Lollardy

Definition

Lollardy refers to a religious movement in England during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, primarily associated with the teachings of John Wycliffe. It emphasized the importance of scripture and criticized various practices of the Catholic Church, advocating for a more personal and direct relationship with God. This movement laid the groundwork for later Protestant reforms by challenging the established church's authority.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lollardy emerged in the context of rising dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church, particularly its corruption and the wealth of clergy.
2. The movement was characterized by a focus on personal piety, reading the Bible in vernacular languages, and promoting lay participation in religious practices.
3. Lollards faced significant persecution, including imprisonment and execution, as their beliefs challenged the authority of the church.
4. Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English was pivotal for Lollardy, making scripture accessible to ordinary people and empowering them to question church teachings.
5. The decline of Lollardy began after Wycliffe's death, but its ideas persisted, influencing later Protestant movements like those initiated by Martin Luther.

Review Questions

• How did Lollardy challenge the established authority of the Catholic Church during its emergence?
  • Lollardy challenged the established authority of the Catholic Church by promoting a more personal connection to faith through scripture and criticizing church practices that were seen as corrupt. Followers emphasized reading the Bible in English, which empowered laypeople to interpret religious texts independently. This questioning of clerical authority directly undermined the church's control over spiritual matters, leading to significant tension between Lollards and church officials.
• What role did John Wycliffe play in shaping Lollardy's core beliefs and practices?
  • John Wycliffe was central to shaping Lollardy’s beliefs through his teachings and translation of the Bible into English. His emphasis on scripture as the sole source of authority directly influenced Lollards to advocate for lay access to biblical texts. By challenging traditional church doctrines and promoting a more personal approach to faith, Wycliffe laid a strong foundation for Lollardy that would resonate through later reform movements.
• Evaluate how Lollardy set the stage for future reformations within Christianity and its long-term impact on religious practices.
  • Lollardy played a crucial role in setting the stage for future reformations by introducing ideas that questioned church authority and emphasized individual interpretation of scripture. Its focus on personal piety and accessibility of religious texts foreshadowed similar movements during the Protestant Reformation. The persistence of Lollard ideals contributed to an evolving landscape of Christian practice, fostering an environment ripe for further reformations that transformed religious belief systems across Europe.

Related terms

John Wycliffe: An English theologian and reformer who is considered the precursor to the Protestant Reformation, known for translating the Bible into English and advocating for reform within the church.

Hussitism: A religious movement in Bohemia inspired by the teachings of Jan Hus, which shared similarities with Lollardy in its critique of the Catholic Church and emphasis on scripture.

Reformation:

A major religious movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant churches and was significantly influenced by earlier movements like Lollardy and Hussitism.