The Hammer of the Inquisitors: Brother Bernard Délicieux and the Struggle Against the Inquisition in Fourteenth-Century France: Brother Bernard ... and Traditions: Medieval and Early Modern)

The early fourteenth century saw the resistance of the Franciscans to the conduct of the ecclesiastical Inquisition in the wake of the Cathar heresy, the crisis and destruction of the Spiritual Franciscan movement and the struggle to maintain the unity of France under Philip the Fair. The movement to suppress the Inquisition - unique in the Middle Ages - was conceived of and directed by Bernard Delicieux, one of the last leaders of the Spiritual Franciscans, whose rise to fame and involvement in these controversies forms the focus of this first monographic treatment in 70 years. This Work Recounts The Life And Turbulent Career Of The Fourteenth-century Occitan Franciscan, Fr. Bernard Delicieux. He Was, In Turn, A Supporter Of And Then A Traitor To The King Of France, A Last Great Leader Of The Spiritual Franciscan Movement, And Above All An Open Opponent Of The Inquisition. The Book Examines, Through This Biography, The Crisis Of Dissent And Heresy In Southern France And The Rise Of A Unique Popular Movement To Suppress The Regime Of The Ecclesiastical Inquisition. It Concludes With The Destruction Of The Spiritual Franciscans And The Death Of Its Subject At The Inquisitors' Hands. This Book Will Interest Those Concerned With Political Or Religious History.--jacket. Ch. 1. Forerunners Of Bernard Delicieux -- Ch. 2. The Case Of Castel Fabre -- Ch. 3. The Appeal Of Senlis -- Ch. 4. The Storming Of The Wall Of Carcassonne -- Ch. 5. The Journey Of Philip The Fair To Carcassonne -- Ch. 6. The Conspiracy Of Ferrand Of Majorca -- Ch. 7. The Victory Of The Inquisition -- Ch. 8. Comrade Of The Spiritual Franciscans -- Ch. 9. Prisoner Of The Wall. By Alan Friedlander. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [305]-319) And Index. "This work recounts the life and turbulent career of the fourteenth-century Occitan Franciscan, Fr. Bernard Delicieux. He was, in turn, a supporter of and then a traitor to the king of France, a last great leader of the Spiritual Franciscan movement, and above all an open opponent of the Inquisition."--BOOK JACKET. "The book examines, through this biography, the crisis of dissent and heresy in southern France and the rise of a unique popular movement to suppress the regime of the ecclesiastical Inquisition. It concludes with the destruction of the Spiritual Franciscans and the death of its subject at the Inquisitors' hands."--BOOK JACKET. "This book will interest those concerned with political or religious history."--BOOK JACKET. Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Foreword 10 Abbreviations 16 Maps 18 Introduction 22 Chapter One: Forerunners of Bernard Délicieux 30 Chapter Two: The Case of Castel Fabre 60 Chapter Three: The Appeal of Senlis 87 Chapter Four: The Storming of the Wall of Carcassonne 125 Chapter Five: The Journey of Philip the Fair to Carcassonne 172 Chapter Six: The Conspiracy of Ferrand of Majorca 199 Chapter Seven: The Victory of the Inquisition 233 Chapter Eight: Comrade of the Spiritual Franciscans 256 Chapter Nine: Prisoner of the Wall 279 Conclusions 314 Bibliography 326 Index 342 CULTURES, BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS 350 This biography of a controversial religious figure of the fourteenth century offers material that illuminates critical issues in the social, political and spiritual transformations - the repression of heresy, the rise of national monarchies - at the decline of the Middle Ages.