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Responsum ultimum

Jan Hus · 1415

Jan Hus's final written response in 1415, composed shortly before his execution, defending his theological positions on the Church.

Hus's own final written defense of his beliefs, composed just before his execution.

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What it is

Responsum ultimum (Final Answer) is a Latin text written by Jan Hus in 1415. In numbered points, it restates his theological positions on the nature of the Church and on predestination, drawing on arguments from Augustine. It survives among his collected works.

Why it matters

This was one of Hus's last written statements before his execution. It shows that even at the end of his life, facing trial, Hus continued to defend his theological positions point by point rather than recant them — a stand that cost him his life but made him a lasting symbol of religious conviction and reform.

Look closer

  • What does the careful, numbered structure of the text suggest about Hus's state of mind at this moment?
  • Why might Hus have chosen to keep defending his ideas rather than recant, even facing death?
  • What questions does this short Latin text leave unanswered about the trial itself?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jan Hus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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