An important factor in today’s civilization and culture is language. The ability to be literate is a privilege and a necessity in a world that relies on common speech, systematic administration and communication through writing. English has been a vital part in today’s society within hundreds of cultures worldwide; however, English has not always been as popular or familiar to those who speak it in the modern world. Indeed, like most things in a constantly changing world, the English language has undergone multitudes of changes and has spread from continent to continent. To understand the way people speak currently would require a deeper look at how it developed and what influenced the changes that has shaped modern English. Throughout the
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John Wyclif, a highly controversial man, not only changed the face of English within society, but also within the well-established institution of the medieval church. By the time Wyclif was born in approximately 1330, English was gradually reemerging as the dominant language. Wyclif, however, immensely augmented the use and importance of English. He was born to Catherine and Roger Wyclif in North Riding of Yorkshire in a time of transition, John grew up in a time where change was constantly occurring. At a young age, he studied theology and received his formal education at Oxford University, where he would later gather support by his fellow Lollards. In 1374, Wyclif was commissioned in the service of the Crown to discuss the differences of the Church between England and Rome. Wyclif had begun his systematic attack on the medieval church by 1378, but later died in December of 1384; however not without a lasting impression on the medieval …show more content…
Not only did his theology present new ideas about the meaning of Christianity, but it spurred awareness against the corruptions of the medieval church. By translating the Latin Vulgate Bible into English and also preaching in English, Wyclif could disseminate his interpretation of the Bible to the laity while allowing them to also interpret the Bible for themselves. Wyclif severely accused the church of being corrupt and through his translations of the Bible, he shared the Scriptures to the general public. Of course, Wyclif’s radical ideas did not miss the attention of the public eye as well as the authority of the church and state. While he had gained many firm supporters, such as those from the lower class and John of Gaunt, Wyclif faced brutal opposition from the papacy and the English government. The strong correlation between church and state made Wyclif a heretic to the Catholic Church and an unpatriotic, revolutionary figure to the English Parliament. Although the Protestant Reformation did not occur until a century after Wyclif, he certainly made a lasting impression on later reformers such as Hus, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin. Wyclif was considered to be the “morning star of
John Wyclif, a highly controversial man, not only changed the face of English within society, but also within the well-established institution of the medieval church. By the time Wyclif was born in approximately 1330, English was gradually reemerging as the dominant language. Wyclif, however, immensely augmented the use and importance of English. He was born to Catherine and Roger Wyclif in North Riding of Yorkshire in a time of transition, John grew up in a time where change was constantly occurring. At a young age, he studied theology and received his formal education at Oxford University, where he would later gather support by his fellow Lollards. In 1374, Wyclif was commissioned in the service of the Crown to discuss the differences of the Church between England and Rome. Wyclif had begun his systematic attack on the medieval church by 1378, but later died in December of 1384; however not without a lasting impression on the medieval …show more content…
Not only did his theology present new ideas about the meaning of Christianity, but it spurred awareness against the corruptions of the medieval church. By translating the Latin Vulgate Bible into English and also preaching in English, Wyclif could disseminate his interpretation of the Bible to the laity while allowing them to also interpret the Bible for themselves. Wyclif severely accused the church of being corrupt and through his translations of the Bible, he shared the Scriptures to the general public. Of course, Wyclif’s radical ideas did not miss the attention of the public eye as well as the authority of the church and state. While he had gained many firm supporters, such as those from the lower class and John of Gaunt, Wyclif faced brutal opposition from the papacy and the English government. The strong correlation between church and state made Wyclif a heretic to the Catholic Church and an unpatriotic, revolutionary figure to the English Parliament. Although the Protestant Reformation did not occur until a century after Wyclif, he certainly made a lasting impression on later reformers such as Hus, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin. Wyclif was considered to be the “morning star of