Marprelate Controversy

Marprelate Controversy, religious controversy of the late 16th century that developed in England. It rose from an attack on the authoritarianism of the Church of England, in the form of satirical pamphlets issued in 1588 and 1589 by a Puritan writer, or group of writers, under the pen name Martin Marprelate. Much literature was published both defending and attacking Martin Marprelate. The Puritan author John Penry (1559-93) is believed to have been the major contributor to the Marprelate tracts; the writers John Lyly and Thomas Nashe were among those who responded in defense of the church.