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JOHN WVCLIFFE.
instituted to the rectory of F'ylingham in Lincolnshire,
a living in the gift of that society. He devoted
himself to the pursuit of learning with an untiring
diligence, and achieved the highest reputation. His
supremacy as a scholar was undisputed, especially in
logic and dialectics, and his deep study of the Holy
Scriptures led to his being distinguished among his
contemporaries by the appellation of the Evangelic
Doctor. The distinction he had gained for learning
and talent led to his being employed as one of the
royal commissioners,^ who were sent to Bruges to
confer with the envoys of the pope on the question
of the claims made by the latter for arrears of
the tribute due to Rome under the convention of
King John. No payment had been made for thirtythree
years. The pope's claim had been distinctly
repudiated by the Parliament in 1365. Bishops,
Lords, and Commons were unanimous on the point.
The issue of the conference at Bruges was that no
reservation should be insisted upon by the pope, but
the king was also bound to confer no benefices by an
arbitrary writ. Wycliffe's part in the negotiations
must have given satisfaction to the king, for his preferment
speedily took place to a prebendal stall in
the collegiate church of A\'estbury, and to the rectory
of Lutterworth in Leicestershire.
On the death of the Black Prince, in 1376, John
of Gaunt became a ruling influence in court and
'
Dr. Lechler considers that Wycliffe's appointment as commissioner
was probably due to the influence of Jolm of Gaunt.
"John Wycliffe and his English Prccvirsors," vol. i. p. 231.
Translated by Dr. Lorimcr.