Heresy Act 1382 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | Sheriffs commissioned to apprehend preachers of heresy, and their abettors. The enormities ensuing the preaching of heresies. |
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| Citation | 5 Ric. 2. Stat. 2. c. 5 |
Quick facts for kids
Status: Repealed
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The Heresy Act 1382 was an important law in medieval England. It was created by the Parliament of England, which was the main law-making group at the time. This law aimed to stop the spread of ideas that the official church considered wrong.
Contents
What Was the Heresy Act 1382?
This law, passed in 1382, gave power to church leaders. It said that the Chancellor, a very important government official, could order people to be arrested. These arrests were for "heretical preachers."
Understanding Heresy in Medieval Times
In the Middle Ages, "heresy" meant having beliefs that went against the official teachings of the Christian church. The church had a lot of power back then. People who preached different ideas were seen as a threat.
How the Law Worked
The Heresy Act 1382 allowed bishops, who were high-ranking church leaders, to report people. If a bishop said someone was preaching heresy, the Chancellor could then send out special orders. These orders allowed people to be arrested. The goal was to stop these preachers and their supporters.
Why Was the Act Repealed?
The Heresy Act 1382 did not last long. It was actually cancelled, or repealed, in the same year it was made. This happened because of a disagreement in Parliament.
The Role of the House of Commons
The Parliament of England had different parts. One important part was the House of Commons. This group was made up of representatives, often called "knights of the shires." They were like elected officials from different areas.
Disagreement and Cancellation
The knights of the shires in the House of Commons said that the Heresy Act had not been properly approved by them. They argued that it had not passed through their part of Parliament correctly. Because of this strong objection, the law was quickly cancelled. This shows that even in medieval times, there could be arguments about how laws were made.
