Richard Hunne

Richard Hunne was a merchant tailor in London during the early years of the reign of Henry VIII (King 1509- 1547). After a dispute with his priest, Hunne sought to use the English common law courts to challenge the church's authority. In response church officials arrested him for trial in an ecclesiastical court on the capital charge of heresy. However, in December 1514 while awaiting trial, he was found dead in his cell, and murder by church officials was suspected. Hunne's death caused widespread anger against the clergy and months of political and religious crisis followed