Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1329)

Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1329)

Dominican and mystic

Achieving unity with God by forsakingaffliction by material things

Transcendence of God

1326 on Writings scrutinised for heresy

Margarete Porete of Paris (d. 1310)

1296-1306 Bishop of Cambrai condemns Mirror of Simple (Annihilated) Souls

1310 Margarete burned

Rejection of institutional church and itsrituals

Julian of Norwich (1343-c. 1419)

Age 30 Near-fatal illness and revelations

Becomes anchorite in church of St Julian inNorwich

Book of Revelations (of Divine Love)

Feels called to correct failings of church

1376 Travels to Avignon, urges pope toreturn to Rome

1377 Pope returns to Rome!

Catherine of Siena (1347-80)

God is in everything and everything revertsto God after death

Thus no Hell, Purgatory or sin

Some ascetic, but many seeing this asjustification for loose behaviour

Brethren of the Free Spirit

Start in 13th c. in Low Countries, spread throughGermany in 14th c.

Living in common, supporting selves throughwork or begging. Vows of chastity andobedience

1415 Council of Constance gives formalacceptance to Beguines and Beghards

Beguines and Beghards

Founded in Holland by Geert Groote (1340-84)

Small groups joining for prayer and charitablework

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Brethren of the Common Life

c. 1375 Wycliffe rises to prominence withattacks on:

(Wycliffe also teachingChurch wealth predestination,

importance of BibleSinful clergy over church teaching)

Sacraments (incl. Eucharist)

John Wycliffe (c. 1330-84)

1377 Wycliffe’s teachings condemned by pope

1382 English church council condemnsWycliffe’s teachings

Lollards

Henry V (r. 1413-22)

John Wycliffe (c. 1330-84)

Late 14th c. Wycliffe’s teachings passing toBohemia

1403 Archbishop’s office in Prague hasteachings examined by university. Theyare eventually condemned

1412 John Hus (1370-1415) preaches againstindulgences, is excommunicated andexpelled with supporters from Prague

Hussitism

Nov 3rd 1414 Hus arrives at Council ofConstance under safe-conduct fromSigismund, King of Germany (r. 1410-37),but is arrested, imprisoned and tried

July 6th 1415 Hus burned for heresy

Hussitism

Sept 1415 500 Czech nobles reject authorityof Council of Constance

1419 Hussite mob seize Prague, massacre towncouncil. Repeated victories againstSigismund follow

1431 Major Hussite victory. Council of Baslenegotiates with Hussites

1434 Conservative Hussites and Catholics ally

Hussitism

1434 Alliance defeat radical Hussites

1436 Sigismund recognised by most asKing of Bohemia

Hussitism

14th c. Rise in accusations of and trials forwitchcraft incl. devil-worship

Witchcraft Trials