earticle

영어

In this article, I've tried to figure out some crucial aspects of the later Lollards compared to the early Wycliffites at Oxford. The key themes that led Wyclif to the papal condemnation were mainly his theory on secular dominion and the denial of transubstantiation at the sacrament. These were linked to the germing of nationalism and anti-papalism in late medieval England. However, since Sir John Oldcastle's rebellion the characteristics of the Lollards gradually were changed keeping their identity more radically away from the thought of Wyclif and early Wycliffites. I have chosen three main themes representing the ideas of late Lollardy: (1) the rejection of the images in the church, (2) anti-clericalism, (3) emphasis on English literacy. Although the later Lollards remained without a leader or center, the clandestine use and circulation of vernacular pamphlets and books would be a good way of developing their identity. For them, the independent reading and understanding of vernacular scriptures and books were the main weapon to counter the current church hierarchy. The rejection of the images and the development of anti-clericalism were the logical conclusion of their own interpretation of the Bible because they believed that no biblical endorsement was found regarding these themes. The clear self-consciousness of the vernacular was a comfortable landmark to distinguish the early Wycliffites from the later Lollards.