1. Mystics and Heretics WyclifPersonal religion

2. Clergy - Hierarchy Pope Archbishops Bishops (~20): generally University graduates Priests: Grammar school graduates Deacons Subdeacons 3. The Medieval English Clergy Secular clergy: priests living in the world, not under a rule; no vows, can possess property, under authority of a bishop Regular clergy: clergy living under a rule; either monastic or regular canons 4. Layfolks Catechism Mid 14th C. 5. Mystics Richard Rolle (1300-1349) The Fire of Love, The Mending of Love Walter Hilton (d. 1396) The Scale of Perfection Author of The Cloud of Unknowing Julian of Norwich (1343-1416) The Book of Showings 6. Richard Rolle Began at Oxford but abruptly left Criticized by some later writers for expressing manifestation of God through physical experiences Died of plague? 7. Rolle- Influence Many copies of his works Challenge to clergy Control of inner spiritual life Reject role of reason 8. Rolle Revelation through inner song. Renounce the desire for knowledge. Our spiritual work is not to know God, but to love Him. Work with aristocratic womenHermitage at Hampole 9. Julian of Norwich (1343-~1416) Visions while at the point of death at age 30 Wrote two version Short text Long text Reconstructed shrine at Norwich 10. Book of Showings First known work by a female in English Claims to be unlettered Addresses the euen cristen (even-Christian) Spiritual sight is not just for the educated, Latinate 11. God, gender and the human body I saw that God enioyeth that he is our fader, God enioyeth that he is our moder, and God enioyeth that he is our very spouse, and our soule is his lovid wife. "our savior is our very moder in whom we be endlesly borne and never shall come out of him" God serves us in our most humble needs 12. Wyclif Canterbury College 1365 Appointed warden of a group of secular clergy and monks (displacing a monk) 1367 New Archbishop makes it monks only Secular fellows including Wyclif protest 13. BBC Discussion 14. Controversial Ideas Papal Taxation Against clerical wealth Against excess wealth of nobles Against accepted view of transubstantiation in the Eucharist 15. Dominion The right to exercise authority and, indirectly, to hold property Natural possession Civil possession Civil law preserves the necessities of life Evangelical possession Requires the owner be in a state of grace 16. Property All gifts of God are common Private property a result of original sin Monarch given authority over property; Church over the spiritual realm Corruption of Church from Gift of Constantine 17. Trial of Wyclif AD 1377 Ford Madox Brown, 1886 18. VIDEO: REFORMATION OVERVIEW JOHN WYCLIFFE Christian History Institute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6gJnGdlJkE 19. The Bible Any part of Holy Scripture is true according to the excellence of the Divine Word. Reading the Scripture (allegorically) Obtain a reliable text, Understand the logic of Scripture, Compare the parts of Scripture with one another, Maintain an attitude of humble seeking, Receive the instruction of the Spirit 20. Translation Justification for translations from Hebrew and Greek: 'Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ'. St. Jerome They (friars) say it is heresy to speak of the holy Scripture in English, and so they would condemn the Holy Ghost that gave it in tongues to the apostles of Christ Wyclif Against the Orders of Friars For this reason Saint Jerome labored and translated the Bible from divers tongues into Latin that it might after be translated into other tongues. 21. Gospel of John Late 14th C. 4 3/8 22. Wyclif Heresy Charges 1382 The substance of material bread and wine, doth remain in the sacrament of the altar after the consecration. Christ is not in the sacrament of the altar truly and really, in his proper and corporal person. That if a bishop or a priest be in deadly sin, he doth not order, consecrate, nor baptize. If a man, be truly contrite and penitent: all exterior and outer confession, is but superfluous and unprofitable 23. Wycliffes heretical articles There is nothing in the Gospel indicated that Christ established the Mass If the pope be a reprobate and evil man, and consequently a member of the devil: he hath not that given him by the Emperor. That since the time of Urban VI, there is no accepted Pope Ecclesiastical ministers should not have any temporal possessions. 24. Erroneous articles of Wyclif No churchman should excommunicate any man unless he knows the man is excommunicated by God. If the man has appealed to the King the action is treason. Secular authorities can seize private property of offending clerics 25. Erroneous articles Tithes may be withheld from their local curates and bestowed on others Special prayers for one person are not better than general prayers Friars should live by labor and not by begging 26. Chaucers Parson There was a good man of religion, too, A country parson, poor, I warrant you; But rich he was in holy thought and work. He was a learned man also, a clerk, Who Christ's own gospel truly sought to preach; Devoutly his parishioners would he teach. 27. Parson and possessions He was right loath to curse to get a tithe, But rather would he give, in case of doubt, Unto those poor parishioners about, Part of his income, even of his goods. 28. Parson: Teacher and Model Out of the gospel then that text he caught, And this figure he added thereuntoThat, if gold rust, what shall poor iron do? For if the priest be foul, in whom we trust, What wonder if a layman yield to lust? 29. Parson: Teacher and Model And shame it is, if priest take thought for keep, A shitty shepherd, shepherding clean sheep. Well ought a priest example good to give, By his own cleanness, how his flock should live 30. Lollards Spread of Ideas In English!!