Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Henry V and the…

The idea

Lollardy was a religious movement inspired by John Wycliffe, whose ideas questioned Church authority, the sacraments and the clergy. After the 1401 statute De heretico comburendo, heresy became a capital offence, so Lollardy posed a political as well as a religious challenge. Under Henry V, the challenge was significant because it threatened the unity of the Church and could be linked to rebellion, as in the 1414 Oldcastle rising. The royal response combined suppression with orthodoxy: heresy trials, executions and support for the established Church. The significance lies in the Crown’s use of religious authority to reinforce political control.

What earns the marks

• Explains the origins and core beliefs of Lollardy, including Wycliffe’s criticism of the Church and its sacraments.
• Explains the legal context: De heretico comburendo (1401) made heresy punishable by burning, giving the Crown and Church tools for suppression.
• Explains the political dimension: Lollardy became linked with rebellion, especially the 1414 Oldcastle rising, which raised fears of disorder.
• Explains the royal response: Henry V supported heresy trials, executions and the suppression of Lollard networks, while presenting himself as a defender of orthodoxy.
• Assesses significance: Lollardy was a limited but real challenge that justified stronger royal action against heresy and helped consolidate Lancastrian religious authority.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating Lollardy as a purely religious issue and ignoring its political significance.

  Put it right: Link Lollard beliefs to fears of rebellion and social disorder.

• Assuming Lollardy was a mass movement.

  Put it right: Recognise it was a minority movement, strongest among certain gentry, clergy and urban groups, but still significant to the Crown.

• Confusing the royal response with only parliamentary legislation.

  Put it right: Include the Crown’s active role in trials, executions and support for the Church’s campaign.

Exam tips

• Plan your answer around the concept of significance: identify what made Lollardy a challenge and then evaluate how serious it was.
• Use specific evidence, such as the 1414 Oldcastle rising and the 1401 statute, to support your argument rather than general statements.
• Link the royal response to Henry V’s wider aims, including his need for domestic stability before and during the French wars.