Prague, Sept 15 (CTK) – A commemorative plaque marking Czech scholar, reformer and Hussite emissary Pavel of Kravare (c. 1391-1433), also known as Paul Crawar/Craw, was unveiled in St Andrews in Scotland, where he was burnt at stake, on Wednesday, daily Lidove noviny (LN) writes yesterday.
Czech Ambassador to Britain Libor Secka attended the ceremony, along with representatives and students of the local university.
LN writes that the name of Paul Craw is not much known, unlike the other two church reformers, John Huss (1372-1415), whose name the whole 15th century reform and social movement bears, and Jerome of Prague (1379-1416). They were also burnt at stake, but in Konstanz, now in Germany.
The Prague University, founded in 1348, sent Paul Craw, who studied medicine in Montpelier, France, and got Master degree at the Paris University, to St Andrews at the beginning of the 14th century. Historians have tried to date to find out what his real mission in Scotland was. It is only sure that he did not meet with understanding there, LN writes.
Exactly the University of St Andrews was behind his martyr death. It was founded by Bishop Henry Wardlow with support of the Pope, and its major task was the uncompromising defence of religious orthodoxy.
Paul Craw was accused of heresy by Professor Laurence de Lindores, a Dominican monk and chief Scottish inquisitor, and burnt at stake on July 23, 1433, LN says.
It writes that the Czech emissary was not the first to end his life in fire in Scotland. Many other “Lollards,” that is followers of English church reformer John Wycliffe (c. 1320-1384), who were considered heretics, were burnt at stake.
British historian of Slovak origin Paul Vysny, who worked at the University of St Andrews, has long studied the trial of Paul Craw. He also initiated his commemoration in Scotland, LN writes.
