Gerard Segarelli
Encyclopedia
Gerard or Gherardo or Gherardino Segarelli or Segalelli (around 1240 – July 18, 1300) was the founder of the Apostolic Brethren
(in Latin Apostolici). He was burned at the stake
in 1300.
.
As a youth he applied for admission to a Franciscan
monastery in Parma but was apparently refused because he exhibited the symptoms of an unsound mind. Nevertheless he remained around the monastery for some time, often visiting the convent and the church to sit or kneel before the altar of the Brotherhood of St. Francis. Influenced perhaps by a representation over the altar of the twelve Apostles, Segarelli allowed his beard and hair to grow, went around barefoot and wore only a white tunic in imitation of the primitive Christians.
After selling his possessions in 1260, he went to the market of Parma and distributed his earnings. Segarelli wandered about the streets calling the people to repentance (penitentiam agite), announcing that the kingdom of Heaven
was at hand and begging for his sustenance in the name of Christ
.
He continued this activity for three years until one "Robert"--who had been a servant of the Franciscans—joined him; before the end of that year about thirty more individuals had joined them. Segarelli started preaching in other cities and the number of his followers grew, drawn from among the poor. After some initial prevarication he agreed to be elected their leader. The group walked about the streets chanting hymns, preached to those who would listen and ate what the people gave to them, sharing it with the poor.
The movement eventually spread not only throughout Lombardy
but also Germany, France, Spain, and England. Some Apostles were traduced at a council in Würzburg
and a decree was issued which forbade them to preach and beg and the people were warned against encouraging them by giving food or water. Other Apostles were proscribed in England at a council at Chichester
in 1289; it is not certain if these sects were directly connected to that of Segarelli, there are however many analogies between them.
At a later point in 1300 followers of the Apostles were found in Spain where one Richard of Alexandria was successful in his preaching, particularly in Galicia. In 1320, Peter of Lugo — an Apostle follower of Richard — was brought before the Inquisition
in Toulouse
.
It was in Lombardy where the disciples of Segarelli had great success and started to attract enemies. The bishop of Parma was informed in 1280 that Segarelli was directing invectives against the Church so he had him apprehended immediately. After examination the authorities concluded that he was a poor, demented visionary and released him.
In 1286 however, probably pressed by the Inquisition, the Bishop banned him from the city. It appears that he broke the ban in 1294, returning clandestinely to his hometown. He was again brought before the Bishop, abjured and condemned to perpetual imprisonment while four of his followers were burnt alive. It is not clear why, but in 1300 he was interrogated again by the Grand Inquisitor of Parma: found guilty of relapsing into errors formerly abjured, he was thus burnt at the stake.
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...
(in Latin Apostolici). He was burned at the stake
Burned at the Stake
Burned at the Stake is a 1981 film directed by Bert I. Gordon. It stars Susan Swift and Albert Salmi.-Cast:*Susan Swift as Loreen Graham / Ann Putnam*Albert Salmi as Captaiin Billingham*Guy Stockwell as Dr. Grossinger*Tisha Sterling as Karen Graham...
in 1300.
Biography
He was born at Segalara near ParmaParma
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....
.
As a youth he applied for admission to a 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....
monastery in Parma but was apparently refused because he exhibited the symptoms of an unsound mind. Nevertheless he remained around the monastery for some time, often visiting the convent and the church to sit or kneel before the altar of the Brotherhood of St. Francis. Influenced perhaps by a representation over the altar of the twelve Apostles, Segarelli allowed his beard and hair to grow, went around barefoot and wore only a white tunic in imitation of the primitive Christians.
After selling his possessions in 1260, he went to the market of Parma and distributed his earnings. Segarelli wandered about the streets calling the people to repentance (penitentiam agite), announcing that the kingdom of Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
was at hand and begging for his sustenance in the name of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
.
He continued this activity for three years until one "Robert"--who had been a servant of the Franciscans—joined him; before the end of that year about thirty more individuals had joined them. Segarelli started preaching in other cities and the number of his followers grew, drawn from among the poor. After some initial prevarication he agreed to be elected their leader. The group walked about the streets chanting hymns, preached to those who would listen and ate what the people gave to them, sharing it with the poor.
The movement eventually spread not only throughout Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
but also Germany, France, Spain, and England. Some Apostles were traduced at a council in Würzburg
Würzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
and a decree was issued which forbade them to preach and beg and the people were warned against encouraging them by giving food or water. Other Apostles were proscribed in England at a council at Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
in 1289; it is not certain if these sects were directly connected to that of Segarelli, there are however many analogies between them.
At a later point in 1300 followers of the Apostles were found in Spain where one Richard of Alexandria was successful in his preaching, particularly in Galicia. In 1320, Peter of Lugo — an Apostle follower of Richard — was brought before 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...
in Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
.
It was in Lombardy where the disciples of Segarelli had great success and started to attract enemies. The bishop of Parma was informed in 1280 that Segarelli was directing invectives against the Church so he had him apprehended immediately. After examination the authorities concluded that he was a poor, demented visionary and released him.
In 1286 however, probably pressed by the Inquisition, the Bishop banned him from the city. It appears that he broke the ban in 1294, returning clandestinely to his hometown. He was again brought before the Bishop, abjured and condemned to perpetual imprisonment while four of his followers were burnt alive. It is not clear why, but in 1300 he was interrogated again by the Grand Inquisitor of Parma: found guilty of relapsing into errors formerly abjured, he was thus burnt at the stake.
Sources
- Johann Lorenz von MosheimJohann Lorenz von MosheimJohann Lorenz von Mosheim or Johann Lorenz Mosheim , German Lutheran church historian, was born at Lübeck on 9 October 1693 or 1694.- Biography :...
"Geschichte des Apostel-Ordens in dreien Büchern" in Versuch eines unparteischen und gründlichen Ketzergeschichte, Helmstaedt 1748. - Mariotti L. (Antonio Gallenga), Historical memoir of Fra Dolcino and his times, Brown, London 1853, pp.85-118.
- Berkhout, Carl T. and Jeffrey B. Russell. "Apostolici"; "Segarelli," in Medieval heresies: a bibliography, 1960-1979, Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 1981 (Subsidia mediaevalia, 11).
- Giancarlo Andenna, "Il carisma negato: Gerardo Segarelli," in Giancarlo Andenna / Mirko Breitenstein / Gert Melville (Hgg.): Charisma und religiöse Gemeinschaften im Mittelalter. Akten des 3. Internationalen Kongresses des "Italienisch-deutschen Zentrums für Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte". Münster / Hamburg / Berlin / London: LIT 2005 (Vita regularis. Ordnungen und Deutungen religiosen Lebens im Mittelalter, 26), 415-442.
See also
- Fra DolcinoFra DolcinoFra 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...