John Wycliffe: The Morning Star (1984) - full transcript
John Wycliffe, the scholar and lay preacher of the 14th century who was later dubbed "The Morning Star of the Reformation", risked his life and freedom to criticize the Church for its abuses of power and its false teachings. The dramatized story of his life includes his battles with Church authorities, his relationship with the peasants and his realization that the Bible must be translated into English, so that the common man, as well as the learned, could read it.
(synthesized and medieval music)
(birds sing)
(shovel scraping and dirt thudding)
(grunts)
(birds caw)
(man grunts)
(shovel scraping)
(grunts)
- What are they doing?
- Digging for bones.
They're trying to rid
the Church of a memory.
One's that haunted them for over 40 years.
- Who was he?
- His name was Wycliffe.
Doctor John Wycliffe.
- You knew him, Father.
- Oh, yes, my son.
I knew him.
- What did he do to deserve this?
- I'll tell you about it.
He was a man
whose life should be remembered
as long as this English nation of ours
loves its freedom.
I first met him when I
was a student at Oxford.
And he was the best teacher I ever had.
The best preacher I ever heard.
He quickened both heart and mind.
He found us as boys
(gentle medieval music)
and led us to manhood.
He's known throughout Europe
as the most brilliant scholar
and philosopher of this age.
But we who watched him
saw that it was his
study of the Scriptures
that really released
his enormous energies.
(trumpets blow fanfare)
His Biblical research
convinced him that our beloved Church
had long since departed
from the New Testament.
(birds sing and chatter)
The Doctor couldn't keep silent.
He called for drastic changes.
And that is when his
troubles began to mount.
- The Holy Father has been sent warning.
John Wycliffe must be got into line
(clatters)
quickly and completely.
- My Lord Archbishop, let me assure you
that I am most zealous to perform
the Holy Father's bidding.
- We must not fail again
this time, Bishop Courtenay.
I have assured His Holiness
that you have the matter under control.
- The political tide has
shifted to our favor,
Your Grace.
Wycliffe could have
been silenced long ago,
but for John of Gault's protection.
But now we have the upper hand.
Besides,
(rustles)
Wycliffe's own words in writing
is all the case we need.
I will see to it that
His Holiness is pleased.
- I am apprehensive.
My brothers, we must
not see only the threat.
I have longed for this opportunity!
At my trial at Saint Paul's
a year ago,
I did not get to say a single
word in my own defense.
My supporters and my opponents
argued over protocol.
And then the mob disrupted the trial.
Nothing was settled because
nothing was discussed!
Now, at least, Bishop Courtenay has moved
this trial to Lambeth,
where, God-willing,
we should be free of outside disturbance.
- I still think the outside disturbance
may have saved your life!
- If the bishops will listen to reason,
if they will answer me from Scripture,
if we can agree
that the glory of God's Church
is to be found in devotion
and faith and service,
not in power and wealth, well Nicholas,
just think of the many
doors this trial could open.
- I only hope it doesn't lock a door.
The one to your cell.
(scraping)
(fire crackles)
- Uncle,
I wish you wouldn't go.
- My dear niece.
I'm sorry to leave you alone.
- I'm worried!
I fear I'll not see you again.
I had a terrible dream last night.
I dreamt you were alone
on an island of rock
in the middle of a vast sea--
- Now don't be afraid!
Are we not in the Hands of the Lord?
I expect He has much more
for both of us to do.
- The friars are saying
that you are a heretic!
That you'll be seized!
- It's certainly like them
to plague a good woman with false fears.
The friars are angry with me because
I say they have no right
to act like parasites,
acquiring riches by leeching off the poor,
yet not requiring enough learning
to read a simple Bible passage.
Have no fear.
I shall be back before long.
- All the same,
it will be dangerous!
Promise me
you'll be careful.
(soft flute music)
- Oh Lord,
King of Heaven
and Earth,
my mind is spinning.
It finds no rest!
How often have I been tempted
to submit and withdraw my writing.
Yet, just as often,
I have been led back to the Authority
of Thy Holy Word!
Facing this trial,
I am a man walking the edge
of a precipice at midnight.
And yet, Father,
I cannot deny the truth of Thy Scriptures!
I thank The that Thou art
altogether wise and gracious.
Lord, give me the wisdom
to defend Thy Word!
Whatever trials there may be,
lend me the Grace to endure them!
(soft organ music)
Into Thy Hands, oh Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Whether for life or death,
for prison or freedom,
according to Thy Holy Will.
In the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus.
(footsteps echo)
(birds sing)
- [John] Good morrow, Nicholas!
- [Nicholas] Good morning, Doctor!
- [John] Do you think we shall
keep pace with these students?
- That, my dear John, is a
question I frequently ponder
before entering my classes.
- (laughs) Well said!
I have received word that we
are to stop on our journey
to confer with John of Gaunt.
- He's aided you greatly
in the past, Doctor.
- He has, indeed!
He's been as devoted a patron to me
as he has been to Geoffrey Chaucer.
- You may need him more than ever now.
- We shall soon see.
But now we must make haste!
(upbeat medieval music)
- God save you, Doctor Wycliffe!
Gentlemen!
- [John] Good day to you, Sheriff.
- Good day.
(murmuring)
- [John] Back to your duties?
- That's right, sir!
This fine fellow's a highwayman!
Been robbing travelers around these parts
for some time past!
But it's the hangman's rope
for him now, all right!
- These young gentlemen
your students, Doctor?
- [John] Yes, sir.
- Look well on this wretch, young sirs.
And remember the fate of men
who fall from the Grace of God!
- You can save your insults, Sheriff.
I am not fallen from God's Grace!
My sins are as surely forgiven
as the sins of any man in England!
- Silence, you dog!
(thuds)
Shall this good doctor
hear your blasphemy?
- [John] Please, Sheriff!
Please let him speak!
I am interested to hear
what he has to say.
- God bless you, Father.
I have been a soldier of the King
and I do not deserve this ill treatment!
- Then why have you taken
to this dishonorable life of stealing?
- Well, you know as well as I do, Father.
You know the law.
It's almost 25 years now
since they fixed laborers' wages.
Said they couldn't go up no more.
(fly buzzing)
But the cost of food
goes up all the time! (chuckles)
A man just can't afford to
earn an honest living no more!
- My son, I know you believe
you have good cause to be bitter,
but nothing can excuse the
breaking of God's Laws.
But what do you mean
that you are assured the
forgiveness of your sins?
- Oh.
Well,
I went to my priest
and I bought an indulgence!
Paid good money for it, too!
My priest promised me
that I had the stored
graces of the Holy Church
for my forgiveness!
(chuckles)
I may be a thief, Father,
but I've always been a good Christian!
- Well, tell me this, good Christian,
did Jesus sell indulgences like yours?
- Well, my indulgence is good, I tell ya!
- Man, the forgiveness of
God is not to be purchased
by a few coins!
- Yeah, but I paid good money!
My priest promised the
indulgence was good!
What
are you saying?
That it's worthless?
- Believe me, my son.
God's forgiveness and grace
will give you true assurance.
No indulgence can do that!
I will ask the Sheriff
to send for my Vicar
at Lutterworth Church
and he will hear your confession
and help you find true repentance.
(grumbles)
It is never too late!
A repentant thief
who died next to Christ on the cross
got the best assurance of all.
"Today," Christ told him,
"thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."
That thief
needed no indulgence.
He needed only to turn to Christ.
- Oh, yeah?
I almost begin to believe you, Father.
(rhythmic medieval music)
(sheep bleating)
(men murmuring)
- I think you'll find water
for the horse down there.
(horse snorts)
(sheep bleat)
(soft music)
- Good sirs!
(birds sing)
Uh, if you please, good sirs!
They say in the village that one of you
be a great doctor of the Church.
If that be so,
may a poor man ask for some help?
- How can I help you, sir?
- Oh, I do not ask for money, Doctor.
Just a little of your time.
- How can I be of service?
- 'Tis my wife that
needs the help, Doctor.
She's beside herself with grief
for the boy child we
had last year that died.
Well, I try to reason
with her and comfort her,
but my words avail as
little as a cold wind.
She will not be comforted.
For myself, I try not to
get too fond of a child
till it gets to be six years of age or so.
So many of the little ones die, you know.
- Has your wife spoken
to the parish priest?
- That's the pity of it, Father.
The babe was not baptized.
- [John] Not baptized?
- 'Twas my fault, Doctor!
There was a special levy from
the Church for the Pope's army
and I had no money for a donation.
- And the priest would not
baptize without a donation?
- No, Father.
- Oh, generation of vipers!
- And before I could earn the money,
the poor babe was carried off by a fever!
Many months have passed,
but my poor wife spends
every day in weeping.
Will you help her, good sir?
- May the Lord bless you
and give you peace, my daughter.
- I thank you for your
kindness, good Doctor.
(sighs) But my heart is so
broken it will not be comforted.
- You see, sir, what did I tell you?
- God will bring peace to your mind
and your heart
if you will only give Him leave.
His Love is especially lent
to broken hearts like yours.
(sniffles)
(sniffles) Father, I will tell
you why my heart aches sore.
(sniffles) Some months ago,
a travelling pardoner
came through our village
and this friar told me that (gasps)
the spirits of unbaptized infants
are cursed to wander as fireflies! (sobs)
- He told you that?
- (sniffles) Yes, Father!
(sobs) And now, whenever I see
the fireflies rise in the summer twilight,
I fear that maybe
the spirit
of my own poor lost child is there!
- Woman, you know that God
has given us a Holy Book
to lead us into all truth.
- The Bible, Father.
- Yes, my daughter.
And I spent my life in
study of these scriptures.
Now I tell you, truly,
that there is nothing
in God's book of this
old wives' tale of the fireflies!
- No, Father?
- No.
No.
Have you ever heard of
the great King David?
- Yes, Father,
in the mystery plays at (inhales)
festival time.
- His story is told us in the Scriptures.
And the Book revealed that one day
the great King David
had one of his own baby children grow sick
and die.
And when the child was dead,
David rose up and said,
"My child will not return to me,
"but shall go, one day, to be with him."
And that was many years before
the institution of baptism.
- Oh, Doctor, you speak so comfortingly.
But how shall I know
that one day I shall
go to be with my child?
- Keep your eyes fixed on that other babe,
born so many years ago in Bethlehem,
Whose death did break the heart
of His own dear mother,
the Holy Virgin.
Keep in your heart
that Christ died to purchase our souls
by His hard suffering on the bitter cross.
And remember that He rose again
at Easter
to call us to Himself in Glory.
(soft flute music)
(sobs and sniffles)
(lively medieval music)
- I'm amazed, Doctor,
at the comfort you give these
troubled souls you meet.
Their countenance changes
in your very presence.
- A but notice, Mister Purvey,
it is the sharing of the
Scriptures that gives the comfort,
is it not?
(sighs)
Well, we are less than one hour
from John of Gaunt's.
We shall soon see what words of comfort
he has in store for us.
(solemn music)
- Don't look to me this
time, John Wycliffe.
I cannot save you again!
I came to your rescue at Saint Paul's,
but at Lambeth you will be alone.
- My Lord, I can--
- I cannot intervene again!
I would do you more harm than good now!
It is only a few short months
since the death of my
beloved father, King Edward.
Now we have a 10-year-old
boy on the throne!
Our dear Richard is no more than a puppet
in the hands of ambitious men.
Men who are afraid,
lest I should usurp their new-found power!
Now is not the time
to have John of Gaunt, Duke
of Lancaster, at your side.
However,
though I shall not be present
to pluck you out of trouble again,
I would give you a little instruction
how to deport yourself at Lambeth.
(scoffs)
For God's sake, Wycliffe,
you are sometimes so naive!
This time, you must try and grasp
the politics of the situation!
- My Lord, your advice is always welcome,
but politics is your Lordship's study,
not my own.
- So you have always said!
Ah, I remember when my father
sent you as a delegate to the
peace conference in Bruges.
You arguments were good and sound,
but your approach so stiff
and unbending.
Even now, you still do not comprehend
the thrust and parry of politics!
(weapons crash and thud)
It's like fighting!
Squire Newberry, defend yourself!
(weapons clash)
Politics is conflict, my dear Wycliffe.
Like a duel or battle.
(grunts and weapons clash)
Fight a political enemy
(weapons clash)
as you would a military enemy.
With tactics.
(grunting and weapons clashing)
Strategy.
Know when to attack.
(weapons clash)
Where to defend.
(shouting and weapons clashing)
And when to bid an honorable retreat!
(shouting)
(grunts and clatters)
- I cry mercy, sir!
- In battle, that would have
cost you your life, squire.
And me a good man.
(squire sighs and shield scraping)
Be off with you!
Wycliffe, have you been listening, man?
- I hear you, my Lord,
but I cannot see how
this applies to my case.
- Then let us be a little more specific.
At Lambeth Palace, your
most dangerous enemy
will not be Sudbury, but Bishop Courtenay.
He seeks your downfall.
He makes no secret of it!
Do not let your quick
tongue fill his quiver
with arrows for your own destruction.
Be diplomatic.
Be moderate.
Fight a tactical battle.
Attack when you can,
retreat when you must.
- My Lord knows that I will speak truly
and remain steadfast in my opinions.
- That is exactly what
I expected you to say!
You and your Saxon stubbornness!
- My Lord would prefer me to
exercise Norman duplicity?
(chuckles)
- Oh, if this were still
an age of champions.
I recall the glorious challenge
my late brother, the Black Prince,
threw down to the King of France.
That they should decide
the issue of a whole war
in single combat.
Think of it.
What both our nations
would have been spared.
- Yes, I know.
- John,
in ecclesiastical matters,
you are my champion
and the champion of England.
You have helped restore to the Crown
its dignity and prerogative
as derived from God.
Maybe now, at last, we shall see an end
to the dominion of popes and prelates.
This English nation will be a mighty one
when it finds the will to rouse itself.
Saxon or Norman,
we stand or fall as Englishmen.
- But the point I make in my writing
is that lordship
comes from God
and can only be exercised as by a steward,
in His service.
I confess
I'm sometimes appalled
by the interpretations
that political men put upon my words.
Yet I have written nothing
but what I have learned in God's Law.
Make no mistake,
I take my stand on the Scriptures.
- (sighs) As you will argue, no doubt,
at Lambert in your customary
contentious manner!
- Circumstances will govern my actions,
but not
as the young squire's
thrusts governed yours,
a few moments ago.
(laughs)
- Wycliffe, you are exasperating!
And I love you for it.
Stick to your Scriptures, then,
and be a David to bring
down the Goliath Courtenay.
And may you conquer,
for he is a tool of Rome
and his ambition would enslave us all!
- Fear not, great Duke!
I place myself in the Mighty Hands of God!
(chuckles)
- Well and good, Doctor.
But at Lambeth,
you might fight that He delivers you
by the hands of a woman.
- My Lord?
(ominous music)
- [Archbishop] Doctor Wycliffe,
you have heard the charges against you.
You have heard the accusers.
You are satisfied that
your teachings have been
accurately presented to this court?
- I deny only that they are unorthodox.
- We would have you questioned
by Bishop Courtenay,
who has studied minutely
the merits of your theses.
Bishop Courtenay.
- Thank you, my Lord Archbishop.
- Doctor Wycliffe.
We rejoice that you have
condescended to obey our summons.
- And I rejoice that you have
studied minutely my theses,
Bishop Courtenay.
You profess, Doctor,
that the authority of human government
can be higher than that of God's Church!
- I have taught that all dominion
comes equally from God.
Again, if it be rightfully
exercised in obedience to God.
Should the Church, corruptly or evilly,
misuse its powers,
then the civil authorities
would have the right
and the duty
to correct that abuse.
- And who will be judge of this?
That same civil authority?
Indeed, Doctor Wycliffe,
is not this famous theory of dominion
a mere justification
for the crown to usurp the
property and prerogative
of the Church?
- No, my Lord, it is not!
(crowd murmurs)
But in the matter of property,
seeing that you refer to it,
I see no basis in the Word of God
for the Church to possess
extreme material wealth!
- Ah!
Can it be that Doctor Wycliffe is jealous
that he has not received the share
that his great talents deserve?
(men murmur)
- One third of the land of
England is owned by the Church,
my Lord Bishop!
Such ownership is not the
business of the Church!
Christ and his apostles lived in poverty.
Might we not do well to
imitate their example?
(men murmuring)
- And how do you suggest we
disposed of the Church's goods?
By presenting them, perhaps,
to the English nobility?
I'm sure the Duke of
Lancaster and his party
could put them to good use!
- No, my Lord Bishop!
But I do have a suggestion.
Rather than pay fat stipends
to the large number of
foreign churchmen
who the Pope has appointed to
absentee English benefices,
the Church might better use its wealth
to feed the poor and starving
common people of this realm!
(men murmur)
Let us begin there!
- Your own mouth condemns you, Wycliffe.
First you seek to undermine
the authority of the Church,
of the bishops and even of the Pope.
And now you instruct us how best
to bring about our own downfall!
You leave little room for doubt
what the verdict of this court must be!
(men murmur)
One last question,
Doctor Wycliffe.
What spiritual authority
would replace the one
that you have just so
effectively demolished?
Your own fevered brain?
- No, Bishop Courtenay.
The only true authority.
The Word of God!
(men chatter)
The Holy Scriptures!
- Let me pass!
Let me pass!
I have an important
document for the Archbishop!
(paper rustles)
- Brothers in Christ,
this is a letter from our
Queen Mother, Joan of Kent.
Speaking on behalf of her son, Richard,
who at his majority will ascend
the throne of this realm,
Her Majesty declares
that Doctor John Wycliffe has rendered
long and valued service to the Crown.
The which she asks this
court to recognize.
Further, she requests that
there be no harassment
of Doctor Wycliffe.
And, lastly, she requests that this court
shall refrain from pronouncing
any final judgement.
(men murmuring)
- She has no right!
- No right, Bishop Courtenay?
No right?
The Queen Mother has spoken
and we shall listen respectfully.
(men murmur)
Dear brothers, let us proceed.
We will confine ourselves
to the consideration
of the points at issue
in Doctor Wycliffe's theses,
and refrain from any
judgement of the man himself.
(men chatter)
- John of Gaunt.
(sighs) I perceive his foul hand in this.
Queen Mother would not have written so
without his prodding.
So,
(smacks kiss)
once again, Wycliffe escapes our grasp.
- You would have delighted
in his destruction, my Lord.
- Delighted?
For God, I should hope not.
You think I relish this conflict?
I would rather have Wycliffe with us
than against us.
He's a brilliant man.
His life spotless.
His devotion to God
beyond question.
Dangerously attractive qualities.
But the man is misled.
He is a heretic and he must be silenced!
If he is not checked,
his voice could poison all of Christendom.
- It is said his following grows daily.
His name and influence
spread like the plague.
You've heard, my Lord,
of the many itinerant priests
he has sent into the countryside
to preach the Scriptures.
- Considering what a mockery
so much of the preaching
of our friars and pardoners
has become of late,
I can hardly condemn him for that.
(sighs)
Sometimes I wonder,
is mine the only voice to be raised
in defense of the true Church?
(kiss smacks and sighs)
What is to be done when the head is such a
weak tool?
Sudbury blows hot and cold
at the breathing of the wind.
He's a coward!
- Archbishops do not
live forever, my Lord.
(sighs)
- Very true, Brother Mark.
But if we wait to fill dead men's shoes,
we may wait too long!
- You have some action in mind?
- Oh, yes.
Yes, indeed.
The bird may have flown beyond our grasp,
but the nest is still
there for the taking.
Oxford is the key.
If Oxford is purged of Wycliffe
and his lalard heresies,
they will lose their credibility.
Without the endorsement
of the academic world,
the nobility will find
them less attractive.
Ideas are only as powerful
as the men that hold them.
Besides,
if the peasants get any more troublesome
than they are already,
the nobility will be the first to cry for
law and order. (smacks kiss)
And where will they turn for help?
To the Church.
(organ music)
- [Father] But Wycliffe
(soft music)
was allowed to remain at Oxford.
Pope Gregory died and chaos ensued.
The Church broke apart with the election
of two rival popes.
England and most of Europe
went with Pope Urban the Sixth
in Rome.
France and a few allies
supported Pope Clement
the Seventh in Avignon.
In the confusion that followed,
John Wycliffe was left free
to continue his writing.
His ideas grew more and more bold.
- This is most strange.
I don't understand.
- Beth!
Ah, there you are, daughter!
What a hunt we had today!
You should have seen it!
Mm!
Two boars dead within the first hour!
The second nearly got poor Newbury!
But why such a grim face?
- We were discussing this new book,
fresh from the copiers, Father.
It arrived the day before yesterday.
(laughing)
- Well, if a book will take
away my daughter's pretty smile,
I regret that I ever allowed her
to be taught her letters!
Oh, it must be very serious, indeed.
- Well, Father,
it is by your old chaplain,
John Wycliffe.
- (sighs) What has the man done now?
- Why, Father, haven't you heard?
This book is book is Wycliffe's attack
on the Church doctrine.
On transubstantiation.
- Against the mass.
This time this priest has gone too far!
Squire Holden!
Get the horses ready!
We ride for Oxford!
(dramatic music)
(soft music)
- [Father] My Lord, he
cannot be disturbed!
(doors slamming)
- You have gone too far, John Wycliffe!
This time, you have gone too far!
- Noble Duke?
- I have just seen what you have written
on the Holy Eucharist!
You have dared to attack the doctrine
of transubstantiation?
The very central doctrine of the Church!
- Yes, my Lord, I have.
- Is that all you have to say,
you wretched pet?
You stand there in your bearded insolence
and simply say, "Yes, my Lord"?
No.
An attack on transubstantiation
is an attack on the mass.
An attack on the mass
is an attack on the
foundation of the Holy Church!
Retract, retract it at once!
- My Lord, the Holy Scriptures tell us
that Jesus Christ is the
foundation of the Church.
- Don't quibble, Doctor!
You are attacking Jesus's sacrifice!
- I think not, my Lord.
Transubstantiation is a modern doctrine
unknown to the fathers of the Church.
Pope Edison the Third, at
the fourth Lateran Council
first proclaimed it.
Less than 200 years ago!
- I care not when it was proclaimed!
It is believed!
Believed throughout the
whole of Christendom!
- My noble Duke!
The fact that something is
believed by the multitudes
does not necessarily make it true!
- Wycliffe!
(sighs)
(sighs) John.
You will know why I ask this thing of you.
- Yes, my Leige, I think that I do.
- We have known each other for many years.
- A great many years.
- You gave loyal service to the old King!
- God rest his soul.
I wish he was alive today.
- John,
you know well the hold you now have
upon the hearts of the
people of this nation.
If you do not recant this folly,
a wound may open
which might never heal.
Already there is rebellion in the air.
(sighs) My nephew Richard
is surrounded by fools
and flatterers!
My Lords of Gloucester and Arundel
pull the strings upon which he dances!
And they are dangerous men!
(sighs)
I am fearful
of what chaos may be let lose in England.
- You do well to be fearful, my Lord.
The poor of this realm
have suffered too much
too long.
- And you would do well to be fearful
if you persist in this new teaching!
(sighs)
I can do no more.
Your stubbornness
puts you at Courtenay's mercy.
- I can only continue the work I've begun.
Man may attack the body, but not the soul!
You would not have me buy
the protection of Courtenay
by selling my soul!
- May God bless your courage, John.
- My Lord,
it has been my privilege to serve you
all these years.
I thank you for
all you have done to shield me.
If you have to step back from me now,
have no fear.
The Lord will be my Shield.
- I might not see your face again.
- God keep us, then,
till we meet in His Kingdom.
- Farewell, John.
- Farewell, great Duke.
(hug slamming)
(door clatters)
(lone flute music)
- This is madness, John,
you know it is!
Their leader John Ball
has escaped from prison!
That could only mean trouble!
We have no business being here!
- How many times have I appealed
on behalf of the poor of
this country, Nicholas?
I'm identified with their cause!
Why should I not speak to these peasants
when they ask to meet me?
- They're on the bring of insurrection.
If it is believed that you
helped to fan the flames--
- Well, let us at least
ask what they have to say!
(sighs)
- Ah, Doctor Wycliffe!
You have come!
- [John] Yes, as you asked.
But why this secrecy?
- For all our sakes, Doctor.
We take a certain risk in talking to you.
We know that you be in
some considerable danger.
Your poor preachers come into our villages
and tell the Bible stories.
- They be our friends.
We think you're our friend, too.
We think you're on our side.
- I think, my friend,
I've already declared myself on your side.
- Well, answer me this, then.
Who is right?
The poor laborers who can't
fill their children's bellies
no matter how hard they work,
or the governers, that
ain't given them a raise
in nigh on 30 years!
- Take care, John,
this is a powder keg!
- You are fully justified in what you say.
It's time things were changed!
- Aye, it's time for a change!
It's time to overthrow the tyrants!
Doctor, we are many thousand strong.
Every man amongst us knows
and honors your name.
If you would help us--
- The purpose of my life is
to help all God's people.
But tell me,
is it true that John Ball
has escaped from prison?
- You know about that?
As a matter of fact, yes, it is so, sir.
- Then it is he who has
stirred up this revolt?
- Oh, he may have stirred it up,
but the pot has been brewing
for a long time, now!
He knows what to do!
- Brothers, listen!
Our Lord Jesus lived in an age of cruelty
and injustice far worse than our own.
He came to overthrow tyranny.
But not with the methods of tyranny!
His Kingdom will prevail,
but we must work for it in His way,
following His Word!
- Words, words!
The time for words is past!
Now is the time for weapons to speak!
- Consider, I beg you!
- Consider, I beg you.
We've had enough of your
fine gentleman's words!
What made us think that
this fine Oxford gentleman
would dirty his hands in our cause?
He doesn't care!
- That is neither just nor true!
- I don't care?
You say I don't care?
How many times have I
spoken for your cause?
Pleaded on your behalf
for mercy that your
wrongs might be righted?
I've appealed to the Church,
begged them to look to
the needs of the poor!
And now my Church censures me.
I am spurned from my efforts
by the civil authorities.
The royal court distrusts me!
And you say I do not care?
You must understand,
the way of arms, if not Christ's way,
cannot be my way.
Nor should it be the way
of any Christian man!
- You are a good man, sir.
And we are not evil men, neither.
Your priests have shown
us the way of Christ
and we wanna follow it.
But it won't put wool on our backs
nor bread in our mouths!
Religious talk can't stop us now!
There's been too much talk
with too little results!
- My brothers, wait!
Our Lord was not the landed gentry.
He was common man, a carpenter,
who left His trade to
become a servant to others!
He washed His disciples' feet!
If you let Him,
God will wash the rancor from your hearts.
And lead you in His way!
We will see things change.
Believe me, we will!
- You've got to understand, sir.
It's gone on for too long.
Far too long.
Now we fight!
(dramatic music)
(drumming)
(thudding and men shouting)
(fire roars)
- [Father] Chaos and
bloodshed came to England
with the outbreak of the peasants' revolt.
Thousands of the poor marched on London,
smashing every authority
except that of the young
King Richard the Second.
The knighthood, once gathered in force,
put down the rebellion,
but it was a time of disorder
and violent protest against
all the institutions
that oppressed the common people.
(birds caw)
The nobility
and many in the Church
began to hold John Wycliffe
to blame for the revolt.
It was charged that his
doctrines made the peasants think
that they were important
in the Eyes of God,
and thus they might have
earthly rights, too.
Simon Sudbury, the
Archbishop of Canterbury,
was beheaded by the mob,
and in the aftermath, Pope Urban appointed
Thomas Courtenay as the new
Archbishop of Canterbury.
With the supreme
ecclesiastical power in England
in his hands at last,
(fire crackles)
Archbishop Courtenay wasted no time
in moving against Wycliffe.
(paper rustles)
- To Chancellor Rigg at Oxford,
without delay.
So, John Wycliffe,
let's see who's master now.
(dramatic music)
(birds singing)
- It had to succumb, John.
Since my appointment, I
fought for your liberty
to teach what you would
within these walls.
Doctrines condemned by the papal court,
teaching forbidden by the Lambeth Council.
But,
it couldn't last.
We both knew that.
Courtenay has appointed a council of 12
to oversee the university.
My authority is by
license of that council.
They have issued their first ordinance.
See for yourself!
- I am to be deprived of
all academic privileges?
- I do not wish to submit,
God knows.
- You have no choice, Chancellor.
While the university remains
an arm of the Church,
you have no choice.
If you resist--
- If I resist,
Pope Urban will place an
end to the university.
The university will lose
all its hard-won privileges!
- My problem's mine.
- Precisely.
Though I feel that would
be the end of the matter,
other heads will roll.
I'm sure of that.
Probably mine, too.
They have no regard for this place
as the greatest center of
learning in the Christian world.
They care only for conformity
and proper obedience!
- So I am to be forbidden to teach!
And am I also to be denied
access to the libraries
for my studies?
- That is undoubtedly what
the Council has in for you.
(inhales) John, its intention
is simply to cut you off
from everything you stood for.
- How can I continue my work?
- As my old friend, I'm,
I don't know.
(mournful vocal and flute music)
- [Man] Good day to you, Doctor!
Bactar, I did not see you there!
And Stivcova!
- That is right, sir.
I'm sorry we disturbed your meditation.
- No disturbance.
I have time for my students always.
You two are near the end of your studies,
are you not?
You'll be returning to
your homeland before long.
- Yes, sir!
And we have something to tell you!
Whilst we've been at Oxford,
we have copied all your work.
Every one of them.
- Every one?
- Every one.
The complete works of
Doctor John Wycliffe.
We copy everything.
- Your books go with us back to Bohemia.
- (sighs) What should I say?
I'm astonished!
And delighted.
- Sir,
Bohemia is such a beautiful country.
In Prague your name is already famous!
Won't you come with us?
Things are so sad for you here now.
We hear you have nothing to teach.
There's danger for you here.
- In Prague, you would be
honored, as you deserve.
- A moment ago, I was in deep despair.
Now, I'm full of joy.
I thank God for two such good friends.
(sighs) But your invitation turns to me,
I am an academic.
I've always lived amongst academics,
and I confess I'm frightened by the
condemnation that's heaped upon my head.
- Please come with us.
You'll find the protection you need
to continue your work.
(sighs)
- No, I think not.
Somehow I feel it's not yet finished.
I think there's still work
for me to do here in England.
- We promise, Doctor.
Whatever happens here in England,
you, your teaching will live on
in the fortress mountains of Bohemia.
- How marvelous are God's ways.
May He ever continue to
do His work through you,
my dear sons in Christ.
You see, in a way,
I do go with you
to your homeland.
(chuckles)
(soft flute music)
Yes!
Yes I see!
I give you thanks, Lord!
Yes, oh yes!
Now I understand!
Lutterworth.
Oh, Lord, it shall be!
Thy will be done!
- Lutterworth?
What will you do at Lutterworth?
- Have I not,
have I not these eight years past
been rector there?
Why should I not resume
my pastoral duties?
Perhaps, it's about time,
considering a number of sermons
I've preached against absentee clerics.
- Oh, you know full well
you've never neglected
your pastoral duties!
Neither here nor Oxford!
- Last night in my prayers,
I suddenly saw quite clearly.
The Divine Hand of Providence
was guiding me back to Lutterworth.
- As pastor?
- Yes,
and what I must do there
will the most challenging
that I shall ever face
in my life as a scholar.
- As a scholar, sir?
What do you mean?
- My entire career has
clearly led me to see
that our entire authority
is only to be found in
traditions with councils.
In the Church we have a Pope.
Higher authority is the Word of God alone!
Over the centuries, that
authority has been eroded,
usurped, and now our nation,
our own people, our civilization,
starves for lack of the World of God!
How do men live under the
authority of God's Word
if they do not know God's Word?
The clergy immersed in it
do not even know their Latin!
(laughs)
It is still a lesson in God's Word.
My task now,
our task, if you will,
Nicholas,
John,
if you will,
is to use this exile
to translate the Holy Scriptures,
all of them,
into English!
Our native English tongue
so they can be heard and understood
by all our people!
Well?
- It will be a glorious
undertaking, Doctor.
- Most of your students will want to help.
There will be no lack of workers.
- You know the shock waves this
will send through the Curia.
Not to mention your
opponents at Canterbury.
You already stand accused of heresy.
Translating the Bible will be seen by some
as nothing less than insurrection
against our Mother Church!
- Yet I see it as nothing
less than my sacred duty!
As a loyal son of Christ's Church.
It's so plain to me now!
How did we ever lose it?
The New Testament was
written in the Koine Greek,
the language of the people!
So Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation
was in the common tongue!
Are Englishmen to be deprived
of the Word of God,
because it's locked up
in a foreign language?
How can we keep a faithful Church
without the Word of God
that is bread for hungry souls?
My dream
is to see
the unquenchable fire of God's Word
kindled in the hearts and
minds of all our people!
All our people.
(thoughtful chanting and organ music)
(birds singing)
- Good day, Lord Wycliffe.
(keys jingling)
- Good day to you, Forest.
Forest?
- Yes, Doctor?
- I don't think I shall be
needing this any further.
- No, Doctor.
Thank you.
God be with you, Doctor Wycliffe.
- And with you, Forest.
(gentle music)
(urgent music)
- [Father] For months, we
labored at our great task,
day after day, close attention
to the Holy Scriptures
became for us a source of revelation
and constantly new insight
into the Truth of God's Law.
Our hearts were set aflame
with the Word of God.
The research, translation
and coping of that Word
became not a task,
but a supreme act of worship.
Throughout this time, Doctor Wycliffe
was sustained by an amazing energy.
While still performing his parish duties
and continuing to write
and speak in public
against the corruption within the Church,
which so deeply distressed him,
he nevertheless managed
to supervise personally
details of the translation work.
But he soon began to realize
that the translation of
the Word into English
was only the first step.
Now, the word had to
be taken to the people.
(solemn organ music)
In the second year at Lutterworth,
Wycliffe suffered a stroke
which left him partly crippled.
But he would not permit his affliction
to disrupt his work.
(footsteps echo)
- Brothers in Christ!
I rejoice to greet you
at this blessed time.
And I thank God that He has spared me
to see this day.
You know, all of you,
that I first began to send out
my little flock of poor priests
during my years at Oxford.
They were a gallant band.
But after my banishment,
I never thought to preside
over such a commissioning again.
Yet here you are!
My brave new flock!
I bless you!
And, oh, how much I thank God for you!
- Within this ville, we have uncovered
the damnable heresies of this pernicious
school man, John Wycliffe!
When shall we be spared
the venom of his pen?
The subversive threat of his presence?
See for yourselves how low he has sunk.
This man, of former great reputation,
the jewel of Oxford,
famed throughout Europe for his knowledge
of the Scriptures and, Fathers,
look now at his depraved teachings!
He attacks the very foundation
of the Church!
Declares it lawful for any man
to preach the Word of God.
Refutes the necessity
of the authorization of the apostolic see.
This Wycliffe
would have the people here preaching
from any common man
who could open a copy of the Scriptures!
- Every man
is called to be a steward of God.
Every man is responsible to God
for what he does with his life.
Every man must stand alone
before the final judgement of God.
God has given us these Scriptures
that we should learn how to think
and believe and live.
Oh, my good brethren,
let us make it known that
it is every man's right
to examine the Scriptures for himself,
to read them in his own tongue,
that he may learn how to serve God.
It is not enough
to leave their
interpretation to the Church.
- He has been condemned for a heretic.
Forbidden to canvas his
pernicious doctrines
and pulpit gospel.
Oxford has been cleansed of his influence
so that it is no longer
a center of heresy.
And yet, this learned doctor
still remains a thorn in the
flesh of the Mother Church!
For now what do we learn?
That he and his acolytes
have been engaged,
from the moment he went to Lutterworth,
in translating the Holy Scriptures
into the common English tongue!
Shall God's Law,
which has come down to us
in the language of learning,
be so abased?
So stripped of majesty?
So enfeebled of meaning?
How shall the vulgar tongue of common men
adequately convey its wisdom?
- Do we really dare
to give the Word of God
in the common tongue
into the hands of the common people?
Do we
fully understand what we are doing?
Will some not
abuse, misuse and misinterpret
the Scriptures?
My brethren,
of course some will.
But has keeping the Scriptures
as the property of the
hierarchy in the clergy
prevented misuse?
No, indeed.
It has furthered its abuse.
We will give God's Word to God's children
and His Spirit will guide them.
It will take time for
growth and understanding.
But I fear what judgement may befall us
if we dare not
give out this Word!
- Did not the blessed
Saint Augustine declare
that it was necessary
only for God's ordained
to understand the Holy Scriptures?
That they alone should
communicate this knowledge?
God
has committed the treasure of His Word
to the keeping of His Holy Church,
that ignorant men should
not misinterpret them
into their own damnation.
- It is reported, your Grace,
that Wycliffe's intention
is to release another
band of ragged preachers
upon the countryside,
this time armed with copies
of the new translation.
- Then they must be stopped!
It shall be ordered
that under King Richard's seal
and upon certification from the Bishop,
that henceforth all itinerant priests
shall be arrested and imprisoned.
- My friends, the way will be hard.
Hunger,
bitter cold,
foul words,
physical attack await you.
It may be you will be
persecuted,
imprisoned.
Then, like Christ, you
will turn the other cheek.
If need be, again and again.
Love Him
and serve Him always.
Therein lies your strength.
- Furthermore, it is the
mandate of this senate
that a condemnation of John Wycliffe
be set forth with all speed.
He shall,
at last,
be delivered into our hands
for the judgement and condemnation
he deserves.
- [Father] Wycliffe never
appeared at the third trial.
He suffered another stroke
whilst attending Mass,
which left him paralyzed.
(men murmur)
(flute music)
The trial went on
in his absence anyway,
but was interrupted by a
rare and violent earthquake.
Both Courtenay's followers and Wycliffe's
saw in it the hand of God's Judgement
on the other.
(soft choral and organ music)
- Master Purvey,
I am glad you are with me now.
- My teacher.
- My son,
our work must go on.
- It must
and it will.
- The time must come when,
by God's Grace,
every man and every woman
in this kingdom
must have the Word of God
in the English language
in their heart.
(mournful music)
(flames crackle)
(birds sing)
(bones clattering)
(bones clatter)
- After his death,
his work and influence
continued to spread,
not only here in England,
but in Europe too
with Jan Hus of Prague.
So there persecution followed.
Many of us were put on trial,
ordered to recant.
Shamefully, some of us did.
But some of us later
renounced our recantations.
- But why do they dig up his grave?
Why do they burn his bones?
- My lad.
13 years ago,
30 years after Doctor Wycliffe's death,
the Council of Constance ordered
that Jan Hus be burned at the stake
and that the bones of John Wycliffe
be dug up and burned to ashes.
- Why?
- Well, somehow,
they think by burning his bones,
that they can erase his memory
and destroy his influence.
But they never will.
(water burbles)
(soft music)
The chronicler Fuller wrote,
"They burnt his bones to ashes
"and cast them into Swift,
"a neighboring brook running hard by.
"Thus this brook hath conveyed his ashes
"into Avon,
"Avon into Savon,
"Savon into the narrow seas,
"they into the main ocean.
"And thus the ashes of Wycliffe
"are the emblem of his doctrine,
"which now is dispersed the world over."
(pensive medieval music)
(birds sing)
(shovel scraping and dirt thudding)
(grunts)
(birds caw)
(man grunts)
(shovel scraping)
(grunts)
- What are they doing?
- Digging for bones.
They're trying to rid
the Church of a memory.
One's that haunted them for over 40 years.
- Who was he?
- His name was Wycliffe.
Doctor John Wycliffe.
- You knew him, Father.
- Oh, yes, my son.
I knew him.
- What did he do to deserve this?
- I'll tell you about it.
He was a man
whose life should be remembered
as long as this English nation of ours
loves its freedom.
I first met him when I
was a student at Oxford.
And he was the best teacher I ever had.
The best preacher I ever heard.
He quickened both heart and mind.
He found us as boys
(gentle medieval music)
and led us to manhood.
He's known throughout Europe
as the most brilliant scholar
and philosopher of this age.
But we who watched him
saw that it was his
study of the Scriptures
that really released
his enormous energies.
(trumpets blow fanfare)
His Biblical research
convinced him that our beloved Church
had long since departed
from the New Testament.
(birds sing and chatter)
The Doctor couldn't keep silent.
He called for drastic changes.
And that is when his
troubles began to mount.
- The Holy Father has been sent warning.
John Wycliffe must be got into line
(clatters)
quickly and completely.
- My Lord Archbishop, let me assure you
that I am most zealous to perform
the Holy Father's bidding.
- We must not fail again
this time, Bishop Courtenay.
I have assured His Holiness
that you have the matter under control.
- The political tide has
shifted to our favor,
Your Grace.
Wycliffe could have
been silenced long ago,
but for John of Gault's protection.
But now we have the upper hand.
Besides,
(rustles)
Wycliffe's own words in writing
is all the case we need.
I will see to it that
His Holiness is pleased.
- I am apprehensive.
My brothers, we must
not see only the threat.
I have longed for this opportunity!
At my trial at Saint Paul's
a year ago,
I did not get to say a single
word in my own defense.
My supporters and my opponents
argued over protocol.
And then the mob disrupted the trial.
Nothing was settled because
nothing was discussed!
Now, at least, Bishop Courtenay has moved
this trial to Lambeth,
where, God-willing,
we should be free of outside disturbance.
- I still think the outside disturbance
may have saved your life!
- If the bishops will listen to reason,
if they will answer me from Scripture,
if we can agree
that the glory of God's Church
is to be found in devotion
and faith and service,
not in power and wealth, well Nicholas,
just think of the many
doors this trial could open.
- I only hope it doesn't lock a door.
The one to your cell.
(scraping)
(fire crackles)
- Uncle,
I wish you wouldn't go.
- My dear niece.
I'm sorry to leave you alone.
- I'm worried!
I fear I'll not see you again.
I had a terrible dream last night.
I dreamt you were alone
on an island of rock
in the middle of a vast sea--
- Now don't be afraid!
Are we not in the Hands of the Lord?
I expect He has much more
for both of us to do.
- The friars are saying
that you are a heretic!
That you'll be seized!
- It's certainly like them
to plague a good woman with false fears.
The friars are angry with me because
I say they have no right
to act like parasites,
acquiring riches by leeching off the poor,
yet not requiring enough learning
to read a simple Bible passage.
Have no fear.
I shall be back before long.
- All the same,
it will be dangerous!
Promise me
you'll be careful.
(soft flute music)
- Oh Lord,
King of Heaven
and Earth,
my mind is spinning.
It finds no rest!
How often have I been tempted
to submit and withdraw my writing.
Yet, just as often,
I have been led back to the Authority
of Thy Holy Word!
Facing this trial,
I am a man walking the edge
of a precipice at midnight.
And yet, Father,
I cannot deny the truth of Thy Scriptures!
I thank The that Thou art
altogether wise and gracious.
Lord, give me the wisdom
to defend Thy Word!
Whatever trials there may be,
lend me the Grace to endure them!
(soft organ music)
Into Thy Hands, oh Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Whether for life or death,
for prison or freedom,
according to Thy Holy Will.
In the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus.
(footsteps echo)
(birds sing)
- [John] Good morrow, Nicholas!
- [Nicholas] Good morning, Doctor!
- [John] Do you think we shall
keep pace with these students?
- That, my dear John, is a
question I frequently ponder
before entering my classes.
- (laughs) Well said!
I have received word that we
are to stop on our journey
to confer with John of Gaunt.
- He's aided you greatly
in the past, Doctor.
- He has, indeed!
He's been as devoted a patron to me
as he has been to Geoffrey Chaucer.
- You may need him more than ever now.
- We shall soon see.
But now we must make haste!
(upbeat medieval music)
- God save you, Doctor Wycliffe!
Gentlemen!
- [John] Good day to you, Sheriff.
- Good day.
(murmuring)
- [John] Back to your duties?
- That's right, sir!
This fine fellow's a highwayman!
Been robbing travelers around these parts
for some time past!
But it's the hangman's rope
for him now, all right!
- These young gentlemen
your students, Doctor?
- [John] Yes, sir.
- Look well on this wretch, young sirs.
And remember the fate of men
who fall from the Grace of God!
- You can save your insults, Sheriff.
I am not fallen from God's Grace!
My sins are as surely forgiven
as the sins of any man in England!
- Silence, you dog!
(thuds)
Shall this good doctor
hear your blasphemy?
- [John] Please, Sheriff!
Please let him speak!
I am interested to hear
what he has to say.
- God bless you, Father.
I have been a soldier of the King
and I do not deserve this ill treatment!
- Then why have you taken
to this dishonorable life of stealing?
- Well, you know as well as I do, Father.
You know the law.
It's almost 25 years now
since they fixed laborers' wages.
Said they couldn't go up no more.
(fly buzzing)
But the cost of food
goes up all the time! (chuckles)
A man just can't afford to
earn an honest living no more!
- My son, I know you believe
you have good cause to be bitter,
but nothing can excuse the
breaking of God's Laws.
But what do you mean
that you are assured the
forgiveness of your sins?
- Oh.
Well,
I went to my priest
and I bought an indulgence!
Paid good money for it, too!
My priest promised me
that I had the stored
graces of the Holy Church
for my forgiveness!
(chuckles)
I may be a thief, Father,
but I've always been a good Christian!
- Well, tell me this, good Christian,
did Jesus sell indulgences like yours?
- Well, my indulgence is good, I tell ya!
- Man, the forgiveness of
God is not to be purchased
by a few coins!
- Yeah, but I paid good money!
My priest promised the
indulgence was good!
What
are you saying?
That it's worthless?
- Believe me, my son.
God's forgiveness and grace
will give you true assurance.
No indulgence can do that!
I will ask the Sheriff
to send for my Vicar
at Lutterworth Church
and he will hear your confession
and help you find true repentance.
(grumbles)
It is never too late!
A repentant thief
who died next to Christ on the cross
got the best assurance of all.
"Today," Christ told him,
"thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."
That thief
needed no indulgence.
He needed only to turn to Christ.
- Oh, yeah?
I almost begin to believe you, Father.
(rhythmic medieval music)
(sheep bleating)
(men murmuring)
- I think you'll find water
for the horse down there.
(horse snorts)
(sheep bleat)
(soft music)
- Good sirs!
(birds sing)
Uh, if you please, good sirs!
They say in the village that one of you
be a great doctor of the Church.
If that be so,
may a poor man ask for some help?
- How can I help you, sir?
- Oh, I do not ask for money, Doctor.
Just a little of your time.
- How can I be of service?
- 'Tis my wife that
needs the help, Doctor.
She's beside herself with grief
for the boy child we
had last year that died.
Well, I try to reason
with her and comfort her,
but my words avail as
little as a cold wind.
She will not be comforted.
For myself, I try not to
get too fond of a child
till it gets to be six years of age or so.
So many of the little ones die, you know.
- Has your wife spoken
to the parish priest?
- That's the pity of it, Father.
The babe was not baptized.
- [John] Not baptized?
- 'Twas my fault, Doctor!
There was a special levy from
the Church for the Pope's army
and I had no money for a donation.
- And the priest would not
baptize without a donation?
- No, Father.
- Oh, generation of vipers!
- And before I could earn the money,
the poor babe was carried off by a fever!
Many months have passed,
but my poor wife spends
every day in weeping.
Will you help her, good sir?
- May the Lord bless you
and give you peace, my daughter.
- I thank you for your
kindness, good Doctor.
(sighs) But my heart is so
broken it will not be comforted.
- You see, sir, what did I tell you?
- God will bring peace to your mind
and your heart
if you will only give Him leave.
His Love is especially lent
to broken hearts like yours.
(sniffles)
(sniffles) Father, I will tell
you why my heart aches sore.
(sniffles) Some months ago,
a travelling pardoner
came through our village
and this friar told me that (gasps)
the spirits of unbaptized infants
are cursed to wander as fireflies! (sobs)
- He told you that?
- (sniffles) Yes, Father!
(sobs) And now, whenever I see
the fireflies rise in the summer twilight,
I fear that maybe
the spirit
of my own poor lost child is there!
- Woman, you know that God
has given us a Holy Book
to lead us into all truth.
- The Bible, Father.
- Yes, my daughter.
And I spent my life in
study of these scriptures.
Now I tell you, truly,
that there is nothing
in God's book of this
old wives' tale of the fireflies!
- No, Father?
- No.
No.
Have you ever heard of
the great King David?
- Yes, Father,
in the mystery plays at (inhales)
festival time.
- His story is told us in the Scriptures.
And the Book revealed that one day
the great King David
had one of his own baby children grow sick
and die.
And when the child was dead,
David rose up and said,
"My child will not return to me,
"but shall go, one day, to be with him."
And that was many years before
the institution of baptism.
- Oh, Doctor, you speak so comfortingly.
But how shall I know
that one day I shall
go to be with my child?
- Keep your eyes fixed on that other babe,
born so many years ago in Bethlehem,
Whose death did break the heart
of His own dear mother,
the Holy Virgin.
Keep in your heart
that Christ died to purchase our souls
by His hard suffering on the bitter cross.
And remember that He rose again
at Easter
to call us to Himself in Glory.
(soft flute music)
(sobs and sniffles)
(lively medieval music)
- I'm amazed, Doctor,
at the comfort you give these
troubled souls you meet.
Their countenance changes
in your very presence.
- A but notice, Mister Purvey,
it is the sharing of the
Scriptures that gives the comfort,
is it not?
(sighs)
Well, we are less than one hour
from John of Gaunt's.
We shall soon see what words of comfort
he has in store for us.
(solemn music)
- Don't look to me this
time, John Wycliffe.
I cannot save you again!
I came to your rescue at Saint Paul's,
but at Lambeth you will be alone.
- My Lord, I can--
- I cannot intervene again!
I would do you more harm than good now!
It is only a few short months
since the death of my
beloved father, King Edward.
Now we have a 10-year-old
boy on the throne!
Our dear Richard is no more than a puppet
in the hands of ambitious men.
Men who are afraid,
lest I should usurp their new-found power!
Now is not the time
to have John of Gaunt, Duke
of Lancaster, at your side.
However,
though I shall not be present
to pluck you out of trouble again,
I would give you a little instruction
how to deport yourself at Lambeth.
(scoffs)
For God's sake, Wycliffe,
you are sometimes so naive!
This time, you must try and grasp
the politics of the situation!
- My Lord, your advice is always welcome,
but politics is your Lordship's study,
not my own.
- So you have always said!
Ah, I remember when my father
sent you as a delegate to the
peace conference in Bruges.
You arguments were good and sound,
but your approach so stiff
and unbending.
Even now, you still do not comprehend
the thrust and parry of politics!
(weapons crash and thud)
It's like fighting!
Squire Newberry, defend yourself!
(weapons clash)
Politics is conflict, my dear Wycliffe.
Like a duel or battle.
(grunts and weapons clash)
Fight a political enemy
(weapons clash)
as you would a military enemy.
With tactics.
(grunting and weapons clashing)
Strategy.
Know when to attack.
(weapons clash)
Where to defend.
(shouting and weapons clashing)
And when to bid an honorable retreat!
(shouting)
(grunts and clatters)
- I cry mercy, sir!
- In battle, that would have
cost you your life, squire.
And me a good man.
(squire sighs and shield scraping)
Be off with you!
Wycliffe, have you been listening, man?
- I hear you, my Lord,
but I cannot see how
this applies to my case.
- Then let us be a little more specific.
At Lambeth Palace, your
most dangerous enemy
will not be Sudbury, but Bishop Courtenay.
He seeks your downfall.
He makes no secret of it!
Do not let your quick
tongue fill his quiver
with arrows for your own destruction.
Be diplomatic.
Be moderate.
Fight a tactical battle.
Attack when you can,
retreat when you must.
- My Lord knows that I will speak truly
and remain steadfast in my opinions.
- That is exactly what
I expected you to say!
You and your Saxon stubbornness!
- My Lord would prefer me to
exercise Norman duplicity?
(chuckles)
- Oh, if this were still
an age of champions.
I recall the glorious challenge
my late brother, the Black Prince,
threw down to the King of France.
That they should decide
the issue of a whole war
in single combat.
Think of it.
What both our nations
would have been spared.
- Yes, I know.
- John,
in ecclesiastical matters,
you are my champion
and the champion of England.
You have helped restore to the Crown
its dignity and prerogative
as derived from God.
Maybe now, at last, we shall see an end
to the dominion of popes and prelates.
This English nation will be a mighty one
when it finds the will to rouse itself.
Saxon or Norman,
we stand or fall as Englishmen.
- But the point I make in my writing
is that lordship
comes from God
and can only be exercised as by a steward,
in His service.
I confess
I'm sometimes appalled
by the interpretations
that political men put upon my words.
Yet I have written nothing
but what I have learned in God's Law.
Make no mistake,
I take my stand on the Scriptures.
- (sighs) As you will argue, no doubt,
at Lambert in your customary
contentious manner!
- Circumstances will govern my actions,
but not
as the young squire's
thrusts governed yours,
a few moments ago.
(laughs)
- Wycliffe, you are exasperating!
And I love you for it.
Stick to your Scriptures, then,
and be a David to bring
down the Goliath Courtenay.
And may you conquer,
for he is a tool of Rome
and his ambition would enslave us all!
- Fear not, great Duke!
I place myself in the Mighty Hands of God!
(chuckles)
- Well and good, Doctor.
But at Lambeth,
you might fight that He delivers you
by the hands of a woman.
- My Lord?
(ominous music)
- [Archbishop] Doctor Wycliffe,
you have heard the charges against you.
You have heard the accusers.
You are satisfied that
your teachings have been
accurately presented to this court?
- I deny only that they are unorthodox.
- We would have you questioned
by Bishop Courtenay,
who has studied minutely
the merits of your theses.
Bishop Courtenay.
- Thank you, my Lord Archbishop.
- Doctor Wycliffe.
We rejoice that you have
condescended to obey our summons.
- And I rejoice that you have
studied minutely my theses,
Bishop Courtenay.
You profess, Doctor,
that the authority of human government
can be higher than that of God's Church!
- I have taught that all dominion
comes equally from God.
Again, if it be rightfully
exercised in obedience to God.
Should the Church, corruptly or evilly,
misuse its powers,
then the civil authorities
would have the right
and the duty
to correct that abuse.
- And who will be judge of this?
That same civil authority?
Indeed, Doctor Wycliffe,
is not this famous theory of dominion
a mere justification
for the crown to usurp the
property and prerogative
of the Church?
- No, my Lord, it is not!
(crowd murmurs)
But in the matter of property,
seeing that you refer to it,
I see no basis in the Word of God
for the Church to possess
extreme material wealth!
- Ah!
Can it be that Doctor Wycliffe is jealous
that he has not received the share
that his great talents deserve?
(men murmur)
- One third of the land of
England is owned by the Church,
my Lord Bishop!
Such ownership is not the
business of the Church!
Christ and his apostles lived in poverty.
Might we not do well to
imitate their example?
(men murmuring)
- And how do you suggest we
disposed of the Church's goods?
By presenting them, perhaps,
to the English nobility?
I'm sure the Duke of
Lancaster and his party
could put them to good use!
- No, my Lord Bishop!
But I do have a suggestion.
Rather than pay fat stipends
to the large number of
foreign churchmen
who the Pope has appointed to
absentee English benefices,
the Church might better use its wealth
to feed the poor and starving
common people of this realm!
(men murmur)
Let us begin there!
- Your own mouth condemns you, Wycliffe.
First you seek to undermine
the authority of the Church,
of the bishops and even of the Pope.
And now you instruct us how best
to bring about our own downfall!
You leave little room for doubt
what the verdict of this court must be!
(men murmur)
One last question,
Doctor Wycliffe.
What spiritual authority
would replace the one
that you have just so
effectively demolished?
Your own fevered brain?
- No, Bishop Courtenay.
The only true authority.
The Word of God!
(men chatter)
The Holy Scriptures!
- Let me pass!
Let me pass!
I have an important
document for the Archbishop!
(paper rustles)
- Brothers in Christ,
this is a letter from our
Queen Mother, Joan of Kent.
Speaking on behalf of her son, Richard,
who at his majority will ascend
the throne of this realm,
Her Majesty declares
that Doctor John Wycliffe has rendered
long and valued service to the Crown.
The which she asks this
court to recognize.
Further, she requests that
there be no harassment
of Doctor Wycliffe.
And, lastly, she requests that this court
shall refrain from pronouncing
any final judgement.
(men murmuring)
- She has no right!
- No right, Bishop Courtenay?
No right?
The Queen Mother has spoken
and we shall listen respectfully.
(men murmur)
Dear brothers, let us proceed.
We will confine ourselves
to the consideration
of the points at issue
in Doctor Wycliffe's theses,
and refrain from any
judgement of the man himself.
(men chatter)
- John of Gaunt.
(sighs) I perceive his foul hand in this.
Queen Mother would not have written so
without his prodding.
So,
(smacks kiss)
once again, Wycliffe escapes our grasp.
- You would have delighted
in his destruction, my Lord.
- Delighted?
For God, I should hope not.
You think I relish this conflict?
I would rather have Wycliffe with us
than against us.
He's a brilliant man.
His life spotless.
His devotion to God
beyond question.
Dangerously attractive qualities.
But the man is misled.
He is a heretic and he must be silenced!
If he is not checked,
his voice could poison all of Christendom.
- It is said his following grows daily.
His name and influence
spread like the plague.
You've heard, my Lord,
of the many itinerant priests
he has sent into the countryside
to preach the Scriptures.
- Considering what a mockery
so much of the preaching
of our friars and pardoners
has become of late,
I can hardly condemn him for that.
(sighs)
Sometimes I wonder,
is mine the only voice to be raised
in defense of the true Church?
(kiss smacks and sighs)
What is to be done when the head is such a
weak tool?
Sudbury blows hot and cold
at the breathing of the wind.
He's a coward!
- Archbishops do not
live forever, my Lord.
(sighs)
- Very true, Brother Mark.
But if we wait to fill dead men's shoes,
we may wait too long!
- You have some action in mind?
- Oh, yes.
Yes, indeed.
The bird may have flown beyond our grasp,
but the nest is still
there for the taking.
Oxford is the key.
If Oxford is purged of Wycliffe
and his lalard heresies,
they will lose their credibility.
Without the endorsement
of the academic world,
the nobility will find
them less attractive.
Ideas are only as powerful
as the men that hold them.
Besides,
if the peasants get any more troublesome
than they are already,
the nobility will be the first to cry for
law and order. (smacks kiss)
And where will they turn for help?
To the Church.
(organ music)
- [Father] But Wycliffe
(soft music)
was allowed to remain at Oxford.
Pope Gregory died and chaos ensued.
The Church broke apart with the election
of two rival popes.
England and most of Europe
went with Pope Urban the Sixth
in Rome.
France and a few allies
supported Pope Clement
the Seventh in Avignon.
In the confusion that followed,
John Wycliffe was left free
to continue his writing.
His ideas grew more and more bold.
- This is most strange.
I don't understand.
- Beth!
Ah, there you are, daughter!
What a hunt we had today!
You should have seen it!
Mm!
Two boars dead within the first hour!
The second nearly got poor Newbury!
But why such a grim face?
- We were discussing this new book,
fresh from the copiers, Father.
It arrived the day before yesterday.
(laughing)
- Well, if a book will take
away my daughter's pretty smile,
I regret that I ever allowed her
to be taught her letters!
Oh, it must be very serious, indeed.
- Well, Father,
it is by your old chaplain,
John Wycliffe.
- (sighs) What has the man done now?
- Why, Father, haven't you heard?
This book is book is Wycliffe's attack
on the Church doctrine.
On transubstantiation.
- Against the mass.
This time this priest has gone too far!
Squire Holden!
Get the horses ready!
We ride for Oxford!
(dramatic music)
(soft music)
- [Father] My Lord, he
cannot be disturbed!
(doors slamming)
- You have gone too far, John Wycliffe!
This time, you have gone too far!
- Noble Duke?
- I have just seen what you have written
on the Holy Eucharist!
You have dared to attack the doctrine
of transubstantiation?
The very central doctrine of the Church!
- Yes, my Lord, I have.
- Is that all you have to say,
you wretched pet?
You stand there in your bearded insolence
and simply say, "Yes, my Lord"?
No.
An attack on transubstantiation
is an attack on the mass.
An attack on the mass
is an attack on the
foundation of the Holy Church!
Retract, retract it at once!
- My Lord, the Holy Scriptures tell us
that Jesus Christ is the
foundation of the Church.
- Don't quibble, Doctor!
You are attacking Jesus's sacrifice!
- I think not, my Lord.
Transubstantiation is a modern doctrine
unknown to the fathers of the Church.
Pope Edison the Third, at
the fourth Lateran Council
first proclaimed it.
Less than 200 years ago!
- I care not when it was proclaimed!
It is believed!
Believed throughout the
whole of Christendom!
- My noble Duke!
The fact that something is
believed by the multitudes
does not necessarily make it true!
- Wycliffe!
(sighs)
(sighs) John.
You will know why I ask this thing of you.
- Yes, my Leige, I think that I do.
- We have known each other for many years.
- A great many years.
- You gave loyal service to the old King!
- God rest his soul.
I wish he was alive today.
- John,
you know well the hold you now have
upon the hearts of the
people of this nation.
If you do not recant this folly,
a wound may open
which might never heal.
Already there is rebellion in the air.
(sighs) My nephew Richard
is surrounded by fools
and flatterers!
My Lords of Gloucester and Arundel
pull the strings upon which he dances!
And they are dangerous men!
(sighs)
I am fearful
of what chaos may be let lose in England.
- You do well to be fearful, my Lord.
The poor of this realm
have suffered too much
too long.
- And you would do well to be fearful
if you persist in this new teaching!
(sighs)
I can do no more.
Your stubbornness
puts you at Courtenay's mercy.
- I can only continue the work I've begun.
Man may attack the body, but not the soul!
You would not have me buy
the protection of Courtenay
by selling my soul!
- May God bless your courage, John.
- My Lord,
it has been my privilege to serve you
all these years.
I thank you for
all you have done to shield me.
If you have to step back from me now,
have no fear.
The Lord will be my Shield.
- I might not see your face again.
- God keep us, then,
till we meet in His Kingdom.
- Farewell, John.
- Farewell, great Duke.
(hug slamming)
(door clatters)
(lone flute music)
- This is madness, John,
you know it is!
Their leader John Ball
has escaped from prison!
That could only mean trouble!
We have no business being here!
- How many times have I appealed
on behalf of the poor of
this country, Nicholas?
I'm identified with their cause!
Why should I not speak to these peasants
when they ask to meet me?
- They're on the bring of insurrection.
If it is believed that you
helped to fan the flames--
- Well, let us at least
ask what they have to say!
(sighs)
- Ah, Doctor Wycliffe!
You have come!
- [John] Yes, as you asked.
But why this secrecy?
- For all our sakes, Doctor.
We take a certain risk in talking to you.
We know that you be in
some considerable danger.
Your poor preachers come into our villages
and tell the Bible stories.
- They be our friends.
We think you're our friend, too.
We think you're on our side.
- I think, my friend,
I've already declared myself on your side.
- Well, answer me this, then.
Who is right?
The poor laborers who can't
fill their children's bellies
no matter how hard they work,
or the governers, that
ain't given them a raise
in nigh on 30 years!
- Take care, John,
this is a powder keg!
- You are fully justified in what you say.
It's time things were changed!
- Aye, it's time for a change!
It's time to overthrow the tyrants!
Doctor, we are many thousand strong.
Every man amongst us knows
and honors your name.
If you would help us--
- The purpose of my life is
to help all God's people.
But tell me,
is it true that John Ball
has escaped from prison?
- You know about that?
As a matter of fact, yes, it is so, sir.
- Then it is he who has
stirred up this revolt?
- Oh, he may have stirred it up,
but the pot has been brewing
for a long time, now!
He knows what to do!
- Brothers, listen!
Our Lord Jesus lived in an age of cruelty
and injustice far worse than our own.
He came to overthrow tyranny.
But not with the methods of tyranny!
His Kingdom will prevail,
but we must work for it in His way,
following His Word!
- Words, words!
The time for words is past!
Now is the time for weapons to speak!
- Consider, I beg you!
- Consider, I beg you.
We've had enough of your
fine gentleman's words!
What made us think that
this fine Oxford gentleman
would dirty his hands in our cause?
He doesn't care!
- That is neither just nor true!
- I don't care?
You say I don't care?
How many times have I
spoken for your cause?
Pleaded on your behalf
for mercy that your
wrongs might be righted?
I've appealed to the Church,
begged them to look to
the needs of the poor!
And now my Church censures me.
I am spurned from my efforts
by the civil authorities.
The royal court distrusts me!
And you say I do not care?
You must understand,
the way of arms, if not Christ's way,
cannot be my way.
Nor should it be the way
of any Christian man!
- You are a good man, sir.
And we are not evil men, neither.
Your priests have shown
us the way of Christ
and we wanna follow it.
But it won't put wool on our backs
nor bread in our mouths!
Religious talk can't stop us now!
There's been too much talk
with too little results!
- My brothers, wait!
Our Lord was not the landed gentry.
He was common man, a carpenter,
who left His trade to
become a servant to others!
He washed His disciples' feet!
If you let Him,
God will wash the rancor from your hearts.
And lead you in His way!
We will see things change.
Believe me, we will!
- You've got to understand, sir.
It's gone on for too long.
Far too long.
Now we fight!
(dramatic music)
(drumming)
(thudding and men shouting)
(fire roars)
- [Father] Chaos and
bloodshed came to England
with the outbreak of the peasants' revolt.
Thousands of the poor marched on London,
smashing every authority
except that of the young
King Richard the Second.
The knighthood, once gathered in force,
put down the rebellion,
but it was a time of disorder
and violent protest against
all the institutions
that oppressed the common people.
(birds caw)
The nobility
and many in the Church
began to hold John Wycliffe
to blame for the revolt.
It was charged that his
doctrines made the peasants think
that they were important
in the Eyes of God,
and thus they might have
earthly rights, too.
Simon Sudbury, the
Archbishop of Canterbury,
was beheaded by the mob,
and in the aftermath, Pope Urban appointed
Thomas Courtenay as the new
Archbishop of Canterbury.
With the supreme
ecclesiastical power in England
in his hands at last,
(fire crackles)
Archbishop Courtenay wasted no time
in moving against Wycliffe.
(paper rustles)
- To Chancellor Rigg at Oxford,
without delay.
So, John Wycliffe,
let's see who's master now.
(dramatic music)
(birds singing)
- It had to succumb, John.
Since my appointment, I
fought for your liberty
to teach what you would
within these walls.
Doctrines condemned by the papal court,
teaching forbidden by the Lambeth Council.
But,
it couldn't last.
We both knew that.
Courtenay has appointed a council of 12
to oversee the university.
My authority is by
license of that council.
They have issued their first ordinance.
See for yourself!
- I am to be deprived of
all academic privileges?
- I do not wish to submit,
God knows.
- You have no choice, Chancellor.
While the university remains
an arm of the Church,
you have no choice.
If you resist--
- If I resist,
Pope Urban will place an
end to the university.
The university will lose
all its hard-won privileges!
- My problem's mine.
- Precisely.
Though I feel that would
be the end of the matter,
other heads will roll.
I'm sure of that.
Probably mine, too.
They have no regard for this place
as the greatest center of
learning in the Christian world.
They care only for conformity
and proper obedience!
- So I am to be forbidden to teach!
And am I also to be denied
access to the libraries
for my studies?
- That is undoubtedly what
the Council has in for you.
(inhales) John, its intention
is simply to cut you off
from everything you stood for.
- How can I continue my work?
- As my old friend, I'm,
I don't know.
(mournful vocal and flute music)
- [Man] Good day to you, Doctor!
Bactar, I did not see you there!
And Stivcova!
- That is right, sir.
I'm sorry we disturbed your meditation.
- No disturbance.
I have time for my students always.
You two are near the end of your studies,
are you not?
You'll be returning to
your homeland before long.
- Yes, sir!
And we have something to tell you!
Whilst we've been at Oxford,
we have copied all your work.
Every one of them.
- Every one?
- Every one.
The complete works of
Doctor John Wycliffe.
We copy everything.
- Your books go with us back to Bohemia.
- (sighs) What should I say?
I'm astonished!
And delighted.
- Sir,
Bohemia is such a beautiful country.
In Prague your name is already famous!
Won't you come with us?
Things are so sad for you here now.
We hear you have nothing to teach.
There's danger for you here.
- In Prague, you would be
honored, as you deserve.
- A moment ago, I was in deep despair.
Now, I'm full of joy.
I thank God for two such good friends.
(sighs) But your invitation turns to me,
I am an academic.
I've always lived amongst academics,
and I confess I'm frightened by the
condemnation that's heaped upon my head.
- Please come with us.
You'll find the protection you need
to continue your work.
(sighs)
- No, I think not.
Somehow I feel it's not yet finished.
I think there's still work
for me to do here in England.
- We promise, Doctor.
Whatever happens here in England,
you, your teaching will live on
in the fortress mountains of Bohemia.
- How marvelous are God's ways.
May He ever continue to
do His work through you,
my dear sons in Christ.
You see, in a way,
I do go with you
to your homeland.
(chuckles)
(soft flute music)
Yes!
Yes I see!
I give you thanks, Lord!
Yes, oh yes!
Now I understand!
Lutterworth.
Oh, Lord, it shall be!
Thy will be done!
- Lutterworth?
What will you do at Lutterworth?
- Have I not,
have I not these eight years past
been rector there?
Why should I not resume
my pastoral duties?
Perhaps, it's about time,
considering a number of sermons
I've preached against absentee clerics.
- Oh, you know full well
you've never neglected
your pastoral duties!
Neither here nor Oxford!
- Last night in my prayers,
I suddenly saw quite clearly.
The Divine Hand of Providence
was guiding me back to Lutterworth.
- As pastor?
- Yes,
and what I must do there
will the most challenging
that I shall ever face
in my life as a scholar.
- As a scholar, sir?
What do you mean?
- My entire career has
clearly led me to see
that our entire authority
is only to be found in
traditions with councils.
In the Church we have a Pope.
Higher authority is the Word of God alone!
Over the centuries, that
authority has been eroded,
usurped, and now our nation,
our own people, our civilization,
starves for lack of the World of God!
How do men live under the
authority of God's Word
if they do not know God's Word?
The clergy immersed in it
do not even know their Latin!
(laughs)
It is still a lesson in God's Word.
My task now,
our task, if you will,
Nicholas,
John,
if you will,
is to use this exile
to translate the Holy Scriptures,
all of them,
into English!
Our native English tongue
so they can be heard and understood
by all our people!
Well?
- It will be a glorious
undertaking, Doctor.
- Most of your students will want to help.
There will be no lack of workers.
- You know the shock waves this
will send through the Curia.
Not to mention your
opponents at Canterbury.
You already stand accused of heresy.
Translating the Bible will be seen by some
as nothing less than insurrection
against our Mother Church!
- Yet I see it as nothing
less than my sacred duty!
As a loyal son of Christ's Church.
It's so plain to me now!
How did we ever lose it?
The New Testament was
written in the Koine Greek,
the language of the people!
So Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation
was in the common tongue!
Are Englishmen to be deprived
of the Word of God,
because it's locked up
in a foreign language?
How can we keep a faithful Church
without the Word of God
that is bread for hungry souls?
My dream
is to see
the unquenchable fire of God's Word
kindled in the hearts and
minds of all our people!
All our people.
(thoughtful chanting and organ music)
(birds singing)
- Good day, Lord Wycliffe.
(keys jingling)
- Good day to you, Forest.
Forest?
- Yes, Doctor?
- I don't think I shall be
needing this any further.
- No, Doctor.
Thank you.
God be with you, Doctor Wycliffe.
- And with you, Forest.
(gentle music)
(urgent music)
- [Father] For months, we
labored at our great task,
day after day, close attention
to the Holy Scriptures
became for us a source of revelation
and constantly new insight
into the Truth of God's Law.
Our hearts were set aflame
with the Word of God.
The research, translation
and coping of that Word
became not a task,
but a supreme act of worship.
Throughout this time, Doctor Wycliffe
was sustained by an amazing energy.
While still performing his parish duties
and continuing to write
and speak in public
against the corruption within the Church,
which so deeply distressed him,
he nevertheless managed
to supervise personally
details of the translation work.
But he soon began to realize
that the translation of
the Word into English
was only the first step.
Now, the word had to
be taken to the people.
(solemn organ music)
In the second year at Lutterworth,
Wycliffe suffered a stroke
which left him partly crippled.
But he would not permit his affliction
to disrupt his work.
(footsteps echo)
- Brothers in Christ!
I rejoice to greet you
at this blessed time.
And I thank God that He has spared me
to see this day.
You know, all of you,
that I first began to send out
my little flock of poor priests
during my years at Oxford.
They were a gallant band.
But after my banishment,
I never thought to preside
over such a commissioning again.
Yet here you are!
My brave new flock!
I bless you!
And, oh, how much I thank God for you!
- Within this ville, we have uncovered
the damnable heresies of this pernicious
school man, John Wycliffe!
When shall we be spared
the venom of his pen?
The subversive threat of his presence?
See for yourselves how low he has sunk.
This man, of former great reputation,
the jewel of Oxford,
famed throughout Europe for his knowledge
of the Scriptures and, Fathers,
look now at his depraved teachings!
He attacks the very foundation
of the Church!
Declares it lawful for any man
to preach the Word of God.
Refutes the necessity
of the authorization of the apostolic see.
This Wycliffe
would have the people here preaching
from any common man
who could open a copy of the Scriptures!
- Every man
is called to be a steward of God.
Every man is responsible to God
for what he does with his life.
Every man must stand alone
before the final judgement of God.
God has given us these Scriptures
that we should learn how to think
and believe and live.
Oh, my good brethren,
let us make it known that
it is every man's right
to examine the Scriptures for himself,
to read them in his own tongue,
that he may learn how to serve God.
It is not enough
to leave their
interpretation to the Church.
- He has been condemned for a heretic.
Forbidden to canvas his
pernicious doctrines
and pulpit gospel.
Oxford has been cleansed of his influence
so that it is no longer
a center of heresy.
And yet, this learned doctor
still remains a thorn in the
flesh of the Mother Church!
For now what do we learn?
That he and his acolytes
have been engaged,
from the moment he went to Lutterworth,
in translating the Holy Scriptures
into the common English tongue!
Shall God's Law,
which has come down to us
in the language of learning,
be so abased?
So stripped of majesty?
So enfeebled of meaning?
How shall the vulgar tongue of common men
adequately convey its wisdom?
- Do we really dare
to give the Word of God
in the common tongue
into the hands of the common people?
Do we
fully understand what we are doing?
Will some not
abuse, misuse and misinterpret
the Scriptures?
My brethren,
of course some will.
But has keeping the Scriptures
as the property of the
hierarchy in the clergy
prevented misuse?
No, indeed.
It has furthered its abuse.
We will give God's Word to God's children
and His Spirit will guide them.
It will take time for
growth and understanding.
But I fear what judgement may befall us
if we dare not
give out this Word!
- Did not the blessed
Saint Augustine declare
that it was necessary
only for God's ordained
to understand the Holy Scriptures?
That they alone should
communicate this knowledge?
God
has committed the treasure of His Word
to the keeping of His Holy Church,
that ignorant men should
not misinterpret them
into their own damnation.
- It is reported, your Grace,
that Wycliffe's intention
is to release another
band of ragged preachers
upon the countryside,
this time armed with copies
of the new translation.
- Then they must be stopped!
It shall be ordered
that under King Richard's seal
and upon certification from the Bishop,
that henceforth all itinerant priests
shall be arrested and imprisoned.
- My friends, the way will be hard.
Hunger,
bitter cold,
foul words,
physical attack await you.
It may be you will be
persecuted,
imprisoned.
Then, like Christ, you
will turn the other cheek.
If need be, again and again.
Love Him
and serve Him always.
Therein lies your strength.
- Furthermore, it is the
mandate of this senate
that a condemnation of John Wycliffe
be set forth with all speed.
He shall,
at last,
be delivered into our hands
for the judgement and condemnation
he deserves.
- [Father] Wycliffe never
appeared at the third trial.
He suffered another stroke
whilst attending Mass,
which left him paralyzed.
(men murmur)
(flute music)
The trial went on
in his absence anyway,
but was interrupted by a
rare and violent earthquake.
Both Courtenay's followers and Wycliffe's
saw in it the hand of God's Judgement
on the other.
(soft choral and organ music)
- Master Purvey,
I am glad you are with me now.
- My teacher.
- My son,
our work must go on.
- It must
and it will.
- The time must come when,
by God's Grace,
every man and every woman
in this kingdom
must have the Word of God
in the English language
in their heart.
(mournful music)
(flames crackle)
(birds sing)
(bones clattering)
(bones clatter)
- After his death,
his work and influence
continued to spread,
not only here in England,
but in Europe too
with Jan Hus of Prague.
So there persecution followed.
Many of us were put on trial,
ordered to recant.
Shamefully, some of us did.
But some of us later
renounced our recantations.
- But why do they dig up his grave?
Why do they burn his bones?
- My lad.
13 years ago,
30 years after Doctor Wycliffe's death,
the Council of Constance ordered
that Jan Hus be burned at the stake
and that the bones of John Wycliffe
be dug up and burned to ashes.
- Why?
- Well, somehow,
they think by burning his bones,
that they can erase his memory
and destroy his influence.
But they never will.
(water burbles)
(soft music)
The chronicler Fuller wrote,
"They burnt his bones to ashes
"and cast them into Swift,
"a neighboring brook running hard by.
"Thus this brook hath conveyed his ashes
"into Avon,
"Avon into Savon,
"Savon into the narrow seas,
"they into the main ocean.
"And thus the ashes of Wycliffe
"are the emblem of his doctrine,
"which now is dispersed the world over."
(pensive medieval music)