Heresy

This contribution offers an overview of the most significant heretical presences in 12th-13th century Italy. Since the 11th century, the Italian peninsula had been considered the place of origin of numerous heresies, which then spread to other European regions. With the 12th century, the presence of evangelical movements (especially the Waldensians and the Humiliati) intensified and in the 13th century the fears of the Apostolic See to oppose the Cathars in particular became established. From the 13th century onwards, heresy seems to turn into dissent, also of a political nature.