Lollardy facts for kids

Lollard or Lollardy was a religious movement that started in England during the Middle Ages. It began in the middle of the 14th century. The word "Lollard" was used for people who followed the ideas of John Wycliffe. He was a famous theologian (someone who studies religion). Wycliffe was removed from the University of Oxford in 1381 because he criticized the Catholic Church. He mainly disagreed with some of the Church's teachings and practices. The Lollards wanted to change and improve Western Christianity.

What Was Lollardy?

Lollardy was a religious movement that aimed to reform the Christian Church. It started in England in the 1300s. The people involved were called Lollards. They believed that the Church had become too powerful and wealthy. They felt it had moved away from the simple teachings of the Bible.

Who Was John Wycliffe?

Beginning of the Gospel of John from a pocket Wycliffe translation. This book may have been used by a Lollard preacher in the late 14th century.

John Wycliffe was a scholar and a priest. He taught at the University of Oxford. Wycliffe believed that the Bible should be the main source of religious authority. He thought that everyone, not just priests, should be able to read and understand it. He also criticized the wealth and power of the Church leaders. His ideas were very new and challenging for his time.

Wycliffe believed that people should have a direct relationship with God. He thought they did not always need priests to act as a go-between. Because of his strong views, he was eventually removed from his teaching position.

What Did Lollards Believe?

Lollards followed many of Wycliffe's teachings. Here are some of their main beliefs:

• They believed the Bible should be available to everyone. They helped translate the Bible into English. This was so ordinary people could read it for themselves.
• They thought that the Church should be less focused on wealth and power. They wanted priests to live simpler lives.
• They questioned some of the Church's traditional practices. They believed that some ceremonies were not as important as a person's faith.
• They often met in secret groups to read the Bible and discuss their beliefs.

How Did Lollardy Spread?

Map showing where Lollardy was strong. Green areas show influence before 1399. Red areas show where it spread in the 1400s.

After Wycliffe's death, his followers continued to spread his ideas. They were often called "poor preachers." These preachers traveled around England. They taught people in towns and villages. They would read from the English Bible and explain Wycliffe's ideas.

The Lollards faced many challenges. The Church and the government did not like their ideas. They saw Lollardy as a threat to their power. Many Lollards were arrested and punished for their beliefs. Despite this, their ideas continued to spread. They influenced many people in England.

The Impact of Lollardy

Even though Lollardy faced strong opposition, it had a lasting impact. The Lollards helped to make the Bible more accessible to ordinary people. Their ideas about reforming the Church also helped to set the stage for later religious changes. These changes happened during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Lollardy showed that people were starting to question traditional authority. They wanted a more personal and direct connection to their faith.

Images for kids

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  In this 19th-century illustration, John Wycliffe is shown giving the Bible translation that bore his name to his Lollard followers.

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  Lollards' prison in Lambeth Palace