- Brownist
The Brownists were followers of
Robert Browne who was born atTolethorpe Hall inRutland ,England in about 1550.Origins
There had been early advocates of a congregational form of organization for the
Church of England , in the time of Henry VIII. When, on the re-establishment of the Anglican Church, after Mary's reign, it became clear that the English government had other plans, they looked towards setting up a separate church.Browne's leadership
By 1580 Browne had become a leader in this movement and attempted to set up a separate
Congregational Church inNorwich ,Norfolk , England. He was arrested but released on the advice of William Cecil, his kinsman. Browne and his companions were obliged to leave England and moved toMiddelburg in theNetherlands in 1581.hakespeare
They are briefly mentioned in Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night" (a play written with performance before Queen Elizabeth in mind), when Sir Andrew tells us "I would as lief be a Brownist as a
politician ". The family seat, Tolethope Hall is now home to the Stamford Shakespeare Company.References
* Thorne, J. O. "Chamber's Biographical Dictionary" (1969)
* [http://www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/history2.htm Stamford Shakespeare site.]External links
* [http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/brownists.html English dissenters – Brownists] — this ExLibris article has details about the Brownists
ee also
*
Pilgrims
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