SOURCE: Loserth, J. “The Beginnings of Wyclif's Activity in Ecclesiastical Politics.” English Historical Review 11, no. 42 (April 1896): 319-28.

In the following essay, Loserth attempts to establish the appropriate timeline for Wyclif's publication of his infamous critique of papal and ecclesiastical corruption during the volatile period of 1374–84.

Since the time of Shirley and Lechler it has been usual to place the beginnings of Wyclif's engagement in ecclesiastical politics in the year 1366; in other words, he first came forward in questions of ecclesiastical politics in connexion with the demand made by Urban V upon Edward III for the payment of the tribute due to the curia, which had been in arrear for the previous thirty-three years. The importance of Urban's rescript, which is dated 6 June 1365, has hitherto been exaggerated. It does not contain a threat of punishment, as hitherto assumed, for failure of payment, nor is there any question in it...