Heresy Laws Restored
Revived heresy statutes provide the legal framework for prosecuting Protestants who refuse restored Catholic doctrine.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1555 in England
Explore 91 historical events and records for England in 1555.
Historical records for England in 1555
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 91 unique records.
91Unique records
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20Places on this page
January
Rowland Taylor Detained for Heresy Proceedings
Rowland Taylor is detained after defending Protestant worship in his Suffolk parish and refusing to accept the restored Catholic Mass.
Second Statute of Repeal Takes Effect
Parliament repeals Henrician legislation against papal authority while protecting many owners of former monastic lands.
February
Execution
Rogers becomes the first Protestant martyr burned under Mary's heresy laws
Execution of John Rogers
John Rogers is burned for heresy after refusing to abandon Protestant doctrine, becoming the first prominent Marian martyr.
First Marian Burnings
John Rogers is burned, beginning the Marian persecution of Protestants.
John Rogers Executed
John Rogers is burned as the first Protestant martyr under Mary's restored heresy laws
Execution of Laurence Saunders
Laurence Saunders is burned after condemnation for Protestant preaching and rejection of restored Catholic teaching.
Execution
Hooper is burned for refusing to recant Protestant beliefs
Execution
Taylor is burned at Hadleigh during the Marian persecutions
Execution of John Hooper
John Hooper is burned for heresy after refusing to accept the Catholic religious settlement restored under Mary I.
Execution of Rowland Taylor
Rowland Taylor is burned near Hadleigh after refusing to recant his Protestant beliefs.
Hooper Burned
John Hooper is burned after refusing to recant Protestant beliefs.
John Hooper Executed
John Hooper is burned for heresy during Mary's reign
Rowland Taylor Executed
Rowland Taylor is burned during the Marian persecutions
Taylor Burned
Rowland Taylor is burned during enforcement of restored heresy laws.
Protestant Executions Begin
Protestant burnings begin as Mary's government restores Catholic religious policy
March
Execution of Thomas Tomkins
Thomas Tomkins is burned after refusing to renounce Protestant beliefs during examination by Marian church authorities.
Execution of Thomas Causton
Thomas Causton is burned for heresy after condemnation for Protestant religious views.
Execution of Thomas Higbed
Thomas Higbed is burned after conviction for Protestant beliefs that conflict with Mary's restored Catholic settlement.
Execution of William Hunter
William Hunter is burned at Brentwood after refusing to attend Mass or accept Catholic teaching on the Eucharist.
Execution of Stephen Knight
Stephen Knight is burned at Maldon after condemnation for heresy under the restored Marian religious laws.
Execution of William Pigot
William Pigot is burned at Braintree for maintaining Protestant beliefs despite pressure to recant.
Execution of John Laurence
John Laurence is burned at Colchester after refusing to abandon Protestant convictions during the Marian persecution.
Ferrars Burned
Robert Ferrar is burned as Marian persecution reaches Wales.
April
Execution of George Marsh
George Marsh is burned outside Chester after refusing to recant beliefs defended throughout his imprisonment and examinations.
Elizabeth at Hampton Court
Brings Elizabeth to Hampton Court where she is secluded but politically important
Elizabeth to Hampton Court
Mary brings Elizabeth from Woodstock to Hampton Court during the pregnancy crisis
Moved to Hampton Court
Moved to Hampton Court while Mary considers the succession
Phantom Pregnancy
Rumours spread that Mary has given birth but her pregnancy proves false
Royal Birth Preparations Intensify
The court prepares for Mary's expected confinement, including arrangements appropriate for the anticipated birth of a royal heir.
May
Execution of John Cardmaker
John Cardmaker is burned after maintaining Protestant teaching despite efforts to persuade him to recant.
Custody Discharged
Discharged from direct custody of Princess Elizabeth after her transfer from Woodstock
June
Execution of Thomas Hawkes
Thomas Hawkes is burned at Coggeshall after refusing to accept Catholic worship and doctrine under Mary I.
July
First Pregnancy Fails
Mary's expected child does not arrive and the succession remains unsettled
Pregnancy Hope Fades
Mary's first expected pregnancy proves false and the succession remains unresolved
September
Final Examination
Faces renewed examination before execution.
Trial for Heresy
Faces formal heresy proceedings before execution.
Latimer Trial
Hugh Latimer is tried for heresy under the Catholic restoration.
Ridley Trial
Nicholas Ridley is tried for heresy under Mary’s restored Catholic order.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.