ABSTRACT
The medieval Church took a lenient line towards those who were critical of its practices or sought spiritual satisfaction beyond its boundaries, as long as they were orthodox or remained silent on matters of faith. Such critics were distinguished from heretics, who were defined by the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 as those Christians who ‘in their pride’ questioned or challenged the ‘holy, orthodox and catholic faith’. In pre-Reformation England, individuals accused of heresy were brought before the ecclesiastical courts and ordered to abjure their errors. If they refused to do so, or later relapsed, they were sentenced to death by burning and their property was confiscated.
