The Armour Archive

Does anyone have suggestions for books covering religious heritics in the 14th and 15th century Europe? I've run across a few minor references in non-fiction books like Eco's "Name of the Rose" and been quite intrigued.

Roderick

Rod, you think of taking on a new persona? I think you'd make a pretty good heretic, especially when you've tied one on. I bet you could really do justice to the foaming at the mouth and blaspheming part. I'd like to see that, excluding the burning at the stake of course!

(Only kidding, sorry I don't have anything useful to offer.)

Gwen

I just finished reading "The Perfect Heresy", a general history of the Albigensian Crusade and the Cathars. Not a great piece of history, but decent on a difficult topic. I have another on the same topic called The Yellow Cross which I plan to get to this fall. I'll lend you the one I finished, but it's main focus is the 13th C.

If Rod gets to be a heretic, I want to be the neighbor who reports him and gets to keep all his stuff!

So, which heresy in particular are you interested in? Some of them have been around for a long time and flare up repeatedly, others are more isolated in history.

The Cathars/Albigensians are an example of gnosticism. The Catholic Church started after them in the second half of the 12th century. Thing is, there are still folks today who cling to the idea that the Cathars might have been right. The rather lame book "Holy Blood Holy Grail" hinges on the idea that Jesus did not die on the cross, but ended up hiding out in a little village in France and that His descendants are still there... And it ties in the Cathars pretty strongly at one point.

The Lollards were another heresy, this time in the 14th century. The last known Lollard was executed in 1401, gent by the name of Oldcastle (I kid you not). Earlier, there were the Hussites, greatly admired by John Wycliffe, who began the Lollards. Do a search on Google for more information.

-Patrick

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Gwen, you are a inspiration! I've found my lifes calling, finally a focus to years of practice and refinement. Just like being called to the priesthood......

Johannes, thanks I'll take you up on those books when you're done.

Patrick, Thanks for the leads.

Peder, Non-Fiction, Fiction, you'd think after working in libraries (years ago) for three years I'd get it right, but no, everytime is the wrong use! The similarities between accepted doctrine and heresy is a very interesting aspect. I want to read up on the "Lysine Creed" (sp?) as well. Politics had to have a strong hand in the process of determining what was right and wrong.

Thanks all, Rod

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