A son of King Edward III of England, John of Gaunt opposed the political power of the Catholic clergy. He became an ally of the pre-Reformer, John Wycliffe, who also actively condemned the corruption of the pope and the priests. Wycliffe was directly involved in the translation of the Bible, from the Latin Vulgate, into English. When the Bishop of London summoned Wycliffe to be tried for heresy, John of Gaunt accompanied him and openly defied the Bishop. Without supporters like that, it is likely that Wycliffe would have been burned at the stake, much like his protege, Jan Hus.

Reformers