How did John Wycliffe’s writings influence Jan Hus?

The writings of John Wycliffe significantly influenced Jan Hus, serving as a foundational resource for the Czech national reform movement. Hus studied Wycliffe’s philosophical and theological works, which were introduced to the University of Prague in 1401.1

Key aspects of this influence include:

• Church Reform: Hus was particularly impressed by Wycliffe’s proposals for reforming the Roman Catholic clergy, specifically addressing the wealth and simoniacal practices of the higher clergy.1
• Biblical Authority: Hus adopted Wycliffe’s principle of the supremacy of Scriptures as the sole source of Christian doctrine.23
• Theological Alignment: Hus supported Wycliffe’s doctrine of predestination and defended his writings against condemnation by the university's German masters.43

However, Hus did not accept all of Wycliffe’s radical views. For instance, he notably rejected Wycliffe’s tenet of remanence—the belief that bread and wine retain their material substance during the Eucharist. Ultimately, Hus’s refusal to disavow Wycliffe’s teachings at the Council of Constance became a central point of conflict that led to his execution.243