The Lollards were a religious movement in England during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. They followed the teachings of John Wycliffe, who criticized the practices of the Catholic Church and advocated for reforms. The Lollards emphasized the importance of the Bible and believed it should be accessible to everyone, promoting the translation of scripture into the vernacular. Lollardy was characterized by its opposition to certain church doctrines, such as the belief in transubstantiation and the authority of the clergy. The movement faced persecution, and many Lollards were executed or imprisoned for their beliefs. Despite this, their ideas contributed to the later development of the Protestant Reformation.