Tomas of Stitny

Leader of the Reform Movement in Prague.

Tomas was the son of a country squire in Southeastern Bohemia - he probably lived between 1325 - 1410. Tomas was one of the first students of the University of Prague which was established (c.1366) by Emperor Vaclav (Charles) IV. He did not seek nor receive a degree.

When Tomas returned to his father's manor, he married, raised his own children and worked the lands, whilst occasionally traveling to Prague.

He was a man who felt responsible for not only the education of his five children, but for the education of the children of his neighbours.

Tomas was not particularly radical in his religious reflections - however, he was the first layman to write about devout matters, Christian and moral, in Czech. He may not have changed the Canon of accepted ideas, however, he did single-handedly create a Czech philosophical syntax.

Tomas was a contemporary of Jan Hus and other reformists - Conrad of Waldhausen, Milicz of Kremsier, Albert Ranconis, Mathias of Janov, and John of Stekno. These men actively preached (1380s) religious revival and ecclesiastic reform.

Following the death of his wife, Tomas took care of his aging sisters. He left for Prague (1381) to be close to the center of religious reform and lived with his eldest daughter Anezka.

An old man, he died before the revolution erupted into the streets of Prague.