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The Great Medieval Heretics: Five Centuries of Religious Dissent
Replete with terror, passion, and hope, this gripping narrative history explores the intricate mysteries of medieval Europe through the lives of the great heretics whose beliefs and practices challenged the teachings of an all-powerful church. Five centuries of social and spiritual turmoil are covered through a vivid and telling mix of events, personalities, and ideas.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 12, 2010
More than perhaps any other time, the average person of the European middle ages found their identity bound up in religious and moral norms. In this book, Michael Frassetto discusses what can happen when some thinkers pushed the boundaries of traditional religious understanding, and were eventually branded as "heretics." What is particularly special about this text is that the author does not present the heresies compartmentalized from their social context; rather, he integrates apropos aspects of the cultural and political milieu so that the reader fully understands how they came about, the purposes they serve, and, inevitably, the nature of their demise.
The modern mind ties the word "heretic" to a sort of radical libertinism that flirts with godlessness and amorality. As Frassetto explores the varies heresies of the Church, we found out that most of these vanguards attacked the Catholic Church (I say "Catholic Church" here since all of the heresies explored herein are very much pre-Reformation, though one could argue that they had influences on Luther and Calvin) from "the other side." They claimed the Church was too materialistic, too worldly, that it had lost touch with God and His ways. In a word, many of these heresies were conservative in nature, in the sense that they wished to conserve an older worldview of godly purity, apostolic holiness, and in many cases, vows of extreme poverty. The only change these thinkers wanted to impose was to erase the all-too-worldly influences that the Church had grown complacent in and with.
So, who are the fascinating people that Frassetto talks about? Each chapter tells the story of one or two heretics, or discusses a movement they were tied with. Discussed herein are Bogomil, Stephen and Lisois (leaders of a sect at Orleans), Henry the Monk, Peter Waldo (associated with the Waldensians), Raymond VI of Toulouse and his connection with the Cathars, Pierre Autier, Fra Dolcino, Marguerite Porete, John Wycliffe, and Jan Hus.
Henry the Monk of Lausanne (fl. 1110 - 1148), hardly a heretic by today's standards, preached a return to apostolic poverty, saintliness, and orthodoxy, and spoke out against the Church's worldliness. And while the life of Peter Waldo (c. 1140 - 1218) very much resembled the lives of other now-canonized saints, his emphasis on self-imposed poverty and the importance of lay preaching rendered him a danger in the opinion of the Third Lateran Council. The stories of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, whose names are probably most recognizable to those interested in the topic, portend the later religious wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Because each chapter tells the self-contained story of a movement over a relatively short period of time, this book makes for an interesting and handy reference book, as well as fascinating reading for those wishing to gain a rudimentary understanding of heterodox religious thought on the periphery of the Church during the first half of the second millennium. This comes especially recommended for those interested in the historical development of the Catholic Church and anyone interested in medieval history. Nota Bene: As should be deduced from the size of this book (it is a rather slim volume), this is not a scholarly text. It is one that introduces material on the beginner to intermediate level, though a list of more specific monographs are listed in the back in an extensive bibliography.
The modern mind ties the word "heretic" to a sort of radical libertinism that flirts with godlessness and amorality. As Frassetto explores the varies heresies of the Church, we found out that most of these vanguards attacked the Catholic Church (I say "Catholic Church" here since all of the heresies explored herein are very much pre-Reformation, though one could argue that they had influences on Luther and Calvin) from "the other side." They claimed the Church was too materialistic, too worldly, that it had lost touch with God and His ways. In a word, many of these heresies were conservative in nature, in the sense that they wished to conserve an older worldview of godly purity, apostolic holiness, and in many cases, vows of extreme poverty. The only change these thinkers wanted to impose was to erase the all-too-worldly influences that the Church had grown complacent in and with.
So, who are the fascinating people that Frassetto talks about? Each chapter tells the story of one or two heretics, or discusses a movement they were tied with. Discussed herein are Bogomil, Stephen and Lisois (leaders of a sect at Orleans), Henry the Monk, Peter Waldo (associated with the Waldensians), Raymond VI of Toulouse and his connection with the Cathars, Pierre Autier, Fra Dolcino, Marguerite Porete, John Wycliffe, and Jan Hus.
Henry the Monk of Lausanne (fl. 1110 - 1148), hardly a heretic by today's standards, preached a return to apostolic poverty, saintliness, and orthodoxy, and spoke out against the Church's worldliness. And while the life of Peter Waldo (c. 1140 - 1218) very much resembled the lives of other now-canonized saints, his emphasis on self-imposed poverty and the importance of lay preaching rendered him a danger in the opinion of the Third Lateran Council. The stories of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, whose names are probably most recognizable to those interested in the topic, portend the later religious wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Because each chapter tells the self-contained story of a movement over a relatively short period of time, this book makes for an interesting and handy reference book, as well as fascinating reading for those wishing to gain a rudimentary understanding of heterodox religious thought on the periphery of the Church during the first half of the second millennium. This comes especially recommended for those interested in the historical development of the Catholic Church and anyone interested in medieval history. Nota Bene: As should be deduced from the size of this book (it is a rather slim volume), this is not a scholarly text. It is one that introduces material on the beginner to intermediate level, though a list of more specific monographs are listed in the back in an extensive bibliography.
October 23, 2018
A more than decent and well-researched book on the subject, though perhaps not groundbreaking in any way. The primary sources used seem to lack relation to the subject matters in some places, as if the author used only what he had access to, and not the meatiest bits in existence.
I expected more interest toward the influence of Classical thought on the book's subjects, namely Wyclif and Hus. These aspects were barely glossed over, whereas other publications might provide more lip service.
Despite these few shortcomings, a very enjoyable read, especially to those wishing to bridge the gap between the medieval church and the Renaissance, between heresy and Reformation.
I expected more interest toward the influence of Classical thought on the book's subjects, namely Wyclif and Hus. These aspects were barely glossed over, whereas other publications might provide more lip service.
Despite these few shortcomings, a very enjoyable read, especially to those wishing to bridge the gap between the medieval church and the Renaissance, between heresy and Reformation.
January 26, 2010
A good survey of 10 prominent western heretics/heresies (9 if you count the two flowerings of Catharism) from Bogomil (10th century) to Hus (early 15th century). Focus is more on the dissatisfaction with the medieval church structure / corruption / worldliness than on the true theological differences, but in this sense has a clear progression towards Martin Luther. The two chapters on Catharism probably the weakest, but there are plenty of other books about them anyway.
February 16, 2019
Well organized, full of pertinent information, and cogently argued. A few technical terms which were not defined (e.g. fundamentalist) and a somewhat boring writing style knocked down my rating.
Overall, a very useful book.
Overall, a very useful book.
January 30, 2018
I liked this book much more than I thought I would. I found it very easy to read and engaging.
*** The following paragraphs are my thoughts and opinions based off of the material in the book.
It can be said that there were two strands of 'heresy' during the mid to high middle ages. The first strand consisted of those who repudiated orthodox doctrines, including the dualist Bogomils, docetic Cathars, mystic Beguines, and militant millenarians (like Segarelli and Fra Dolcino). The second strand were of those who did not deny orthodox doctrines per se but in some way supplanted the authority of the Roman Church by their teachings. Valdes of Lyon, John Wycliffe, and Jan Hus are within this strand. Attacks upon 'heretics' were often politically motivated, brutal, and sometimes unjustified even within the context of the time. The hypocrisy of a church that would condemn Valdes of Lyon but acquiesce to Francis of Assisi, burn Jan Hus on the pyre for preaching reform during the atrocity of the Avignon papacy, and use the Albigensian Crusade to political ends are examples of the political calculation behind many of the actions of the Roman Church during the middle ages. In my opinion, those of the first strand of heresy were perhaps rightly condemned while those of the second not necessarily so. Indeed many reform minded individuals were operating within the Roman Church, such as the monks of Cluny (Peter the Venerable) and of Clairvaux (St. Bernard).
In many ways, the drive to reform the church was already present in the middle ages and the beliefs and actions of medieval 'heretics' prefigured events of the 16th century. Many sought to recover the 'apostolic life' of poverty and chastity and condemned the 'worldliness' of the Roman Catholic clergy in the practice of simony and indulgences. The nature of the eucharist was also called into question as transubstantiation was oft used to validate the Roman Catholic priesthood. A clear distinction began to form between those who would turn to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority and seek to establish themselves within the Christian tradition of earlier centuries and those who would seek to establish their own authority apart from Scripture and orthodox Christian tradition.
*** The following paragraphs are my thoughts and opinions based off of the material in the book.
It can be said that there were two strands of 'heresy' during the mid to high middle ages. The first strand consisted of those who repudiated orthodox doctrines, including the dualist Bogomils, docetic Cathars, mystic Beguines, and militant millenarians (like Segarelli and Fra Dolcino). The second strand were of those who did not deny orthodox doctrines per se but in some way supplanted the authority of the Roman Church by their teachings. Valdes of Lyon, John Wycliffe, and Jan Hus are within this strand. Attacks upon 'heretics' were often politically motivated, brutal, and sometimes unjustified even within the context of the time. The hypocrisy of a church that would condemn Valdes of Lyon but acquiesce to Francis of Assisi, burn Jan Hus on the pyre for preaching reform during the atrocity of the Avignon papacy, and use the Albigensian Crusade to political ends are examples of the political calculation behind many of the actions of the Roman Church during the middle ages. In my opinion, those of the first strand of heresy were perhaps rightly condemned while those of the second not necessarily so. Indeed many reform minded individuals were operating within the Roman Church, such as the monks of Cluny (Peter the Venerable) and of Clairvaux (St. Bernard).
In many ways, the drive to reform the church was already present in the middle ages and the beliefs and actions of medieval 'heretics' prefigured events of the 16th century. Many sought to recover the 'apostolic life' of poverty and chastity and condemned the 'worldliness' of the Roman Catholic clergy in the practice of simony and indulgences. The nature of the eucharist was also called into question as transubstantiation was oft used to validate the Roman Catholic priesthood. A clear distinction began to form between those who would turn to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority and seek to establish themselves within the Christian tradition of earlier centuries and those who would seek to establish their own authority apart from Scripture and orthodox Christian tradition.
October 21, 2010
I don't know that I would call this a "gripping" read but it was certainly an eye-opening experience to the "heresies" of medieval Christianity. The author doesn't explore every aspect of every recorded heresay from the medieval period but chose to select what he identifies as the ten most prominent from the period. Those selected are a combination of "true" heresies and those of the more questionable sort--those that posed a direct challenge to the leadership of the Church and its clergy.
August 29, 2011
c2007. Way too dry and stodgy for me. The 10 major heritical beliefs are covered but the writing is just a statement of fact which does little to entice the reader. Very few illustrations and lots of names and dates. I felt this book was rather like my attempts at baking - very little to recommend it.
June 6, 2009
Informative but very dry at tiems.
January 26, 2024
This is a very niche read, but fortunately this is one of the niches that I am very, extremely interested in, so this was a solid 4-star read for me. This book shows a good breakdown of some of the major heretical movements, set up in general chronological order, and provides both historico-political and philosophical/theological breakdown of the heresies and how they arose. It is written clearly, with good flow and proper contextualization.
I understand that this is not a subject matter that is particularly interesting to all publics, but for those who are curious, this is an excellent overview. I would have liked a bit more in-depth comparison/contrasting between the heresies - that is to say, a bit more meat on the philosophical bone - but that's because it is what I am particularly interested in.
I understand that this is not a subject matter that is particularly interesting to all publics, but for those who are curious, this is an excellent overview. I would have liked a bit more in-depth comparison/contrasting between the heresies - that is to say, a bit more meat on the philosophical bone - but that's because it is what I am particularly interested in.
February 5, 2021
Not a bad read by any means. The author argues his points well, most of the time, and the information he presents is useful. His writing style is not the best by any means; sometimes it's very hard to follow his line of thinking. As a Protestant, I naturally take a more favorable look toward the Waldensians, Wyclif, and Hus than many Roman Catholic readers would; thus, I wouldn't call them heretics, though they were by Roman standards of the time. It's useful as a reference volume or for a cursory knowledge of medieval heretical movements. I'd recommend it for those with an interest in medieval Christianity or Catholicism though it's not a thrilling read naturally.
July 17, 2018
This book dives into the stories of 8 different heretical movements in Latin Christendom between 1000 and 1500, and also includes a section on the Bogomils from Bulgaria. The author includes details and primary sources while also keeping the writing interesting and fast-paced. I think that overall the examination is superficial - which I do not mean in a pejorative sense. I just mean that the the focus is on biographies, locations, and major turning points, rather than a deep examination into the social role and dynamics of heresy.
July 16, 2023
I learned a lot about medieval history and the history of Catholicism from this book, in addition to the interesting stories of various non-conformist movements. It's good to bring to this book some prior knowledge of important Christian doctrines and events.
I used to assume that all dissenters before Martin Luther were executed, but that's not the case. There were ways to get around the authorities: One could strike a deal, or just slip out of town and continue preaching your heresy in a more remote location.
I used to assume that all dissenters before Martin Luther were executed, but that's not the case. There were ways to get around the authorities: One could strike a deal, or just slip out of town and continue preaching your heresy in a more remote location.
August 20, 2022
A really solid, informative introduction to the heretical movements that swept Europe in the Middle Ages that shows how they relate to the revulsion against the corruption and opulence of the Catholic Church that helped fuel the Reformation. I read this just after rereading The Name of the Rose, which really helped put that aspect of Umberto Eco's novel into larger historical context.
June 1, 2017
More a prehistory of the Protestant Reformation than a delving into midieval witch cults and Celtic druids, it provides a good overview from the late middle ages to the beginnings of the Venisian Renaissance. At a time when there were multiple claimants to the papacy and some carried along wives, children, and mistresses, new movements were bound to occur. Even prior to Luther, the roots of Calvinism, Methodism, and even Unitarianism were detectable in Switzerland, Prague, and Hungary.
A tough and plodding read but with much to be gained. This one goes back on my shelf to read again in a few years.
A tough and plodding read but with much to be gained. This one goes back on my shelf to read again in a few years.
May 1, 2020
This book is useful for those who are seeking insight into the relevance of religion in the developments of humankind. This book unintentionally reinforces the biblical premise that man is religious in everything they do; hence, a shared worldview will guide the cultural, political, and religious developments of a given society.
The author committed certain theological imprecisions, and left some terms undefined, and also his style of writing can be annoying sometimes. But an otherwise useful book with a good index for future reference.
The author committed certain theological imprecisions, and left some terms undefined, and also his style of writing can be annoying sometimes. But an otherwise useful book with a good index for future reference.
February 15, 2011
Accessible religious history. Frassetto does a good job of putting heretical movements and their leaders into the cultural, political, and social milieu where they originated. Very interesting how the people whose ideas win out get to define what is heresy, as well as the sad consequences for the losers.
May 17, 2009
There is too little on the subject of heresies in the middle ages. This does a nice job tracing the threads going through several.
November 8, 2009
The medieval Roman Church? Not much for free-thinkers, were they?
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February 1, 2012Finally finished!
August 20, 2011
Is this book on the Index?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews