Chapter 13

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