Geoffrey of Auxerre and How to Fight Heresy

NOUTSOU, Stamatia. Geoffrey of Auxerre and How to Fight Heresy. In International Medieval Conference, Leeds, 1-4 July 2019. 2019.

Basic information

• Original name: Geoffrey of Auxerre and How to Fight Heresy
• Authors: NOUTSOU, Stamatia (300 Greece, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: International Medieval Conference, Leeds, 1-4 July 2019, 2019.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60304 Religious studies
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/19:00110111
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: Geoffrey of Auxerre; Heresy; Cistercians; Violence
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

“Geoffrey of Auxerre and How to Fight Heresy” The second half of the 12th century has been described by historians as a crucial period for the development of the Church’s response against heresy. This fight not only became more centralized and institutionalized as mirrored, for example, in the decisions of various ecclesiastical councils, but also in the more widespread use of potestas instead of caritas. The Cistercian Order, as historians have successfully shown, played a pivotal role in the shaping of the polemical rhetoric and the centralization of the anti-heretical fight, not least by the personal engagement of its abbots. The questions, however, as to how (1) the Cistercians abbots considered the use of violence against heresy and (2) influenced the gradual transition toward more widespread use of potestas warrant further investigation. Geoffrey of Auxerre provides one example of a Cistercian abbot who actively participated in the fight against heresy in these crucial years and merits further scholarly attention. Besides participating in Bernard of Clairvaux’s preaching mission in 1145 and playing a key role in the Council in Lyon in 1180 or 1181, Geoffrey also wrote about heresy in the Vita prima Bernardi (Books 3-5) and in two sermons in his commentary Super Apocalypsim. By analyzing his anti-heretical writings, and especially the means he employed and propagated against heresy, this paper will identify and analyze Geoffrey of Auxerre’s view on the use of coercion and his significant role in the anti-heretical struggle.

Links

• MUNI/A/1053/2018, interní kód MU: Name: Nové výzkumné metody v religionistickém výzkumu (Acronym: NOVYMREV)

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A