Friars and Lollards

As time went by, some monks forgot their rules. They allowed themselves better food, including meat. They stopped working in the fields. They began to keep servants to cook and clean for them.

Soon after the year 1200, St Francis in Italy and St Dominic in Spain started groups of friars. The friars had to be really poor - they had to live as beggars. It was their job to preach the Christian message to the people. By about 1220, there were friars in England.

Monasteries were often in country places, but friars worked in towns. They wore threadbare clothes, went without shoes, and lived in simple shacks. Their only food was what kind people gave them.

The friars were soon very popular. Crowds came to hear them preach. Rich men and women gave them money, which the friars kept for themselves. Before long, they too had fine churches, wore warmer clothes, and were looked after by servants.

Men and women complained about rich and lazy bishops, monks, and friars. A teacher at Oxford called John Wycliffe said it was time for reform – putting things right. His followers, who were called Lollards, drew big crowds when they preached. The bishops began to worry, and got the kings to take their side. Many Lollards were locked up, and some were put to death.

Walter Robson: Medieval Britain; Oxford University Press, 1991/2000, page 22 f.