John Wycliff was a radical Oxford philosopher and theologian, protected by John of Gaunt (who needed academic propaganda to support his attack on Church), despite condemnation of his teachings by pope and a synod of English Church 1382. Produced many treatises: De Dominio Divino and De Dominio Civile attacked governmental structure of contemporary Church, rejecting clergy's possession of worldly wealth; De Eucharistia denied orthodox doctrine of transubstantiation. Wycliff's lectures at Oxford influenced students, who disseminated his opinions. Wycliffe is a Religious reformer,
born near Richmond, Yorkshire, N England, UK. He studied at Oxford, where he taught philosophy, then entered the Church, becoming Rector of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, in 1374. He was sent to Bruges to treat with ambassadors from the Pope about ecclesiastical abuses, but his views were found unacceptable, and he was prosecuted. He then attacked the Church hierarchy, priestly power, and the doctrine of transubstantiation, wrote many popular tracts in English (as opposed to Latin), and issued the first English translation of the Bible. His opinions were condemned, and he was forced to retire to Lutterworth, where he wrote prolifically until his death. The characteristic of his teaching was its insistence on inward religion in opposition to the formalism of the time. His followers were known as Lollards, and the influence of his teaching was widespread in England, in many respects anticipating the Reformation. Wycliff's doctrines.