E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Brownists.
Followers of Robert Brown, of Rutlandshire, a violent opponent of the Established Church in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The present “Independents” hold pretty well the same religious tenets as the Brownists. Sir Andrew Aguecheek says:
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“I’d as lief be a Brownist as a politician.”—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, iii. 2.
