Crossword clues for lollard
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lollard \Lol"lard\, n. [LL. Lollardi, Lullardi, from Walter Lolhardus, a German; cf. LG. & D. lollen to mumble, to hum, sing in a murmuring strain; hence, OD. lollaerd a mumbler, i. e., of prayers or psalms, which was prob. the origin of the name. See Loll, Lull.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of early reformers in Germany.
-
One of the followers of Wyclif in England. [Called also Loller.]
By Lollards all know the Wyclifities are meant, so called from Walter Lollardus, one of their teachers in Germany.
--Fuller.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
name for certain heretics, late 14c. (in Chaucer, Loller, c.1386), from Middle Dutch lollaerd, applied pejoratively to members of reforming sects c.1300 who devoted themselves to the care of the sick and poor, literally "mumbler, mutterer," so called by critics who regarded them as heretics pretending to humble piety, from lollen "to mumble or doze." Generic late Middle English term for groups suspected of heresy, especially followers of John Wyclif.
Usage examples of "lollard".
Although, no doubt, many of the ecclesiastics of the time were a disgrace to their profession, as in former days was William of Ledbury, who was prior of Malvern, yet there were good Catholics as well as good Lollards, and I instanced Prior Alcock, who even then was engaged in the rebuilding of Little Malvern Priory, and I thought people should be allowed to worship God in their own fashion without being considered sinful.
I asked Giles, in a whisper, what Lollards are, meaning what are they like, and he told me they are followers first of John Wycliffe, who translated the Bible into English, much to the annoyance of the priests, and later of Sir John Oldcastle, who was condemned for heresy but escaped the Tower and plotted against the King's life.
It is certain that he began his reign by making a strong show against the followers of Wickliffe, who were called Lollards, or heretics--although his father, John of Gaunt, had been of that way of thinking, as he himself had been more than suspected of being.