The Suppression of ‘Dampnable Abusyons’ or the Chasing of Shadows? the English Campaign against Luther and the Bishop of Lincoln’s Court of Audience in July 1528

Abstract

ABSTRACTBishop John Longland’s enthusiasm for apprehending heretics in Oxford and the Chilterns is well known. Evidence elsewhere within Lincoln diocese is sparse and problematic. In July 1528 Henry Burnett was questioned by Longland’s chancellor, John Rayne, about a journey to continental Europe. Geoffrey Dickens, Claire Cross and Peter Marshall all considered Burnett’s case connected to one in York involving a Roberte Robynson. Dickens and Cross concluded both travelled together with four others and all six were lollards open to Lutheran ideas. Marshall, whilst persuaded the six formed one homogeneous group, believed they may have been previously conventionally orthodox and learned their heresy from other English sailors. Both interpretations remain plausible, but this article suggests another possibility: the cases may be unconnected; Burnett, shocked by Lutheranism, simply reported the encounter to his priest who sent him to court; and although Rayne may have suspected heresy evidence available permitted no definitive conclusion.