Heresy - GCSE History Definition

In GCSE History, heresy means having religious beliefs that go against the official teachings of the Church. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Catholic Church was very powerful, and heresy was seen as a serious crime as their ideas were seen as a threat to the religious and social order. People accused of heresy could be punished severely, including being burned at the stake. For example, under Henry VIII, people who refused to accept him as head of the Church of England could also be punished for heresy. The case of Thomas More, who was executed for opposing Henry’s religious changes, is a well-known example. Understanding heresy helps GCSE students see how religion, power, and control were closely linked. It also shows how different beliefs often led to persecution, reform, and even conflict in history.