The First Polemics About Indulgences in 1412 Cover Image

Z prvních polemik o odpustky v roce 1412
The First Polemics About Indulgences in 1412

Author(s): Pavel Soukup
Subject(s): History, Theology and Religion
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Filosofický ústav
Keywords: Indulgences; Hussitism; Wycliffism; religious polemics; medieval theology; John XXIII (antipope); Ondřej of Brod; Stanislav of Znojmo; Benoît d’Alignan

Summary/Abstract: 1412 saw large-scale protests in Prague against crusading indulgences issued by Pope John XXIII. This study identifies and evaluates some polemical manuscript texts that can be situated within the context of this controversy. It offers a critical edition of the anti-indulgence pamphlet Vobis asmodeistis that was found in a money box at Prague Castle on 20 June 1412. The hitherto unknown polemic Motiva pro defensa prelatorum et indulgenciarum is also edited in the appendix. The statement arguing that prelates should not be criticised by their subjects and misdemeanors be dealt with mercy is followed by a Wycliffite refutation. Two manuscript texts on indulgences which were suspected to be treatises from 1412 by Andrew of Brod and Stanislav of Znojmo respectively are an excerpt from the Tractatus fidei by Benoît d’Alignan, with the second paragraph coming from Stanislav’s later work. In sum, the sources examined in this article show the various ways of how the events of 1412 impacted literary output.

  • Issue Year: 8/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 259-289
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Czech