Poverty, Heresy, and the Apocalypse : The Order of Apostles and Social Change in Medieval Italy 1260-1307.

Cover -- Halftitle -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Maps -- Prologue -- Introduction -- 1 Tell Fra Dolcino to Prepare Himself -- A brief history -- Original bias -- Ignoble origins -- Violent intentions -- Conclusion -- 2 Changing Society and Economy: 1000-1250 -- Urban revival -- Conclusion -- 3 Vying for Power: The Changing Political Landscape -- Ottonian influence in ecclesiastical affairs -- Henry III and the beginning of papal reform -- Early struggles between papacy and empire -- Frederick Barbarossa, the papacy, and the Italian communes -- Frederick II: heretical emperor -- Conclusion -- 4 Church Reform and its Aftermath -- Early examples of reform -- Leonine reforms -- The laity and reform -- Papal government -- Conclusion -- 5 Gerard Segarelli's Vita Apostolica -- Church reform and the vita apostolica -- The rise of poverty heresies: Waldensians and Cathars -- Segarelli's apostolic lifestyle -- Popularity and spread of the apostles -- Segarelli's orthodoxy -- Female membership among the apostles -- Conclusion -- 6 Rivalry and Slander -- Fools and fornicators -- Rivalry and legitimacy -- Conclusion -- 7 Descent into Heresy -- Leadership and conflict -- Vita apostolica redux -- The power of poverty -- A receptive audience -- Conclusion -- 8 Apocalyptic Catastrophe -- Dolcino and violence -- Apocalyptic spirituality -- Dolcino's apocalyptic history -- Conclusion -- 9 In the Valley of Heresy -- Geography of Valsesia -- Valsesian politics and autonomy -- Heretics and resistance -- Heretical atrocities -- Resistance and annihilation -- Conclusion -- Conclusion -- Epilogue: Stones of Remembrance -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.

This is the first study to examine the rise and fall of a medieval religious group, the Order of Apostles, that began with orthodox support but ended in the fires of heresy. Originating in 1260 in Parma the group was founded by Gerard Segarelli who believed that a life of apostolic poverty was the true path of Christian devotion. Segarelli was initially supported by the Church but as his cohort grew in number and fame he was charged with heresy by the powerful Franciscans, was tried, and burnt as a heretic. The Order's control was assumed by Fra Dolcino who led the Apostles into direct opposition to the Roman Church and was himself executed in 1307. This is an important study presenting new findings in the history of medieval heresy, as well as placing the Order of Apostles within the larger context of political, economic and social history. By examining the rise and fall of the Apostles Pierce shows the dramatic consequences of the transformation of European society during the high Middle Ages.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.