An investigation of two manuals of inquisition reveals much about the practice in action. The Inquisition played a central role in European history. It moulded societies by enforcing religious and intellectual unity; it helped develop the judicial and police techniques which are the basis of those used today; and it helped lay the foundations for the persecution of witches. An understanding of the Inquisition is therefore essential to the late medieval and early modern periods. This book looks at how the philosophy and practice of Inquisition developed in the fourteenth century. It saw the proliferation of heresies defined by the Church (notably the Spiritual Franciscans and Beguines) and the classifcation of many more magical practices as heresy.The consequentialwidening of the Inquisition's role in turn led to it being seen as an essential part of the Church and the guardian of all the Church's doctrinal boundaries; the inclusion of magic in particular also changed the Inquisition's attitude towards suspects, and the use of torture became systematised and regularised. These changes are charted here through close attention to the inquisitorial manuals of Bernard Gui and Nicholas Eymerich, using other sourceswhere available. Gui's and Eymerich's personalities were important factors. Gui was a successful insider, Eymerich a maverick, but Eymerich's work had the greater long-term influence. Through them we can see the Inquisition in action. DEREK HILL gained his PhD from the University of London.
Reviews
[An] important contribution to our understanding of medieval inquisition practice and thought. -- JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY
Despite the fame both Gui's Practica and Eymerich's Directorium have long enjoyed, neither has been the focus of as much careful and thoroughgoing inquiry as they merit. Hill's rich study helps correct that error, and [ . . . ] contributes significantly to our understanding of some major fourteenth-century developments, inquisitorial and otherwise. * JOURNAL OF CHURCH AND STATE *



Book Information
ISBN 9781903153871
Author Derek Hill
Format Hardback
Page Count 262
Imprint York Medieval Press
Publisher York Medieval Press
Weight(grams) 1g