Wycliffe (or Wyclif), John (c. 1320-1384)

English religious reformer. Allying himself with the party of John of Gaunt, which was opposed to ecclesiastical influence at court, he attacked abuses in the medieval church, maintaining that the Bible rather than the church was the supreme authority. He criticized such fundamental doctrines as priestly absolution, confession, and indulgences, and set disciples to work on the first translation of the Bible into English.

Having studied at Oxford University, he became Master of Balliol College there, and sent out bands of travelling preachers. He was denounced as a heretic, but died peacefully at Lutterworth, Leicestershire. His followers were known as Lollards.