April 27, 2008

 

   Continuing our views of the period from 1000 to 1300 AD

 

I. The Crusades—source, movement and impact

1.  Significant to the rise of the Crusades was the conversion of the

Normans [Northmen] to Cath. in 911.  Originally the term was used of

Vikings who pillaged France, it was applied to Scandinavians who

settled in NW France, adopting French as their language.  They conquered

areas of s.Italy, Sicily and in 1066, England and joined with the pope

in his efforts to free the Holy Land from Moslem control.

2.   With the serious practice of various superstitions, pilgrimages to the

Holy Land were popular (seeing famous locations, visiting “holy” sites)

with Catholic Europeans.  The conversion of Hungary (about 997) provided

a safer route from pilgrims going to the Holy Land.

3.  Conflicts between European nations were exhausting and played into

papal power, making the prospect of fighting ‘real enemies’ (Moslems) more

attractive to kings.

4.  There were 7 formal crusades (with some minor) from 1095 to 1270.

Some see Peter the Hermit’s claim to a vision of Christ to liberate the Holy

Land from unbelievers as the initial act.  He influenced Pope Urban 2^nd to

call for 1st crusade.  The 4^th Crusade brought about the sacking of Constantinople with its many relics and fraudulent religious items.  The crusades were a failure with respect to recovering the Holy Land—further, it exhibited barbarianism by “Christians”, enormous loss of human life as well as slavery of many.

5.  Some good results of the Crusades:

  a. led to a rise of nationalism by European nations that weakened papal power

  b. initiated trade between Europe and Far East

  c. brought Arabic learning, science & literature to Western Europe

 

II. Rise of (evangelical) dissenters & heretics in wake of Papal power

1.  Albigenses and Cathari- located in s.France, they claimed the NT as their

authority; but adopted Gnostic ideas—evil of the physical; rejection of Mass.

They became the object of persecution (crusade) under Pope Innocent 3^rd

led by Simon de Montfort with hundreds of thousands killed.

 

2. Waldenses- named from leader, Peter Waldo [Valdez], who in reading the NT gave up all his wealth and initiated others to preach.  Unlicensed by Rome, they were excommunicated.  The emphasis was on individual priesthood, authority of the NT and laity.   Again, they were hunted, persecuted and killed as ‘heretics’ who failed to follow the power of Rome.

 

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3. Others-  Peter of Bruys who taught: infant baptism to be invalid, altars

and crosses as well as prayers for the dead are useless; transubstantiation

was false. He died a martyr.   Arnold of Brescia- taught: clergy should abandon all property, infant baptism as invalid.  Excommunicated by Pope Hadrian 4^th, he was hanged in 1155.   Humiliati- from a group of Italian woolmakers—they rejected oaths, likely influenced by followers of Arnold

• Synod of Toulouse in 1229 forbade laymen the use of the Holy Scriptures.

 

III. The Revival of Monasticism-

1. In reaction against the materialism of pope/priest and the violence of kings,

there arose groups seeking to find peace and reflection in this world.

2. Monastic orders:

  Cluny- French, established in 910, they spread around Europe as disciplined,

ascetic idealists—famous leaders was Peter the Venerable- most attention was

to agricultural, rather than preaching, needs

  St. Bernard (1090-1153) of Clairvaux, France left a legacy of piety, holiness,

 love and service—skilled preacher.

  Augustinians- connected with Benedictines—had community of goods

  Carthusians- hermits, ascetic

  Carmelites- order of the Blessed Mary the Virgin

  Dominicans- founded by Dominic (Spanish)—preaching was its emphasis—

   called Order of Preachers—famous Dominicans—T.Aquinas, Eckhart,

   Savonarola- called Black Friars in England

  Franciscans- by Francis of Assisi- claimed to ‘imitate’ Christ—alleged to

  Have wounds of Christ- called Grey Friars in England-