REBELS WITH A CAUSE
In medieval England, heretics didn’t tend to be anti-Christian, nor atheist. They simply believed in a simpler form of Christianity, one that didn’t involve the rituals and ceremonies of the Catholic Church. As such, the persecution of heretics – which resulted in thousands of people being burned at the stake, both in England and across Europe – can largely be seen more as an issue of disobedience towards the Church rather than overtly anti-Christian behaviour.
Until around 1160, only a small number of leaders of heretic groups were burned
