flagellingenerna

Flagellenerna, also known as the Flagellants, were a religious movement that emerged in the late 14th century in France. They were a group of laypeople who sought to purify the Church and society by engaging in self-flagellation, a practice of self-inflicted physical pain. The movement was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe and John Huss, who advocated for reform within the Church.

The Flagellants believed that their physical suffering would lead to spiritual purification and the forgiveness of sins. They often gathered in large groups and would publicly flog themselves with whips made of thorns or other rough materials. These public displays were intended to draw attention to their cause and to provoke a response from the Church.

The movement gained significant support in France, particularly in the cities of Paris and Lyon. However, it also faced opposition from the Church, which saw the Flagellants as heretics and a threat to the authority of the clergy. The movement was eventually suppressed by the Church, and many of its leaders were executed.

Despite their eventual suppression, the Flagellants left a lasting impact on religious and social reform in Europe. Their calls for reform and their emphasis on the role of the laity in the Church influenced later movements, such as the Protestant Reformation. The Flagellants' story serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious relationship between religious movements and the established Church.