Term for Identification: Lollards

Question

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The Answer is The term "Lollards" refers to a pre-Protestant Christian religious movement that existed from the late 14th century to the English Reformation. It is named after the followers of John Wycliffe, an English theologian, philosopher, church reformer, and Oxford professor who is considered a precursor to Protestantism. Wycliffe criticized the wealth and power of the Church, the corruption among the clergy, and advocated for the translation of the Bible into the vernacular English so that laypeople could read it for themselves.

The Lollards challenged many of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, such as the doctrine of transubstantiation, the sale of indulgences, the veneration of saints, and the authority of the Pope. They also promoted the idea that the Bible should be the primary authority for Christians, rather than the Church hierarchy.

The movement was initially centered in England, but it had some influence in other parts of Europe as well. Lollardy was met with strong opposition from the Church, and many of its adherents were persecuted. Despite this, the ideas of the Lollards persisted and can be seen as contributing to the broader Reformation that took place in the 16th century, which led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations.

Term for Identification: Lollards

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