Medieval Heresy

Medieval Heresy How can we describe the heretical movements in western Europe during the Middle Ages? How can we accurately describe the Church’s methods of responding to heresy?

Medieval Heresy Heresy in Medieval Western Europe Regarded as serious sin, “spiritual infection” Viewed as treason against the state Responses: persuasion, repression

Medieval Heresy Cathars (Albigensians) World and matter: evil, created by evil god Old Testament vs. New Christ not truly human, but heavenly guide Salvation Liberation of spirit Through acknowledging human condition, contempt of matter

Medieval Heresy Cathars Consisted of “perfect,” “believers” Severe asceticism for perfect Major rite: consolamentum After period of probation, fasting Begins journey “home,” apostolic life Bishops, deacons Consolamentum

Medieval Heresy Peter Waldo (d. ca. 1218) Wealthy merchant of Lyon Inspired by Gospel to life of poverty, preaching (1173) Attracted disciples Church would not sanction their preaching

Medieval Heresy The Waldensians (“Poor of Lyon”) Refused to submit  excommunicated, expelled from Lyon Detested Roman Church, its corruption Maintained lives of strict poverty, preached Survived Middle Ages

Medieval Heresy Chiesa Valdese, Piazza Cavour, Rome

Medieval Heresy Pope Francis seeking forgiveness from Waldensians of Turin (June 2015)

Medieval Heresy Questions?

Medieval Heresy Medieval Inquisition Established 1231 Founding objectives Detect, combat heresy Convert the heretic Inquisitors Usually friars trained as priests Traveled in pairs with aides, notaries

Medieval Heresy Inquisitio Upon inquisitors’ arrival, summons delivered to those suspect The inquest Summary of charges presented, suspect given time to respond Witnessed summoned (identities not revealed) Suspect questioned regarding heretical beliefs, contact with heretics Goal: abjuration of heresy Torture used after 1252, with restrictions

Medieval Heresy Punishments Regular penances Wearing yellow cross Imprisonment Burning

Medieval Heresy Witchcraft Considered mixture of heresy, sorcery Focus of inquisitors during Late Middle Ages Hammer of Witches (1486) Inquisitors’ manual on witchcraft, demonology Misogynistic! Joan of Arc executed as a heretic-witch (1431) Hermann Stilke, Joan of Arc’s Death at the Stake (1843)

Medieval Heresy

Medieval Heresy The Spanish Inquisition Instituted 1478 by Ferdinand and Isabella Efficient and brutal! Supervised first by Tomás Torquemada (1420-1498) Principal target: “crypto-Jews” among conversos Abolished 1834

Medieval Heresy

Medieval Heresy The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) Cathars lived securely in Languedoc Unsuccessful preaching, murder of legate  Innocent III called for crusade Northern army led campaign against Cathars, their protectors Cathars eliminated

Medieval Heresy Questions?

Medieval Heresy How can we describe the heretical movements in western Europe during the Middle Ages? How can we accurately describe the Church’s methods of responding to heresy?

Primary Source “The Laws concerning Mashiach” Who was the author? What kind of source? According to the document, who was Mashiach? What could be expected during the messianic era? What did the author have to say about Christianity? Why do the quotations in the footnotes matter historically?

Primary Source Fulcher of Chartres Source What kind of source? Who was the speaker? What were the problems in the East, and in the West? What did the speaker urge those present to do about it? How were the Muslims described?

Primary Source “The Crusaders in Mainz” What kind of source? Who was the author? What happened? How did the author view Christians and their religion? How did the author view his coreligionists and their response to the Christians?

Primary Source “Inquisitorial Technique” What kind of source? Who was the author? What do we learn about the inquisitorial process? What can we discern about exchanges between inquisitors and suspected heretics?