Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/149

 One of the most pleasant features of life in Bohemia at this time was the sacredness of home and the fidelity of wives and husbands to their marriage vows. Although youths and maidens indulged in free social intercourse, and dancing was the most common amusement, the principles of morality were so deeply rooted in their minds that they rarely overstepped the limits of virtue and chastity. In conversation, however, there was not so much delicacy as at the present time, many expressions being used that would appear coarse to us. But in this the Bohemians were not greater sinners than other nations of those days, as is proven by contemporary literature.

During this century the people clung, with implicit confidence, to the teachings of Rome. But when the clergy became so corrupt that they did not even take the pains to conceal their scandalous lives, the more thoughtful people began to wonder if the Church could be considered holy when its chief leaders were so utterly debased. The schism in the Church of two Popes, the one at Rome and the other at Avignon in France, struggling for the ascendency, also furnished material for this speculation.

There was a school connected with each convent; but in these mostly religion was taught. The schools where the boys could obtain the rudiments of education were the parish and village schools. As might be expected, the girls received no education whatever. After the establishment of the university in Prague, the common schools were greatly improved, since so many students, on the point of graduation, were engaged in teaching in the villages.