Huss was rector of the university of Prague during a time when the Church was divided between pope and anti - pope. The Council of Pisa deposed Pope Gregory XII and elected Alexander V pope.

Huss acknowledged the new pope, but the Archbishop of Prague remained faithful to Gregory and forbade Huss to preach and the Prague population revolted.

Huss agreed to attend the Council at Constance (1414) after a promise of safe conduct, but was arrested and tried. Burned as a heretic at the stake, he became a natinal hero of Bohemia.