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Heresy: Who, When, and Why?

By: Tom Donnelly

Throughout the ages, women have been tried as heretics. So, one should know and understand what a heretic is. Heresy was seen as a crime, committed due to an individual not following guidelines, as set down by society. In the 14th and 15th Centuries, the reasons for heresy were; disatisfaction with the social structure; and a disaffection with the increasingly hierarchical and legally structured church.(Labarge, p.209) And, who ran society during this period of time? The men, of course.

"Heresy was naturally a matter for the ecclesiastical court," (Labarge, p.209). The "ecclesiastical court" was a part of the upper class which spread heresy throughout the Middle Ages. The way in which this was done relates to persons of the church would travel to villages and spread their own views as well as those of the Church. "Pockets of heresy were endemic throughout the Middle Ages,"(Labarge, p.209). So, as one can see, heresy was a part of the upper class moreso than any other. Why? These religious women were "pious". They had a distrust toward the church and state, leading to heresy aimed at the church. These were women of "mysticism and rational theologians,"(Labarge, p.209). Almost all of these women possessed knowledge, which made them question society and the rules set down upon them by those who ran society; the men.

Two major heresies of the time were located in France and England; the Cathars and the Lollards. Both of these groups formed to reestablish the social structures of their respected countries. Women of the upper class made up the majority of each group. They questioned everything society had noted as "correct" or "right". "Because heresy questioned the authority of the established social order it was perceived as an enemy of the secular government as well as the church,"(Labarge, p.209). These were women on a quest to make society right, and to justify all things associated with church and state.

Two women of the time period stand out as heretics. These women went to the extreme to be heard, giving in to no man. Marguerite de Porete was one such woman. She used extreme language to show her dissatisfaction with the church and state government. But, before she even pushed society to change, she had already been stereotyped as a heretic. de Porete "consistently distinguished between church on earth and an ideal community of 'simple soul's',"(Labarge, p.209). Since she was dubbed a heretic by society, her writings were condemned in c.1300. And, ultimately, as most heretics were, she was condemned of heresy and burned at Paris in 1310. Another well know heretic was Margery Kempe. Even her contemporaries regarded her as a heretic. Why? She did not follow the accepted pathway to the religious vocation, thus being accused of heresy,(Norton Anthology,pp.298-308). She discovered religion not from books, but from sermons and oral means; why--because she was illiterate.

Throughout the Middle Ages, women were viewed as heretics for their efforts to change society. They could not persuade the men, who ran society. Heresy would be a problem of the ages from this day forth.... until women gained a voice in society. So, women were tried and convicted of a crime that stemmed from conformity; those who would not conform were heretics...naturally they were women?

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