In 1414, a Czech theologian named Jan Hus was called before the Council of Constance for heresy against the Catholic Church and Pope. Jan Hus had preached about the need to reform the corruption within the Church, desiring to adhere more to a more communal Christianity that he believed the New Testament spoke of, and for that he had been excommunicated numerous times. His life up to this point set the groundwork for the eventual history of the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire to change forever.
Charles IV: King of Bohemia and the "Romans"
Charles IV’s efforts helped to elevate the city of Prague to new heights, establishing it as the intellectual and cultural center of Central Europe. Yet, his reign was marked by political disagreements and failures to centralize the government. One major, yet brief, threat to Charles IV’s authority came from Louis IV, the excommunicated emperor Charles IV replaced. Another major aspect of Charles IV’s authority was the elevation of Prague as a major player on the world stage for centuries to come.
Charles IV and the New Town
For his time in the 14th century, King of Bohemia Charles IV was one of the most progressive rulers in his time. His greatest contribution to Czech culture is his urban plan for Prague, entitled New Town, or Nové Město. He centered the people of the town in his plans and centralized the working class members of society into New Town, which made it a hub for business and merchant activity. His establishment of Charles University also brought about many major institutional changes throughout Bohemia’s history.