How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical
approach to information flow in the trials for
Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.)

J 2025

How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.)

SIKK, Kaarel; Reima VÄLIMÄKI a David ZBÍRAL

Základní údaje

Originální název

How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.)

Autoři

SIKK, Kaarel; Reima VÄLIMÄKI a David ZBÍRAL

Vydání

Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2025, 2055-7671

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

60304 Religious studies

Stát vydavatele

Velká Británie a Severní Irsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

article in the journal archive

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 1.100 v roce 2024

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Organizační jednotka

Filozofická fakulta

Klíčová slova česky

zpětná vazba; valdénští; předmoderní procesy; usvědčení; středověká inkvizice; nesouhlas; tok informací; síťová analýza; kacířství

Klíčová slova anglicky

feedback loop; Waldensians; premodern trials; incrimination; medieval inquisition; dissent; information flow; network analysis; heresy

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 21. 4. 2026 11:00, Mgr. Jolana Navrátilová

Anotace

V originále

In this study, we analyse a medieval inquisitorial campaign by conceptualizing it as an information process. We investigate how investigative decision-making was structured by testimony-driven data gathering. Our case study is Peter Zwicker's well-documented 1393-4 anti-Waldensian inquisition in Stettin. We explore the reconstruction of the inquisitor's strategy by examining the sequencing of interrogations and subsequent actions based on suspects' names appearing in previous testimonies. We assess the extent to which the process was adaptive, with suspects summoned dynamically based on new testimonies versus being guided by pre-existing knowledge. We apply network analysis and temporal visualization to incriminations operationalized as network data and use statistical methods to map the feedback between information retrieval and decision-making. Our analysis follows sequences of interrogations where deponents incriminated others on specific dates. This allows us to identify inquisitorial responses to accumulated data, distinguishing between planned strategies and reactive decisions based on new testimony. The challenge of missing data adds complexity and theoretical engagement. A substantial portion of the depositions is lost, yet we can estimate the original volume, enabling an assessment of the impact of data loss. We employ data imputation simulations to test how missing records might obscure evidence of follow-up strategies. The results indicate that network visualization must be complemented by statistical analysis. Comparisons between deponents' testimony types reveal an interplay between structured pre-planning and selective incorporation of new intelligence. By conceptualizing inquisitorial work as a dynamic information process, this study proposes a novel methodological framework for analysing historical trial documents.

Návaznosti

101000442, interní kód MU

Název: Networks of Dissent: Computational Modelling of Dissident and Inquisitorial Cultures in Medieval Europe (Akronym: DISSINET)

Investor: Evropská unie, Networks of Dissent: Computational Modelling of Dissident and Inquisitorial Cultures in Medieval Europe, ERC (Excellent Science)

Přiložené soubory

Stettin6_published_version.pdf

Požádat o autorskou verzi souboru

Citovat

SIKK, Kaarel; Reima VÄLIMÄKI a David ZBÍRAL. How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.). Digital Scholarship in the Humanities. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025, roč. 41, č. 1, s. 396-411, 17 s. ISSN 2055-7671. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1093/llc/fqaf138.

@article{2544014,
   author = {Sikk, Kaarel and Välimäki, Reima and Zbíral, David},
   article_location = {Oxford},
   article_number = {1},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/llc/fqaf138},
   keywords = {feedback loop; Waldensians; premodern trials; incrimination; medieval inquisition; dissent; information flow; network analysis; heresy},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2055-7671},
   journal = {Digital Scholarship in the Humanities},
   title = {How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.)},
   url = {https://academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/llc/fqaf138/8404543?searchresult=1},
   volume = {41},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2544014
AU  - Sikk, Kaarel - Välimäki, Reima - Zbíral, David
PY  - 2025
TI  - How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.)
JF  - Digital Scholarship in the Humanities
VL  - 41
IS  - 1
SP  - 396-411
EP  - 396-411
PB  - Oxford University Press
SN  - 20557671
KW  - feedback loop
KW  - Waldensians
KW  - premodern trials
KW  - incrimination
KW  - medieval inquisition
KW  - dissent
KW  - information flow
KW  - network analysis
KW  - heresy
UR  - https://academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/llc/fqaf138/8404543?searchresult=1
N2  - In this study, we analyse a medieval inquisitorial campaign by conceptualizing it as an information process. We investigate how investigative decision-making was structured by testimony-driven data gathering. Our case study is Peter Zwicker's well-documented 1393-4 anti-Waldensian inquisition in Stettin. We explore the reconstruction of the inquisitor's strategy by examining the sequencing of interrogations and subsequent actions based on suspects' names appearing in previous testimonies. We assess the extent to which the process was adaptive, with suspects summoned dynamically based on new testimonies versus being guided by pre-existing knowledge. We apply network analysis and temporal visualization to incriminations operationalized as network data and use statistical methods to map the feedback between information retrieval and decision-making. Our analysis follows sequences of interrogations where deponents incriminated others on specific dates. This allows us to identify inquisitorial responses to accumulated data, distinguishing between planned strategies and reactive decisions based on new testimony. The challenge of missing data adds complexity and theoretical engagement. A substantial portion of the depositions is lost, yet we can estimate the original volume, enabling an assessment of the impact of data loss. We employ data imputation simulations to test how missing records might obscure evidence of follow-up strategies. The results indicate that network visualization must be complemented by statistical analysis. Comparisons between deponents' testimony types reveal an interplay between structured pre-planning and selective incorporation of new intelligence. By conceptualizing inquisitorial work as a dynamic information process, this study proposes a novel methodological framework for analysing historical trial documents.
ER  -

SIKK, Kaarel; Reima VÄLIMÄKI a David ZBÍRAL. How inquisitive was medieval inquisition? A network-analytical approach to information flow in the trials for Brandenburg-Pomeranian Waldensians (late 14th c.). \textit{Digital Scholarship in the Humanities}. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025, roč.~41, č.~1, s.~396-411, 17 s. ISSN~2055-7671. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1093/llc/fqaf138.

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