The murder of Richard Hunne, 1514

Who was Hunne?

A London merchant tailer

What strong sympathies did he have?

With the Lollards

Who was the Lollards?

Early reformers who were carefully watched by the Church for signs of heresy

What personal tragedy did he experience?

Death of infant son at 11 weeks in 1511

What did Thomas Dryffeld- rector of church- demand?

Child’s christening robe as payment for the funeral

What was Hunne’s reaction?

Refusal

What was the priest entitle to claim as fee for conducting the funeral?

The most valuable possession of the deceased

What had Hunne previously supported?

Other tailors and their families in disputes with the Church over accusations of heresy 

What were his activities partially responsible for?

Parliament debating the matter of whether priests were immune from civil law

What was Hunne’s argument under civil law?

His infant cannot own any property so the robe belonged to him not his son

What did Dryffeld do in response?

Report Hunne to the Archbishop of Canterbury in get him excommunicated 

When and where was the first trial?

Lambeth Palace on the 13th May 1512

How was the case settled out of court?

Hunne being asked to pay the value of the robe- 6 shillings and eightpence

What did Hunne try to do on the 17th December?

Attend evensong at St Mary Matfelon accompanied by fellow Lollards

What happened at the service?

It was stopped and Hunne was order to leave

Why did Hunne sue the priest at the Court of King’s bench?

For slandering his good name

What did the Church now do?

Excommunicate Hunne 

What did Hunne reply by issuing?

A writ of praemunire

What was treasonable under the Great Stature of praemunire?

It was treasonable to appeal to any power higher than the king

What had the Pope pronounced meanwhile?

Spiritual power must not be subordinated to that of the state 

What did this place the judges of Hunne’s case in?

A dilemna

What did William Warhem Archbishop of Canterbury do and why?

Having Hunne arrested for heresy as a copy of the Wycliffe translation of the Bible was found in his house

Where was Hunne placed October 1514?

‘Lollards Tower’ of St Paul’s Cathedral 

What happened to him in the cell?

His body was discovered hanging

What testimony was declared after they continued the trial?

He denied transubstantiation and the veneration of saints, and possessed heretical literature

What was he declared of during and what did it deny him from?

Sucide- denied from a Christian burial 

What did the coroner’s judge decide?

he had been murdered having been tortured, strangled, and faked t look like suicide

What happened to his family?

Couldn’t reclaim his property

Who found out about the case?

H8