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The origins of Lollardy can be found in the teachings of John Wyclif, a prominent theologian at the University of Oxford beginning in the 1350s.

While the origin of the term is not known, it has been hypothesized to come from the Latin term lolium {"tares" or "weeds"). If true, this would have been a reference to the Lollard heretics springing up like weeds among the grain as in the Biblical parable. An alternative possibility is that it derives from the DutchDutch is a West Germanic language spoken worldwide by around 21 million people. The variety of Dutch spoken in Belgium is also informally called Flemish . The Dutch name for the language is Nederlands or less formal Hollands and Dutch is sometimes called, meaning "mumblers", in reference to their supposed prayerful mumblings.

Lollardy was initially supported by John of GauntJohn of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster ( June 24, 1340 February 3, 1399), was the fourth son of King Edward III of England and is so called because he was born at Ghent in 1340. He became Duke of Lancaster by his first marriage to his cousin, Blanche ( 1359, who gave it some protection and legitimacy. Oxford defended its academic freedomAcademic freedom is a widely used and championed phrase, but an often poorly defined concept with different meanings in different cultures and different contexts. It can refer to the alleged right of students, teachers or academic institutions to do or be, which also gave some protection to the academics who supported it within that institution. However, as the movement developed and became increasingly hostile to hierarchical power and authority, the secular powers began to see it as a threat to their own prerogatives as well as those of the Church. What small measure of protection the Lollards had evaporated. This change in policy was also affected by the removal of John of Gaunt from the scene, when he left England in pursuit of the throne of CastileA former kingdom of Spain, Castile comprises the two regions of Old Castile in north-western Spain, and New Castile in the centre of the country. Previously an eastern county of the kingdom of Leon, Castile in the 11th century became an independent realm, which he claimed through his second wife.

Lollardy was strongly resisted by both the religious and secular authorities. Among those opposing it was Thomas ArundelThomas Arundel ( 1353- 1413) was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards. A younger son of Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel, he held the title of Archbishop of York from 1388 before being, Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury is a bishop of the Church of England. His see is the Diocese of Canterbury and his episcopal chair ('cathedra') is at Canterbury Cathedral. He is the most senior bishop of the Church of England and of the worldwide Anglican Co.

It was finally stamped out completely in the early 15th century after more extreme measures were taken by the Church and State. The most notable of these measures was the burning at the stake of John Badby, a layman and artisan who refused to renounce his Lollard views. His was the first execution of a layman in England for the crime of heresy. Other martyrs for the Lollard cause include Thomas Harding who died at White Hill, Chesham, in 1532.