Christian Inquisitions - Papal, Spanish, Medieval The term Inquisition is somewhat misleading in that over the centuries there have been a number of inquisitions. They have been directed against all of the groups we have looked at — Pagans and supposed Witches, dissenting sects, Cathars, Jews, Heretics, Philosophers, Freethinkers, Blasphemers, Apostates, Humanists, Pantheists, Unitarians, Deists and Atheists as well as Muslims, Hindus and members of other religions. In 1184 Pope Lucius III and the Emperor Frederick formulated a programme for the repression of heretics. This document, Ad abolendum, is sometimes known as the charter of the Inquisition, because it set the tone for future developments. The Medieval Inquisition A roving papal Inquisition was set up in 1231 by Pope Gregory IX. In theory torture could be applied only once, and could not be such as to draw blood, to cause permanent mutilation or to kill. Tortures varied from time to time and place to place, but the following represent the more popular options.
7 Quite Unholy Pope Scandals From mistresses and illegitimate children to dance parties and harbored criminals, the Vatican has a shockingly dirty history. While it's true that no one is perfect, the seven corrupt popes below were exceptionally unholy: 7. Besides being indifferent to the Protestant Reformation (a reform movement in Europe when several denominations broke away from the Catholic church), Pope Clement VII became best known for flip-flopping between alliances with France, Spain and Germany, although he began to lean toward French political forces before his death in 1534 after eating a poisonous mushroom. Clement was inclined to changing his political views to match those of whomever was the most powerful and wealthy at any given time. 6. Pope Leo X not only allowed, but encouraged worshippers to pay for their sins – literally. 5. Although he was a fan of the arts and collected ancient sculptures, he was apparently not a believer in the adage – good art takes time. 4. 3. 2. 1.
The First Woman to Publish a Book in English Lived in One Room, Walled Off From Society A statue of Julian of Norwich (Image: rocketjohn/Wikimedia) In 1413, Margery Kempe was embarking on a dangerous quest. She and her husband had agreed to be celibate: she was going to begin to live her life as a woman devoted to God, a mystic. She was about to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And she knew whose spiritual guidance she wanted: Julian of Norwich, the most famous anchorite of her day. In England, from about the 12th to the 16th century, an estimated 780 people chose to live permanently shut up in a room attached to a church. But, in their way, they were powerful women. Before anchorites retired from the outside world to dedicate their lives to religious devotion, a priest would say a rite of enclosure, akin to a funeral rite. One of these windows would have had a practical purpose: an attendant would pass simple meals and other necessities through it. A hagioscope in a French church (Photo: Jean-Marc Pascolo/Wikimedia) St.