Lollardy was a religious movement that existed from the mid-14th century until the English Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its main focus was on reform of the Church of England, which at that time was seen as corrupt and out of touch with modern day society.
Lollards believed in practical Christianity rather than theological speculation, focusing on working towards change within the church instead of forming their own separate denomination. Although it failed to achieve widespread acceptance during its lifetime, lollardy has since been recognised as an important precursor to Protestantism and is now studied by historians worldwide.
Thanks to historical research, we can now better understand this obscure but influential movement.

What Is Meant By Lollard Movement?
Lollardy was a religious movement that existed from the mid-14th century until the English Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its main focus was on reform of the Church of England, which at that time was seen as corrupt and backwards by many people.
Lollards were opposed to traditional Catholic practices such as pilgrimages and monasticism, instead focusing on reforming their own church from within. Some historians see Lollardy as a precursor to Protestant Christianity, while others say there is not enough evidence to support this claim definitively.
Although it has been largely forgotten over the years, Lollardy remains an important part of British history.
Lollardy was a proto-Protestant Christian religious movement
The Lollard Movement was a proto-Protestant Christian religious movement that flourished in the Middle Ages. Its adherents advocated for reform within the Church of England, and they were eventually persecuted by the state.
Some historians believe that Lollardy may have been an early form of Protestantism, and its influence can be seen in later movements like Puritanism and Quakerism. Today, Lollards are considered historical curiosity rather than a popular faith, but their legacy is still evident in modern day Christianity.
For more information on this obscure period in English history, read about it in one of our recommended books.
It existed from the mid-14th century until the 16th-century English Reformation
The Lollard movement was a religious and political protest against the Church of England that existed from the mid-14th century until the 16th-century English Reformation.
It began as a reformist sect within the Catholic Church, but it soon became disenchanted with its restrictions on free speech and chose to separate itself from Catholicism altogether.
Led by John Wycliffe in the 1380s, Lollards espoused radical new interpretations of Christian scripture that caused tensions with both church officials and mainstream Protestants. In 1414, King Henry V issued an edict outlawing all forms of Lollardy throughout his kingdom, sparking several years of intense persecution culminating in many deaths among its adherents.
Ultimately though, the movement failed to achieve any lasting impact on English society and eventually petered out due to cultural changes outside of their control.
Its main focus was on reform of the Church of England
The Lollard Movement was a reform movement within the Church of England that focused on improving religious practices and reforming the church governance structures.
Its main focus was on making sure that people had direct access to the Bible, rather than having it mediated through clergymen. The Lollard Movement also advocated for greater freedom of speech and conscience, including allowing people to read secular texts in public spaces without fear of punishment from authorities.
Despite its various successes, the Lollard Movement ultimately failed due to internal divisions and persecution by authorities. Today, there is still discussion around whether or not certain aspects of the Lollard Movement could be applied today in order to improve religious practice across denominations.
To Recap
The Lollard Movement was a religious and political movement in the 12th century that aimed to reform Christianity. The name “Lollard” comes from the Old English word “lōc,” meaning “to speak.” The Lollard Movement is often considered the beginning of Protestantism, as it rejected monasticism and centralized control over religion.
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