The Lollard Rebellion (unfinished)

Who was John Wycliffe?

A controversial priest who had been condemned by the Pope but supported by John of Gaunt.

What did Wycliffe’s supporters become known as?

Lollards (mumbler/ spreading anti-clerical views)

When did Wycliffe die? What did this mean for Lollardy?

1384, but lollardy continued through the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V.

What did Wycliffe argue about the wealth of the Church?

He believed that the Church should not hold wealth or property.

What did Wycliffe argue about the temporal (secular) roles of the clergy?

The Church allowed priests to hold secular roles, such as being a political advisor to the king.

He claimed that priests should not take on ‘worldly’ roles, but should confine themselves exclusively to spiritual matters.

What did Wycliffe argue about the use of Latin in religious texts?

He wanted the Bible written in English and, during Lollard services, great emphasis was placed on reading scripture in English.

What did Wycliffe argue about the role of the pope as the Supreme Head of the Church on earth?

Lollards argued that the Church in Rome was corrupt and that the pope should not be regarded as the Head of the Church.

This had important financial implications in terms of whether taxes should be paid to the Church in Rome or not.

Why were King’s expected to support the clergy and remain pious?

English Kings at the time took a vow at their coronation to protect the Church.

Why was it important for the King to have the pope’s goodwill?

If the King aligned himself with heretics, the pope could impose an interdict that prevented people within the country from receiving certain sacraments of the Church

This made kings very unpopular and allowed rebels to claim they were acting in god’s blessing to attack the monarch.

Why was the role of the king regarded as a religious role? How did this help the king to maintain power?

The coronation ceremony was conducted in a Church and the king took his vows before God. The clergy blessed him and emphasised that this role was divinely ordained.

The Church was an ally to the king as to rebel against God’s chosen king was depicted as sinful by orthodox clerics.

Who was John Oldcastle?

Originally, he was a campaigner on the Lancastrian side during the rebellion of Glyndwr and had served under Henry V.

He became an English Lollard leader.

When was the Oldcastle’s rebellion?

January 1414