Chapter V: Prose in the Fourteenth Century

The "father of English prose" 403

I. Translators and Adaptators.--Slow growth of the
art of prose--Comparison with France; historians and
novelists--Survival of Latin prose--Walsingham and other
chroniclers--Their style and eloquence--Translators--Trevisa--The
translation of the Travels of "Mandeville"--The "Mandeville"
problem--Jean de Bourgogne and his journey through books--Immense
success of the Travels--Style of the English
translation--Chaucer's prose 404

II. Oratorical Art.--Civil eloquence--Harangues and
speeches--John Ball--Parliamentary eloquence--A parliamentary
session under the Plantagenet kings--Proclamation--Opening
speech--Flowery speeches and business speeches--Debates--Answers
of the Commons--Their Speaker--Government orators, Knyvet,
Wykeham, &c.--Opposition orators, Peter de la Mare--Bargains
and remonstrances--Attitude and power of the Commons--Use of
the French language--Speeches in English 412

III. Wyclif. His Life.--His parentage--Studies at
Oxford--His character--Functions and dignities--First
difficulties with the religious authority--Scene in St.
Paul's--Papal bulls--Scene at Lambeth--The "simple
priests"--Attacks against dogmas--Life at Lutterworth--Death 422

IV. Latin Works of Wyclif.--His Latin--His theory
of the _Dominium_--His starting-point: the theory of
Fitzralph--Extreme, though logical, consequence of the
doctrine: communism--Qualifications and attenuations--Tendency
towards Royal supremacy 427

V. English Works of Wyclif.--He wants to be understood
by all--He translates the Bible--Popularity of the
translation--Sermons and treatises--His style--Humour,
eloquence, plain dealing--Paradoxes and utopies--Lollards--His
descendants in Bohemia and elsewhere 432