Second Disputation at Prague on Wycliffe's Seventeenth Article

What it is

This text records a disputation delivered by Jan Hus at the University of Prague, arguing—using reasons drawn from scripture—that princes and secular lords have lawful authority over churchmen, including the power to correct their abuses. It responds to a dispute over Wycliffe's teachings that the university had not yet agreed to condemn.

Why it matters

This source shows Hus engaging directly with ideas that challenged the Church's power structure, revealing why his teachings were seen as dangerous by Church authorities. It also shows the ongoing disagreement within the University of Prague itself about Wycliffe's condemned articles.

Look closer

• Why might arguing that secular rulers can correct churchmen have been controversial?
• What kind of evidence does Hus rely on to make his case?
• What does this reveal about the split between Hus's supporters and the Church hierarchy?