Dulcinian
Encyclopedia
The Dulcinian movement was a religious sect of the Late Middle Ages
, originating within the Apostolic Brethren
. The Dulcinians, or Dulcinites, and Apostolics were inspired by Franciscan
ideals and influenced by the Joachimites
, but were considered heretical
by the Catholic Church. Their name derives from the movement's leader, Fra Dolcino
of Novara
(ca. 1250-1307), who was burned as a heretic on the orders of Pope Clement V
.
, founder of the Apostolic Brethren, was burned at the stake in Parma
during a brutal repression of the Apostolics. His followers went into hiding to save their lives. Fra Dolcino joined the Apostolics between 1288 and 1292, and became their leader. He published the first of his letters explaining his ideas about the epochs of history based on the theories of Gioacchino da Fiore.
. He met Margaret of Trento (real name Margherita Boninsegna, his lover or sister in spirit), and wrote the second letter to the Apostolics. At the beginning of 1304, three Dulcinians were burned by the Inquisition
, leading Dolcino to evacuate the community to the left side of the Sesia
valley, near his native Novara. At the end of 1304, only 1400 survived on the top of Mount Parete Calva, in the fortified Piano dei Gazzari. They descended the mountain to pillage and kill the people in the valley, responsible in their eyes for not defending the group against the Episcopal
troops. The villagers called them "Gazzari" (Cathars), and joined the soldiers in opposition.
Dolcino justified the acts committed by the Dulcinians by affirming their perfection and holiness based on Saint Paul
's Epistle to Titus
(1,15):
, where Margaret was burned at the stake
on June 1, 1307. Dolcino watched Margaret's death and was then taken to Vercelli. He was tortured with hot instruments; his fingers, nose and ears were amputated; and his tongue and eyes removed. When they reached Vercelli, he was burned at the stake.
were:
Fra Dolcino was inspired by the millenarist theories of Gioacchino da Fiore. He viewed the history of humanity as 4 epochs:
In his first letter ,Dolcino gave his interpretation of the seven Angels and seven Churches of the Apocalypse of John:
Following the death of Boniface VIII, Dolcino produced a schedule of 4 popes:
Thus, the advent of the "new holy pope" was postponed to the second pope after the death of Boniface VIII. Dolcino never proposed himself as the new Pope in his letters, although this was one of the accusations of the Inquisition
.
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, originating within the Apostolic Brethren
Apostolic Brethren
The Apostolic Brethren were a Christian sect founded in northern Italy in the latter half of the 13th century by Gerard Segarelli, a native of Alzano in the territory of Parma. He was of low birth and without education, applied for membership in the Franciscan order at Parma, and was rejected...
. The Dulcinians, or Dulcinites, and Apostolics were inspired by Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
ideals and influenced by the Joachimites
Joachimites
Joachimites, also known as Joachites were a millenarian group that arose from the Franciscans in the thirteenth century. They based their ideas on the works of Joachim of Flora...
, but were considered heretical
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
by the Catholic Church. Their name derives from the movement's leader, Fra Dolcino
Fra Dolcino
Fra Dolcino was an Italian radical Christian preacher burnt at the stake in 1307, and often described as being a heretic inspired by the Franciscan theories. He became the leader for a group of radical reformers who after him was called Dulcinians.-Real name:The origins of Fra Dolcino and his real...
of Novara
Novara
Novara is the capital city of the province of Novara in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, to the west of Milan. With c. 105,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin. It is an important crossroads for commercial traffic along the routes from Milan to Turin...
(ca. 1250-1307), who was burned as a heretic on the orders of Pope Clement V
Pope Clement V
Pope Clement V, born Raymond Bertrand de Got was Pope from 1305 to his death...
.
Origins
The Dulcinian sect began in 1300 when Gherardo SegarelliGerard Segarelli
Gerard or Gherardo or Gherardino Segarelli or Segalelli was the founder of the Apostolic Brethren...
, founder of the Apostolic Brethren, was burned at the stake in Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
during a brutal repression of the Apostolics. His followers went into hiding to save their lives. Fra Dolcino joined the Apostolics between 1288 and 1292, and became their leader. He published the first of his letters explaining his ideas about the epochs of history based on the theories of Gioacchino da Fiore.
Reunification with the Apostolics
Fra Dolcino, at the beginning of 1303, reunited the Apostolic movement near Lake GardaLake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age...
. He met Margaret of Trento (real name Margherita Boninsegna, his lover or sister in spirit), and wrote the second letter to the Apostolics. At the beginning of 1304, three Dulcinians were burned by the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
, leading Dolcino to evacuate the community to the left side of the Sesia
Sesia River
The Sesia is a river in north-western Italy, tributary to the Po. Its sources are the glaciers of Monte Rosa at the border with Switzerland. It flows through the Alpine valley Valsesia and the towns Varallo Sesia, Quarona, Borgosesia and Vercelli...
valley, near his native Novara. At the end of 1304, only 1400 survived on the top of Mount Parete Calva, in the fortified Piano dei Gazzari. They descended the mountain to pillage and kill the people in the valley, responsible in their eyes for not defending the group against the Episcopal
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
troops. The villagers called them "Gazzari" (Cathars), and joined the soldiers in opposition.
Dolcino justified the acts committed by the Dulcinians by affirming their perfection and holiness based on Saint Paul
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
's Epistle to Titus
Epistle to Titus
The Epistle of Paul to Titus, usually referred to simply as Titus, is one of the three Pastoral Epistles , traditionally attributed to Saint Paul, and is part of the New Testament...
(1,15):
To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.
The end
Margaret and Dolcino were captured alive and brought to the town of BiellaBiella
Biella is a town and comune in the northern Italian region of Piemonte, the capital of the province of the same name, with some 45,800 inhabitants as of 2009. It is located about 80 km northeast of Turin and about 80 km west-northwest of Milan.It lies in the foothills of the Alps,...
, where Margaret was burned at the stake
Execution by burning
Death by burning is death brought about by combustion. As a form of capital punishment, burning has a long history as a method in crimes such as treason, heresy, and witchcraft....
on June 1, 1307. Dolcino watched Margaret's death and was then taken to Vercelli. He was tortured with hot instruments; his fingers, nose and ears were amputated; and his tongue and eyes removed. When they reached Vercelli, he was burned at the stake.
Theories
The main concepts of the Dulcinian heresyHeresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
were:
- The fall of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and return of the Church to its original ideals of humilityHumilityHumility is the quality of being modest, and respectful. Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and philosophical traditions, being connected with notions of transcendent unity with the universe or the divine, and of egolessness.-Term:The term "humility"...
and povertyPovertyPoverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
; - The fall of the feudal system;
- Human liberation from any restraint, and from entrenched power;
- Creation of a new egalitarian society based on mutual aid and respect, holding property in common and respecting gender equality.
Fra Dolcino was inspired by the millenarist theories of Gioacchino da Fiore. He viewed the history of humanity as 4 epochs:
- The period of the Old TestamentOld TestamentThe Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
; - The period of Jesus Christ and the Apostles, characterized by chastityChastityChastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
and poverty; - The period of Emperor Constantine I and Pope Sylvester I, characterized by the decline of the Church due to ambition and excessive wealth;
- The period of the Apostolics, led by Segalelli and Dolcino, characterized by poverty, chastity and the absence of government.
In his first letter ,Dolcino gave his interpretation of the seven Angels and seven Churches of the Apocalypse of John:
- The Angel of Ephesus was Saint BenedictBenedict of NursiaSaint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
, and his church was the monastic order; - The Angel of Pergamom was Pope Sylvester I, and his church was the clerical order;
- The Angel of Sardis was Saint FrancisFrancis of AssisiSaint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
, and his church was the Friars Minor; - The Angel of Laodicea was Saint DominicSaint DominicSaint Dominic , also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans or Order of Preachers , a Catholic religious order...
, and his church was the Friars PreacherDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
; - The Angel of Smyrna was Gerard of ParmaGerard SegarelliGerard or Gherardo or Gherardino Segarelli or Segalelli was the founder of the Apostolic Brethren...
, and his church was the Apostolic Brethren; - The Angel of Thyatira was Fra Dolcino, and his church was the Dulcinian movement;
- The Angel of Philadelphia would be the new holy pope, and the last three churches would constitute "the new church of these new days".
Following the death of Boniface VIII, Dolcino produced a schedule of 4 popes:
- Celestine V
- Boniface VIII: ruin would fall on him and the king of the southCharles II of NaplesCharles II, known as "the Lame" was King of Naples, King of Albania, Prince of Salerno, Prince of Achaea and Count of Anjou.-Biography:...
- Boniface's successor: ruin would fall on him and all the cardinalCardinal (Catholicism)A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
s - The new holy pope
Thus, the advent of the "new holy pope" was postponed to the second pope after the death of Boniface VIII. Dolcino never proposed himself as the new Pope in his letters, although this was one of the accusations of the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
.
External links
- Center for Dulcinian studies of the evangelic church (in italian) organizes a yearly Dulcinian meeting