Arnold of Brescia

Question 1

Who was Arnold of Brescia?

Answer 1

Arnold of Brescia came from a noble background and was active in Lombardy and other areas of Northern Italy after being expelled from France by Louis VII in 1140.

Question 2

What was Arnold’s doctrine?

Answer 2

Arnold pushed for a return to Apostolic Poverty.

Question 3

Did Arnold’s preaching have a political dimension?

Answer 3

Yes, in the following decade, Arnold attracted a large following through his criticism of the power and property of the Church. His preaching then took on a novel political dimension when he supported Frederick Barbarossa’s imperial claims over temporal matters.

Question 4

What dispute did Arnold become embroiled in?

Answer 4

Arnold became embroiled in the dispute between the Pope and Senate in Rome.

Question 5

What did Arnold’s followers plan to do?

Answer 5

According to Eugenius, Arnold had ‘stirred up some sort of rustic mob without aristocrats or elites’, who planned on 1 November 1152 to elect a hundred permanent senators, two senators, and their own emperor.

Question 6

Who replaced Eugenius in 1155?

Answer 6

Hadrian IV replaced Eugenius in 1155 and placed an interdict on the Senate, and expelled Arnold.