until
death have emerged every time the Czech country has been in
danger. Time and time again each new
generation has had to come to terms with the meaning of
that truth. The truth for which John
Hus was willing to die. Live life in the truth of God
in accordance with God's word. (inspiring music)
