Heresy

Heresy is the expression or following of a dogma, doctrine or religious belief that is different to the one mandated by the powers that be -- often the Catholic Church although the various Protestant powers of the reformation in turned branded many Catholic doctrines as heresy.

So, being a heretic really depended on what side of the argument that you are on.

Some of the common doctrines branded as heresy during the [Middle Ages]] and Renaissance include:

• Arianism
• Catharism
• Lollardy, or the following of the teachings of John Wyclif. This was closely related to the teachings of the Hussites after Jan Hus.
• According to Mary I of England, Elizabeth I was a Heretic. According to Elizabeth I, Mary I was a Heretic

References

• Heresy at Wikipedia