Dear Jon,
Pilgrimage as a Penitential Punishment for Heresy
Doesn't inquisitorial practice help to differentiate the shrines of
Christendom between 'maiores' and 'minores'? Gui's handbook would make one
think so, although the distinction begins earlier. Also, isn't the
distance/ seriousness of the crime ratio maintained, along with the
spiritual dignity of the shrine (e.g Rome)? Many of the pilgrimages listed
by Gui are to localized southern French shrines--aren't they?--and many of
these possess only a limited regional fama. Also, we mustn't forget the
Flemish towns which still used involuntary pilgrimage as a secular
punishment in the later middle ages.
Gary Dickson
University of Edinburgh
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