Heresy and Dissent in the Carolingian Empire
Matthew Bryan Gillis
Abstract Heresy and Dissent in the Carolingian Empire: The Case of Gottschalk Orbais recounts history an exceptional ninth-century religious outlaw. Frankish Christianity required obedience to ecclesiastical superiors, voluntary participation reform, belief that salvation was possible for all baptized believers. Yet Gottschalk—a mere priest—developed a controversial, Augustinian-based theology predestination, claiming only divine election through grace enabled eternal life. preached Christians within empire—including bishops—and non-Christians beyond its borders, scandalously demanding they confess his doctrine or be revealed as wicked reprobates. Even after condemnations heresy late 840s, continued activities from prison thanks monks who smuggled pamphlets subterranean community supporters. This study reconstructs career Empire’s foremost dissenter order imagine empire perspective someone worked subvert most fundamental beliefs. Examining surviving evidence (including own writings), this book analyzes Gottschalk’s literary spiritual self-representations, modes argument, prophetic claims martyrdom miraculous powers, shocking defiance bishops strategies influencing contemporaries changing political circumstances. In larger medieval dissent, case reveals how Empire preserved church coercive reform. hierarchy compelled accept correction perceived sins errors, while punishing sources corruption those rare dissenters resisted authority.