Religion - Lollards, Heresy and Anticlericalism

Lollards

Lollards

• Small minority that were critical of the beliefs and practices of the Church

• Founded by John Wycliffe in the 14th century, still found in Henry VII’s reign

• Lollards placed stress on the understanding of the Bible and favoured its translation into English

• Considered the Catholic Church to be corrupt

• And denied the idea of the special status of the priesthood

Heresy definition

• The denial of the validity of the key doctrines of the Church

Lollard views and heresy

• Lollard views were considered heresy but were still persisted in south England

• Lollards had become fewer in numbers by the start of Henry’s reign

Anticlericalism definition

• Opposition to the Church’s role in political and other non-religious matters

Criticism of the Church

• Often assumed that anticlericalism was widespread in late-medieval England

• Anticlericalism was often politically motivated