The earliest records of the Bohemian or Czech language are very ancient, though the so-called MSS. of Zelena Hora (Gruneberg) and Kralodvur (Koniginhof) are almost certainly forgeries of the early part of the 19th century. The earliest genuine documents of the Bohemian language comprise several hymns and legends; of the latter the legend of St Catherine and that of St Dorothy have the greatest value. Several ancient epic fragments have also been preserved, such as the _Alexandreis_ and _Tandarias a Floribella_. These and other early Bohemian writings have been printed since the revival of Bohemian literature in the 19th century. Of considerable historical value is the rhymed chronicle generally though wrongly known as the chronicle of Dalimil. The author, who probably lived during the reign of King John (1310-1346), records the events of Bohemian history from the earliest period to the reign of King Henry of Carinthia, the immediate predecessor of John. A strong feeling of racial antipathy to the Germans pervades the chronicle. Old Czech literature. It is undoubtedly to be attributed to the high intellectual level which Bohemia attained in the 14th century that at that period we already find writers on religious and philosophical subjects who used the national language. Of these the most important is Thomas of Stitny (c. 1331-1401). Of his works, which contain many ideas similar to those of his contemporary Wycliffe, those entitled _O obecnych vecech Krestanskych_ (on general Christian matters) and _Besedni reci_ (in a rough translation "learned entertainments") have most value. Stitny and some of his contemporaries whose Bohemian writings have perished are known as the forerunners of Huss. Huss, like many of his contemporaries in Bohemia, wrote both in Bohemian and in Latin. Of the Bohemian writings of Huss, who contributed greatly to the development of his native language, the most important is his _Vyklad viry, desatera Boziho prikazani, a patere_ (exposition of the creed, the ten commandments and the Lord's Prayer) written in 1412. Of his numerous other Bohemian works we may mention the _Postilla_ (collection of sermons), the treatises _O poznani cesty prave k spaseni_ (the true road to salvation) and _O svatokupectvi_ (on simony), and a large collection of letters; those written in prison are very touching.