Lecture on John Wycliffe and His Impact

Introduction

• Focus on John Wycliffe, an English theologian turned heretic.
• Inspired the Lollard movement and influenced Bible translation.
• Context: Late Medieval Europe, a time of pessimism, especially in England.

Context of Wycliffe's Life

• Criticism of church establishment emerged from societal struggles.
• Factors: The Black Death and tensions among English peasants.
  • Discontent over wealth distribution.
  • Criticism of the nobility's handling of resources.
• Religious Context: Papal Schism
  • Conflict within the church hierarchy.

Positive Changes Influencing Wycliffe

• Urbanization and literacy increase:
  • Rise in educational opportunities in cities like London, Cambridge, Oxford.
  • Led to more people reading the Bible themselves.

Wycliffe's Life and Career

• Born circa 1329, studied at Oxford in 1351.
• Received Doctorate in 1372/1373.
• Involved in politics and royal affairs unexpectedly.
• Charged with sedition in 1377 by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • Demonstrated political power during his trial.

Wycliffe's Theological and Political Challenges

• Papal condemnation of 19 articles by Wycliffe.
• Key Writings:
  • "On Civil Leadership" (1376)
  • "On the Church" (1378)
  • "On the Eucharist" (1379)
• Criticized immorality within the church.

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381

• Wycliffe mistakenly linked to the revolt.
• Wycliffe's elite status likely disconnected him from peasant causes.

Council of Constance and Wycliffe's Posthumous Condemnation

• Condemned as a heretic in 1415.
• Remains exhumed and burned in 1428.

Wycliffe's Theological Ideas

• Focus on biblical reading and vernacular translations.
• Rejected prayers for the dead, papal authority, and monasticism.
• Notions:
  • Questioned ecclesiastical and royal authority in cases of mortal sin.
  • Laypeople could withhold tithes from immoral priests.
• Mass:
  • Criticized transubstantiation but believed in Christ's physical presence.

The Lollard Movement

• Followers known as Lollards, emphasizing vernacular scripture reading.
• Not an organized movement; focus on individual Bible study.
• Experienced persecution and transformed into a more rebellious group.

Oldcastle's Revolt

• Oldcastle, a Lollard, led a failed rebellion against the church.
• Highlighted the perceived sedition of the Lollards.

Decline of the Lollard Movement

• Movement diminished by the English Reformation in the 1530s.
• Accusations of sedition and effective suppression led to decline.

Conclusion

• Wycliffe's impact was felt mainly through his followers and his push for Bible literacy.
• The Lollard movement, although significant, was short-lived and lacked organizational strength.