Nicholas of Hereford

Nicholas Of Hereford was a theological scholar and advocate of the English reform movement within the Roman Church. He collaborated with John Wycliffe on the first complete English translation of the Bible.  He later recanted his unorthodox views and participated in the repression of other reformers. Nicholas was ordained in 1370 and later received a doctorate in theology (1382) from Oxford. While at Oxford, he was influenced by Wycliffe and denounced clerical luxury and affirmed the right of every Christian to establish his personal belief through meditation on the Scriptures. He and Wycliffe were condemned and excommunicated for their views.

He was sentenced to imprisonment for life but escaped during a popular uprising against the Pope in June 1385.  On his return to England, he was jailed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and subjected to harsh treatment at Saltwood Castle, Kent (1388–89. Nicholas recanted his beliefs in 1391, granted royal protection, and appointed theological inquisitor of suspected heretics. Records from the time report that he vigorously disputed his former Lollard colleagues. He was appointed chancellor of Hereford Cathedral (1391), and in 1395 he became chancellor of St. Paul’s, London. From 1397 to 1417, he was treasurer at Hereford; shortly before his death he resigned the post and entered a Carthusian monastery.