1329-1384
Banners from the Rotunda of Witnesses
Banner Quote:
Christ's deeds and examples are commandments of what we should do.
This English reformer of the 14th Century is shown preaching from an open Bible, highlighting his stress on the primacy of Scripture. Behind him stands one of this poor preachers, as his followers who fanned out into the countryside were called. Wycliffe was concerned that all people have the Bible in their own language. At the bottom of the banner, he is shown in translation work, depicting his encouragement of the first English Bible. At the top of the design Wycliffe's royal patron, John of Gaunt, is shown with his hand raised to stop any persecution of the reformer. Through his teaching and his writings, Wycliffe's influence permeated the English Church, setting the stage for the English Reformation.