Response to 12th Century Heresies

Question 1

Who were important in the Church’s suppression of heresy in the 1140s?

Answer 1

Cistercians, such as Bernard of Clairvaux (Abbot), were important in the Church’s suppression of heresy in the 1140s.

Question 2

What was the reputation of the Cistercians?

Answer 2

The “White Monks” had a reputation for austerity, organization, and intellectualism - traits later shared (imitated?) by Dominicans.

Question 3

Against whom did Bernard of Clairvaux begin preaching in 1145?

Answer 3

Bernard began preaching against Cathars in Languedoc and the Rhineland in 1145.

Question 4

Who asked Bernard for advice over Dualist heretics in the Rhineland?

Answer 4

Everwin of Steinfeld, a friar from Cologne, wrote to Bernard in 1143, asking for advice over Dualist heretics in the Rhineland.

Question 5

What is the origin of Bernard’s “foxes in the vineyard sermon”?

Answer 5

Bernard wrote that his anxiety over the Lord’s vineyard, i.e. the Church and the world, was leading him to look outside the domestic vineyard, i.e. the monastery. This is the origin of his “foxes in the vineyard sermon.”

Question 6

What did Caesarius of Heisterbach compile?

Answer 6

Cistercians like Caesarius of Heisterbach compiled the Dialogue of Miracles, which contained anecdotes about heresy in Cologne, Metz, and Strasbourg.

Question 7

What is the source of the phrase “Slay them, God knows his own”?

Answer 7

The Dialogue of Miracles was the source of the phrase “Slay them, God knows his ow