Robert Browne (Brownist) facts for kids
Robert Browne (born in the 1550s, died 1633) was an important English religious leader. He started a group called the Brownists. These were early Separatists, people who wanted to separate from the main Church of England. Later in his life, he rejoined the Church of England and became an Anglican priest.
Contents
Robert Browne's Life Story
Early Life and Education
Robert Browne was born around 1550 at Tolethorpe Hall in Little Casterton, England. He was one of seven children. In 1572, he finished his studies at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he likely met Robert Harrison. Both were inspired by a religious thinker named Thomas Cartwright. Some people believe Browne worked as a schoolmaster at Oundle School after leaving college.
Becoming a Religious Leader
Browne became a lecturer at St Mary's Church, Islington. Here, he started preaching ideas that were different from the official Church of England. His views began to get noticed. In 1578, he went back to Cambridge. He was influenced by Richard Greenham, a Puritan leader. Browne might have been encouraged to become a priest and work in a church. He was offered a teaching job at St Bene't's Church in Cambridge. However, he did not stay there long. He may have decided that the Church of England could not be changed from the inside. He started to look for ways to practice his faith outside the main church.
Starting a New Church
Robert Browne was the first person to leave the Church of England and start his own church. He based his new church on Congregational ideas. This meant that each church group would be independent and govern itself. By 1581, he tried to set up a separate church in Norwich. He was arrested but soon released. This happened with help from William Cecil, who was a relative.
Later in 1581, Browne and his friends left England. They moved to Middelburg in the Netherlands. There, they created a church that they believed followed the teachings of the New Testament. However, this community broke apart within two years because of disagreements among its members.
Important Writings
While in Middelburg, Browne wrote two very important books in 1582. One was A Treatise of Reformation without Tarying for Anie. In this book, he said that a church had the right to make changes without needing permission from the government. The other book was A Booke which sheweth the life and manners of all True Christians. This book explained his idea of independent, self-governing churches. Sharing these books was considered a crime at the time.
Return to the Church of England
Robert Browne was an active Separatist for only a few years, from 1579 to 1585. After this, he returned to the Church of England. He worked as a Headmaster at St Olave's Grammar School from 1586 to 1589. He also led Stamford School from 1589 to 1591. He often argued with people who still held his earlier Separatist views. These people now saw him as someone who had given up his beliefs. He wrote replies to them, including A Reproofe of certaine schismatical persons (1587–1588). This writing helps us understand how his views changed.
In September 1591, he became a deacon and a priest. He served as a priest in Little Casterton and then Thorpe Achurch from 1591 to 1631.
Family and Later Years
Robert Browne was married twice. His first wife was Alice Allen, and they had nine children together. Alice died in 1610. In 1612, Browne married Elizabeth Werrener. He was put in jail 32 times during his life. This was because of his non-conformist beliefs, meaning he did not follow the official church rules. He died in a jail in Northampton. He is buried in St Giles's churchyard in Northampton.
Robert Browne's Impact
Robert Browne is seen as the founder of the Congregational church movement in English-speaking countries. He is also called "The Father of the Pilgrims." This is because the people who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 were part of the Brownist movement he started.
The Uniting Church in Australia remembers him as a church reformer on September 5th each year.
Robert Browne's Writings
- A True and Short Declaration (1581)
- A Treatise of Reformation without Tarrying for any and of the Wickedness of those Preachers which will not reform till the Magistrate command or compel them (1582) – This book argued that the church could make changes without government permission.
- A Book which sheweth the Life and Manners of all true Christians (1582) – This book explained the idea of independent churches.
- An answere to master Cartwright his letter for ioyning with the English Church (1583)
- A true and short declaration, both of the gathering and ioyning together of certaine persons, and also of the lamentable breach and division which fell amongst them (1583)
- A Reproof of Certain Schismatical Persons (date unknown)
- A New Year's Guift (1589)
See also
In Spanish: Robert Browne para niños
