early reformers and humanists

• The legacy of the Lollards

  Lollardy:

  • term of abuse for followers of John Wycliffe in the 14th century
  • became an underground movement by the 16th century
  • followers, mostly literate craftsmen and merchants, viewed as heretics
• The legacy of the Lollards

  Beliefs

  • christianity should be based on Bible, not priestly interpretation
  • everyone should have an English Bible and interpret it individually
  • rejected the need for priests as intermediaries with God
  • did not believe in transubstantiation
  • believed in predestination (only the "elect" would go to heaven)
• The legacy of the Lollards

  Impact on Religious Belief and Practice:

  • difficult to assess due to persecution and heresy charges
  • support dwindled among nobility and gentry due to heresy laws
  • small groups survived in secret, e.g, in High Wycombe
  • radical ideas persisted among artisans who had access to continental ideas
  • influenced by Martin Luther's views on faith and good works
• The legacy of the Lollards

  Lutheranism and Royal Supremacy:

  • questioned chruch's role and the priesthood
  • advocated for monarch as Head of the church
  • Martin Luther argues for power from the people, not religious authority from the king
  • William Tyndale supported a godly prince leading religious change
  • Christopher St German argues for king's authority over church, and not the Pope
  • influenced key advisers to Henry VIII, such as Thomas Cranmer and Cromwell
• Humanism in England

  • growth of printing press increased book availability and support for humanism
  • humanism sought to purify religion from errors in translation, based on original texts
  • focused on free will and purifying church practices, not challenging Catholic beliefs
  • Humanists aimed for knowledge through original texts and reform within the church
• Humanism within England:

  Erasmus, More and Colet:

  • they were the key humanists
  • Erasmus wrote to interpret the bible for Christian actions
  • Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon supported Humanist ideals
  • Henry aimed to purify the church, dismiss superstition, and rewrite the Bible based on Greek texts
  • More helped Henry write "Defense of the Seven Sacraments" against Luther
  • More's strong response to Luther accused him of heresy and moral corruption