Tale Of A Lollard: William White

There are many stories about the Lollards and Wycliffites, ranging from court records to tales of martyrdom. While some may be of questionable authenticity (or perhaps more extravagant than the actual event), many are true accounts of men and women who risked everything to spread a Gospel which relied upon the Bible, rather than tradition. Here is one such story:

          William White, a priest, appears to have been a learned and upright character; he was a follower of Wycliffe, and resigning his priesthood and benefice, he married a godly young woman; but did not cease from his former office and duty, for he continually laboured in reading, teaching, and writing. The principal points he taught were, "That men should seek forgiveness of their sins from God only; and that the pope was an enemy to Christ's truth; and that men ought not to worship images." After several examinations, he was condemned, and burned at Norwich, in September 1424.
          He is related to have been a man of such a devout and holy life, that the people greatly reverenced him, and desired his prayers, notwithstanding he was condemned to suffer as a heretic. One Margaret White [a relative?] said, that if any saints were to be prayed to, she would rather pray to him than any other. When he came to the stake, he was about to exhort the people to stand fast in the truth; but one of the bishop's servants silenced him by a blow upon the mouth. His wife followed her husband's footsteps, and confirmed many in the truth; for which she suffered much trouble.

Text from The Lollards, by George Stokes, 1838, page 30.