John Wycliffe

1. John Wycliffe

2. John Wycliffe • English theologian and reformer • also called the Morning Star of the Reformation • critical of the papacy • felt that all Christians should have access to the Bible in the vernacular • his Bible becomes first complete, word-for-word translation of Vulgate into English, into a Midland dialect

3. John Wycliffe • Two versions completed: • first by Nicholas of Hereford up to Baruch 3:20 • remainder completed by an unknown scholar • A few years later a second version, revised (less literal and less Latinate), completed by John Purvey • complete Wyclif Bible remained unprinted until 1850

4. John Wycliffe • Also known as the Lollard Bible, extant in 170 copies

5. Lollards • Followers of Wyclif came to be known as "Lollards" • Name perhaps derived from Dutch term lollaerd, meaning mumbler • Sect driven out of Oxford in 1382 • Some devout members circulated Wycliffe's teachings and the "Lollard Conclusions" (1394)

6. Lollards • The Lollards translated the Bible into their vernacular language, English. • Most significant heretical group in England before the Reformation