Sir John Mandeville (1300 – 1371)

1. Composed a French book (compilation) on travel between 1357-1371: The Travels of Sir John Mandeville
   1. The earliest surviving text in French.
   2. One of the most popular of medieval texts. Originally written in Norman French, translated in English, Latin, European languages.
   3. Christopher Columbus (Italian explorer) was influenced by his work and Marco Polo’s earlier travels.
   4. The real author of the book is said to be Jehan de Bourgogne.
   5. Travels are full of anecdotes.
   6. He is believed to be an English Knight, of Saint Albans, a town in North London.Left his country on Michaelmas Day 1322, spent 34 years in travelling throughout Asia and North Africa.  He travelled crossing the sea in 1322: Turkey, Tartary, Percia, Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Chaldea, Amazonia, India
   7. The book sees Jerusalem as the centre of the world, believes that the Holy Land belongs to Christiendom, and show Muslims as usurpers.

John Wyclif/Wycliffe (1320-84)

1. born in a Yorkshire village, educated in Oxford, became regent master in arts at Balliol in 1360, and was appointed as a master in the college, resigned in 1361, to become vicar of Fillingham, later became a bachelor of divinity in 1369, and doctor of divinity in 1372.
2. In 1374, King Edward III, appointed him rector of Lutterworth and later made him  part of deputation to meet a papal deputation at Brussels. He negotiated between King and the Pope.
3. In 1376, Wycliffe wrote ‘Of Civil Dominion’ where he demanded a moral base for church leadership and urged reforms in church.
4. In 1377, Pope Gragory XI issued five papal bulls ordering to prison him, but failed as Pope died.
5. In 1382, Wycliffe was expelled from University of Oxford because of his opposition to traditional church doctrine.
6. He believed Bible as the sole authority for combating the corruption in the church.
7. Described as “The morning star of the reformation”
8. Translated Bible in English
   1. From Latin to Middle English
   2. Wycliffe could not complete the translation, completed by his disciples: Nicholas of Hereford and John Purvey.
9. Other Major Works:
   1. The Truth of the Sacred scriptures (1378): States that the Bible has all that is essential for salvation and the scriptures should be read by all.
   2. The Pope’s power (1379): Exhibits the Papacy as an occupation instituted  by men and not just the clerics.
   3. Apostasy (1379): Condemns the Roman doctrine of Transubstantiation
   4. On the Eucharist (1380): For Wycliffe the idea of Christ’s presence in Eucharist after consectration is only depended upon the sanctity of the one receiving it, not on the consecration of the priest.
   5. Trialogus (1382): Calls for a vernacular translation of Bible for commoners. 
10. Lollard Movement:
    1. Derived from lollium meaning ‘hypocrite’
    2. Wycliffe’s followers were called so, their beliefs were:
       1. The Pope has no part to play in worldly affairs.
       2. The Church was too worldly.
       3. Monasticism has drifted from its spiritual foundation.
       4. the Bible should be available to all in their own language.
       5. ‘Dominion is of Grace’, that is, true power is God’s and attempts to use power for individual gain is therefore wrong.
       6. As human we are all brothers and sisters.
    3. Lollardy was developed into puritanism.