John Oldcastle John Oldcastle Sir John Oldcastle (died 14 December 1417) was an English Lollard leader. Being a friend of Henry V, he long escaped prosecution for heresy. When convicted, he escaped from the Tower of London and then led a rebellion against the King. Eventually, he was captured and executed in London. He formed the basis for William Shakespeare's character John Falstaff, who was originally called John Oldcastle. Oldcastle's date of birth is unknown, although dubious and possibly apocryphal sources place it variously at 1360 or 1378. His father was Richard Oldcastle of Almeley in northwest Herefordshire. His grandfather, also called
Oldcastle Revolt of worship, focus on God. Also denounced in the Conclusions were war, violence, and abortion. Increasingly radicalised in the years that followed, Oldcastle wrote letters to Hussite leaders Wok of Waldstein and Wladislas of Zwierzeticz, congratulating them on their opposition to the mainstream clergy. The anti-clerical legislation promoted during the inaugural 1410 Parliament session is also considered to be penned by Oldcastle. In 1411, Oldcastle participated in the expeditionary force sent by England in support of Burgundy in its strife with Armagnac. Fighting under the command of prince Henry, the pair strengthened their friendship prior to the Welsh campaign. The