The Brownists were followers of Robert Browne who was born at Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland, England in about 1550. Origins There'd been early advocates of a congregational form of organization for the Church of England, in the time of Henry VIII. When, on the re-establishment of the Anglican Church, after Mary's reign, it became clear that the English government had other plans, they looked towards setting up a separate church. Browne's leadership By 1580 Browne had become a leader in this movemen… (More on Brownist)