Page:John Huss by Hastings Rashdall (1879).pdf/29



Author:Jan Hus reached Constance on the 3rd of November, 1414. The Pope, who had arrived three days before, sent to inform him that he had determined to relax the Interdict: the observance of which would have made the holding of the Council impossible, and the Excommunication which laymen were not likely to obey even in Constance. He was enjoined to keep away from the churches; but he continued to celebrate mass daily in a room adjoining his lodgings. He occupied himself in preparing the apologetic discourses which he hoped to be allowed to deliver before the Council. But soon after the arrival of his Bohemian enemies, headed by Palecz and Michael de Causis, his liberty came to an end. They had brought copies of his works with them; and accusations of heresy were posted on the doors of every church in Constance. Other Articles were drawn up by Gerson, the famous Chancellor of Paris. It was represented to the Cardinals that so dangerous a heretic should be deprived of a freedom which might lead to the dissemination of his errors. It was thought desirable that the contemplated violation of Sigismund’s safe-conduct should take place before the arrival of that monarch. Accordingly, on Nov. 28, two Bishops appeared at Huss’ lodgings and invited him to follow them to the Papal palace. Chlum remonstrated with his accustomed vehemence; but there were soldiers drawn up in the street, and Huss could only obey. On arriving at the palace, they found the Cardinals assembled, Being informed that he was accused of having propagated “capital and manifest errors in Bohemia against the Catholic Church,” Huss replied in the formula which he was in the habit of employing on such occasions, that he would rather die than be convicted of any heresy; and that if he were convicted of any error, he would abjure it without hesitation. It is not easy to say whether it was from a grim kind of humour or from a want of humour, that he constantly spoke as if he did not know that the word “conviction” meant one thing in his mouth, and another in his opponents’. It is certain that such language often excited unfounded hopes in his enemies and unnecessary fears in his friends. In the afternoon, he was told that he was to be a prisoner in the house of the Precentor of the Cathedral.