Revival of the Heresy Acts

In November 1554, the Revival of the Heresy Acts (1 & 2 Ph. & M. c. 6) revived three former Acts against heresy; the letters patent of 1382 of King Richard II, an Act of 1401 of King Henry IV, and the Suppression of Heresy Act 1414 of King Henry V. All three of these laws had been repealed under King Henry VIII and King Edward VI.

This Act reflects Queen Mary I's concern for increased heresy and the lack of authority to deal with it. Edward and his father had sponsored the Reformation in stages, but Mary had always been Roman Catholic and considered Protestants to be heretics, and needed this law to pursue her religious policies.

The Act stated its purpose:

This act was repealed in 1559 by section 6 of the second Act of Supremacy.