The Great Medieval Heretics: Five Centuries of Religious Dissent
In a period of history when the Catholic Church ruled supreme, religious dissenters challenged the boundaries not only of belief but also of culture and society. In this meticulous series of case studies, Michael Frassetto covers ten heretical movements of the Middle Ages – from Pop Bogomil in 10th-century Bulgaria, to the Cathars of early 13th-century France, to John Wyclif and 14th-century English reform. Frassetto pays close attention to primary resources, analyzing each source not just for the facts it contains but for the biases it conveys. He acknowledges that the study of heresy must often be done through the lens of the condemners, but digs deeper to reach beyond this one-sided perspective. An extensive index, bibliography, and chronology help the reader to fit the pieces together. While those new to the subject might appreciate a little more context to frame the medieval period – more background on the rise of Christianity in late antiquity, more follow-up on how medieval heresy influenced the Reformation and other later movements – this focused account offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and beliefs of dissidents who changed the face of medieval society.
