Oldcastle Revolt religious beliefs were considerably influenced by Lollard cleric William Swynderby, who preached in Almeley during his youth. Lollardy was a politico-religious movement initiated by prominent theologian John Wycliffe in the 1370s during his service in the University of Oxford. Lollard beliefs were outlined in the 1395 The Twelve Conclusions of the Lollards, which dealt with their opposition to capital punishment, rejection of religious celibacy, and belief that members of the Clergy should be held accountable to civil laws. The Conclusions also rejected pilgrimages, ornamentation of churches, and religious images because these were said to take away from the true nature
John Wycliffe Linnell John Wycliffe Linnell John Wycliffe Linnell FRCP MC (31 October 1878 – 1 December 1967) was Consulting Physician at the Metropolitan Hospital, Mildmay Mission Hospital and New End Hospital Hampstead. Linnell was born in Pavenham on 31 October 1878, the son of the Rev. John Edward Linnell. He was educated at Bedford Modern School, the University of London and St John’s College, Cambridge. During World War I he served in France, Gallipoli and Egypt, attaining the rank of Major. He was mentioned in despatches and won a Military Cross. After the war, Linnell became Medical Registrar at the London Hospital.