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29 His unique position of independent spiritual leadership is attested by the custom which developed among all learned Czechs to send to him their writings or at least extracts of their books, requesting his criticism am juagment. Bishops and theologians journeyed to visit him at his ferm in Chelc̄ice or in the more convenient nearby town of Vodniany, and he in turn was invited to attend Taborite or Utraquist church councils at Písek, Kutná Hora, and elsewhere. His farm house soon became a refuge ami oasis of all free-mimied souls. When Peter Payne, the English "Hussite" theologian, was driven out of Prague after the restoration of Emperor Sigismund, he was welcomed in the hospitable solitude of Chelc̄icky's home. Writings were sent to him for instance by Archbishop Rokycana; Nicholas Bishop of Ta̍bor ; Peter Ka̍nis̄, theologian of a fundamentalist and chiliastic Hussite sect ; John Nēmec of Z̄atec; Martin Hu̍ska Loquis; Markold of Zbraslavice; Martin Lupa̍c̄; Master Martin of the Bethlehem Chapel; Jakoubek of Str̄i̍bro; and many others.

Novotny̍,, p.7; Spinka, , p. 285.

F.M.Bartos̄, "K poc̄a̍tkum Petra Chelc̄icke̍ho,", 1914; ii, p.156f.

Frantis̄ek Palacky̍,, Prague: 1864, p.240 (vol.IV).

Peter Payne, often called "Master English" in Bohemia, was a disciple of Wyclif. Having been expelled from the University of Oxford he went to Prague where, on October February 13, 1417 he became professor of the Charles University. He remained in Bohemia until 1452, taking an active part in all theological discussions of the Hussite parties, and generally siding with the more radical elements. (See Palacky̍,, p IV, p.226). J.Baker,, London: 1894.