Walter Brut was a fourteenth century writer from the Welsh borders, whose trial in 1391 is a notable event in the history of Lollardy

Lollardy

Lollardy was a political and religious movement that existed from the mid-14th century to the English Reformation. The term "Lollard" refers to the followers of John Wycliffe, a prominent theologian who was dismissed from the University of Oxford in 1381 for criticism of the Church, especially his...

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Brut described himself as "a sinner, a layman, a farmer and a Christian" in his trial for heresy

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...

 which took place before the Bishop of Hereford

Bishop of Hereford

The Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury.The see is in the City of Hereford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Ethelbert which was founded as a cathedral in 676.The Bishop's residence is...

, John Trefnant. He is mentioned in the medieval English poem Piers Plowman

Piers Plowman

Piers Plowman or Visio Willelmi de Petro Plowman is the title of a Middle English allegorical narrative poem by William Langland. It is written in unrhymed alliterative verse divided into sections called "passus"...

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About the year 1402 he joined the forces of Owain Glyndŵr

Owain Glyndwr

Owain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...

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Sources

• "Text and Controversy from Wyclif to Bale: Essays in Honour of Anne Hudson". English Historical Review, 2007, vol CXXII
• Registrum Johannis Trefnant Episcopi Herefordensis, ed. by W.W. Capes. Canterbury and York Society 20 (1916).