Lollardy

Lollardy was a religious reform movement that emerged in the late 14th century in England. Its name is believed to derive from the Middle Dutch word "lollaerd," meaning "mutterer" or "chanting one," though its precise origin is debated. The movement was largely inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe, an Oxford scholar who criticized the wealth and power of the Catholic Church, its perceived corruption, and the authority of the Pope.

Key tenets of Lollardy included a rejection of many Catholic doctrines and practices. Lollards emphasized the supreme authority of the Bible, advocating for its translation into the vernacular English so that ordinary people could read and understand it themselves. They questioned the transubstantiation, the doctrine that the bread and wine of the Eucharist literally become the body and blood of Christ. They also challenged the necessity of the priesthood as intermediaries between God and humanity, and rejected the veneration of saints and relics.

The movement gained some traction among various social classes, including some clergy, merchants, and artisans. However, it faced significant opposition from the established Church and the English monarchy. The De heretico comburendo statute of 1401 made heresy a capital offense, leading to the persecution and execution of many Lollards. Despite this, Lollardy persisted in clandestine forms for some time, influencing later Protestant movements in England. Its legacy lies in its early challenge to the established religious order and its advocacy for vernacular scripture.