Revival of the Heresy Acts
Encyclopedia
In November 1554, the Revival of the Heresy Acts (1 & 2 Ph. & M. c.6) revived three former Acts against heresy
; the letters patent of 1382 of King Richard II, an Act of 1401 of King Henry IV, and an Act
of 1414 of King Henry V. All three of these laws had been repealed under King Henry VIII
and King Edward VI.
This Act reflects the concern for increased heresy and the lack of authority to deal with it.
It stated:
This Act was repealed in 1559 by section 6 of the Act of Supremacy.
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
; the letters patent of 1382 of King Richard II, an Act of 1401 of King Henry IV, and an Act
Suppression of Heresy Act 1414
The Suppression of Heresy Act 1414 was an Act of the Parliament of England. The Act made heresy an offence against the common law and temporal officers were to swear to help the spiritual officers in the suppression of heresy...
of 1414 of King Henry V. All three of these laws had been repealed under King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
and King Edward VI.
This Act reflects the concern for increased heresy and the lack of authority to deal with it.
It stated:
For the eschewing and avoiding of errors and heresies, which of late have risen, grown, and much increased within this realm, for that the ordinaries have wanted authority to proceed against those that were infected therewith: be it therefore ordained and enacted by authority of this present Parliament, that the statute made in the fifth year of the reign of King Richard II, concerning the arresting and apprehension of erroneous and heretical preachers, and one other statute made in the second year of the reign of King Henry IV, concerning the repressing of heresies and punishment of heretics, and also one other statute made in the second year of the reign of King Henry V, concerning the suppression of heresy and Lollardy, and every article, branch, and sentence contained in the same three several Acts, and every of them, shall from the twentieth day of January next coming be revived, and be in full force, strength, and effect to all intents, constructions, and purposes for ever.
This Act was repealed in 1559 by section 6 of the Act of Supremacy.