John Wycliffe

c. 1328 – 31 December 1384

John Wycliffe (c. 1328-1384) was an English theologian, Oxford scholar, and church reformer whose criticisms of clerical wealth and papal authority anticipated the Protestant Reformation. He promoted the translation of the Bible into English, and his followers, known as Lollards, spread his ideas across England. His teachings were posthumously condemned and his remains exhumed and burned in 1428.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with John Wycliffe.

Life events

Born in Yorkshire, England
c. 1328

Wycliffe was born in the North Riding of Yorkshire, traditionally at Hipswell near Richmond.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at the University of Oxford
c. 1345

Wycliffe spent most of his career at Oxford, where he studied and taught arts, philosophy, and theology.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Master of Balliol College, Oxford
c. 1361

Wycliffe was elected master of Balliol College, a position he held briefly before taking up a church living.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Received his doctorate in theology at Oxford
1372

Wycliffe completed the degree of doctor of divinity, establishing his standing as one of Oxford's leading theologians.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served on a royal embassy to Bruges
July 1374

Wycliffe was appointed to an English delegation negotiating with papal representatives at Bruges over papal taxation and appointments.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Propositions condemned by Pope Gregory XI
22 May 1377

Gregory XI issued bulls condemning eighteen propositions drawn from Wycliffe's writings on civil and ecclesiastical dominion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Retired to his parish at Lutterworth
1381

After his teachings on the Eucharist were condemned at Oxford, Wycliffe withdrew to his rectory at Lutterworth in Leicestershire, where he continued writing prolifically.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Inspired the first complete English translation of the Bible
c. 1382

The Middle English Bible translation associated with Wycliffe and his followers was produced during his final years and completed after his death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died at Lutterworth after a stroke
31 December 1384

Wycliffe suffered a stroke during Mass on 28 December 1384 and died three days later on 31 December.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓