Abstract
The 2015 anniversary of Jan Hus's death provided a new stimulus for research into the man. One of them was the repeatedly published interpretation by Rakovník archivist Jan Krško that includes his significant doubts of the historicity of Hus's stay at Castle Krakovec in 1414 and offers other possibilities for his residence before undertaking the journey to Constance (Bechyně, Prague).
Pointing out an allegedly unknown note contained in the Prague manuscript (National Museum Library, shelfmark VIII F 38) of the "Report about Master Jan Hus in Constance" by Petr of Mladoňovice, Krško also claims that Jan Hus left for the council from Prague. The submitted contribution presents the current state of research, summarizes the discussions to this point, and uses the author's own work to build upon the current historiography.
Based on a wide range of the sources used, it provides more coherent and critical look at the topics discussed. The paper shows Krško's interpretation comes from an insufficient base in the sources and is also burdened with a number of errors and misinterpretations.
The key outcomes of the research are: 1. The commentary on Jan Hus's stay at Krakovec comes from contemporary witnesses and is contained in twelve manuscripts of the Old Czech Annals.
There is no need to doubt about its historicity. 2. The sources clearly rule out the alternative that Hus stayed at Bechyně (instead of Krakovec) with Jindřich Lefl of Lažany before his departure for the Council of Constance. 3.
Jan Hus resided at Krakovec most likely from July 1414, as is commonly stated in the literature. 4. The doubts of whether he left for Constance from Krakovec do not lack relevance, but they are not a new topic.
They have deep roots in Czech historiography reaching back to the 16th century and are very frequent in German historiography as well. The copyist's note in the Prague manuscript of Mladoňovic's "Report" is not new (it was already made accessible in three previous editions), nor does it prove that on Thursday 11th October 1414, Hus set out with his retinue for Constance from Prague.
The absence of evidence of Hus's presence in the capital city in September and at the beginning of October on the contrary rather testifies to a departure from Krakovec. The exact localization thus remains a question.