Henry Crumpe facts for kids

Henry Crumpe was an Anglo-Irish Cistercian monk who was active between 1380 and 1401. He was known for his strong opinions and for getting into debates with other church leaders.

Who Was Henry Crumpe?

Henry Crumpe was a church leader from Ireland who studied at Oxford University. He wrote speeches, called sermons, where he disagreed with the ideas of another famous thinker, John Wycliffe. Wycliffe had different views on how the church should have power and property.

His Early Life and Ideas

Even though Crumpe argued against Wycliffe, the church later said that some of Crumpe's own ideas were too similar to Wycliffe's. This was especially true for his thoughts on a special church ceremony called the sacrament. Because of this, the church criticized Crumpe. He is also believed to be the person who first called Wycliffe's followers "Lollards".

Facing Trouble with the Church

In 1382, Henry Crumpe was stopped from teaching or debating for a period of time. After this, he went back to Ireland. There, he started speaking out against the special rights of "mendicant friars." These were monks who lived by begging. Crumpe especially disagreed with their role as confessors, which meant they heard people's confessions.

Because of his strong views, a bishop named William Andrew, who was part of the Dominican Order, accused Crumpe of heresy in 1385. Heresy means having beliefs that go against the official teachings of the church.

Later Years and Continued Debates

Henry Crumpe returned to Oxford in 1391, where he quickly became involved in more arguments. He was brought before the King's Council, a group of important advisors to the King. In May 1392, a special group, including powerful church leaders like the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, found him guilty.

Once again, he was stopped from teaching. He went back to Ireland and continued his debates against the friars. Finally, in 1401, the Pope told him he was not allowed to preach about that topic anymore.

What Did Henry Crumpe Write?

A writer named John Bale said that Henry Crumpe wrote these works:

• Determinaciones scholasticae
• Contra religiosos mendicantes
• Contra objecta

Sources

• A New History of Ireland, volume one.