the journey to Constance, in which he spoke of going to meet inveterate foes and the possibility of his death. It was evident that the council’s purpose was to sentence Huss forthwith, without giving him a chance to defend himself. One who was listening and had seen the text of the sentence informed Peter Mladenowicz of this purpose.[1] Running to John of Chlum and Wenzel of Duba, Mladenowicz apprised them of what was about to be done. They in turn hastened to the king to inform him and handed him autographic copies of Huss’s Treatise on the Church and his tracts against Palecz and Stanislaus of Znaim.
Without delay the king despatched Lewis, count palatine, and Frederick, burgrave of Nürnberg, to inform the council that it was the royal will that no condemnation be pronounced until the king first had notice of it, and that Huss should be given a patient hearing. The messengers then handed the Treatise on the Church and those against Palecz and Znaim to the council, with the understanding that they should be returned without erasures or the introduction of new material. Being asked whether the three writings were his, Huss declared they were and that if anything was taught in them which was erroneous or evil he was ready humbly to recall it. As the thirty articles and the depositions of the witnesses were being read and Huss attempted to reply, members of the council strove to drown his voice by vociferous cries, exclaiming: “Be done with your sophistry and say yes or no.” Others laughed at him, and, when he attempted to adduce authorities, they joined in asserting that they were not to the point. Finding his efforts unavailing, Huss then kept silent, so that members cried out: “See, thou art silent. It is plain thou givest assent to the errors.” Huss was not disappointed in finding that the synod was not in-
- ↑ For important details we are dependent upon Mladenowicz, Huss’s friend, alone, and it is not impossible that he gave a partisan coloring to some of his statements.
