Overview
This study is a reconsideration of Jan Hus, a late medieval Bohemian priest who was burned at the stake six hundred years ago. His death sparked a social revolution. This book considers his role as a priest and reformer in Prague, his martyrdom in Germany, and his legacy. It attempts to provide an evaluation of Hus in the context of the medieval world, especially by engaging in alternative perspectives of his life and work. The core themes and arguments are revisionist. These include seeing Hus properly as a heretic, exploring Hus as a medieval man interested in more than preaching, religious practice, and reform. The book sets out to challenge traditional assumptions and seeks less to contribute to monument-building than to challenge the prevailing views about Hus and the interpretation of his life and thought. A conscious effort has been undertaken to explore the historical relevancy of Hus and to assess his contemporary significance. The book also places Hus into a comparative context with the Reformation of the sixteenth century.
Full Product Details
Author: Thomas A. Fudge
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint: Lexington Books
Dimensions:
Width: 16.20cm
, Height: 2.40cm
, Length: 23.70cm
Weight: 0.567kg
ISBN: 9781498527507
ISBN 10: 1498527507
Pages: 298
Publication Date: 25 November 2015
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Once again, the tireless Thomas Fudge has found riches in old mines that we thought were played out, beginning with Hus on women's spirituality and Hus on sex, and ending with some sharp comments on turning Hus into a political hero. Fudge is risk-taker, free with his opinions, and never dull. -- Gerald Christianson, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary The historical reputation of Jan Hus, the reforming Czech preacher executed for heresy by the Council of Constance in 1415, has been too long the captive of religious and nationalist agendas. In this challenging book, Thomas Fudge undertakes a revision of the simplistic hagiography of Hus the martyr. His book gives us material on under explored topics like Hus' attitude toward women and sex, as well as his views on heresy. Fudge also gives overdue attention to Hus' foes and their opinion that he was stiff-necked and arrogant. Anyone interested in Hus and those who challenged orthodoxy in Bohemia during the period after his death will want to factor into their assessments a sustained reading of Fudge's latest book. -- Thomas Izbicki, Rutgers University Reflecting his magisterial command of sources both primary and secondary, in this stimulating study Dr. Fudge explores a wide range of issues related to Jan Hus. At times passionate and personal, his book effectively examines the subtleties and shadows of topics not normally central to treatments of Hus. Dr. Fudge brings to these matters a healthy revisionist approach that touches Hus' life and the myths and legends that have surrounded him. Dr. Fudge's efforts represent both a sure stimulus to further scholarship and a ringing affirmation of Hus' own ideal that the truth should prevail. -- Paul Knoll, University of Southern California Thomas Fudge has redefined the understanding of Jan Hus for the English-speaking world, questioning long standing assumptions and revealing the historical and theological roots of Hus's hagiography and his demonization. In this new collection of essays, Dr. Fudge shows how he continues to encourage new approaches to Hus on the 600th anniversary of his death at Constance. These essays, delivered at conferences across the globe, show how Hus continues to arouse strong feelings and occasionally intense debate. -- Stephen E. Lahey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fudge's book is particularly welcome because he offers a wider English-speaking readership a route to modern scholarship about Hus... this is an extremely valuable collection of studies that challenges current views of Jan Hus and will prove valuable to students and scholars alike. Canadian Journal of History Once again, the tireless Thomas Fudge has found riches in old mines that we thought were played out, beginning with Hus on women's spirituality and Hus on sex, and ending with some sharp comments on turning Hus into a political hero. Fudge is risk-taker, free with his opinions, and never dull. -- Gerald Christianson, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary The historical reputation of Jan Hus, the reforming Czech preacher executed for heresy by the Council of Constance in 1415, has been too long the captive of religious and nationalist agendas. In this challenging book, Thomas Fudge undertakes a revision of the simplistic hagiography of Hus the martyr. His book gives us material on under explored topics like Hus' attitude toward women and sex, as well as his views on heresy. Fudge also gives overdue attention to Hus' foes and their opinion that he was stiff-necked and arrogant. Anyone interested in Hus and those who challenged orthodoxy in Bohemia during the period after his death will want to factor into their assessments a sustained reading of Fudge's latest book. -- Thomas Izbicki, Rutgers University Reflecting his magisterial command of sources both primary and secondary, in this stimulating study Dr. Fudge explores a wide range of issues related to Jan Hus. At times passionate and personal, his book effectively examines the subtleties and shadows of topics not normally central to treatments of Hus. Dr. Fudge brings to these matters a healthy revisionist approach that touches Hus' life and the myths and legends that have surrounded him. Dr. Fudge's efforts represent both a sure stimulus to further scholarship and a ringing affirmation of Hus' own ideal that the truth should prevail. -- Paul Knoll, University of Southern California Thomas Fudge has redefined the understanding of Jan Hus for the English-speaking world, questioning long standing assumptions and revealing the historical and theological roots of Hus's hagiography and his demonization. In this new collection of essays, Dr. Fudge shows how he continues to encourage new approaches to Hus on the 600th anniversary of his death at Constance. These essays, delivered at conferences across the globe, show how Hus continues to arouse strong feelings and occasionally intense debate. -- Stephen E. Lahey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Author Information
Thomas A. Fudge is professor of medieval history at the University of New England in Australia.
