Where did the Waldenses come from?

Waldenses, also spelled Valdenses, also called Waldensians, French Vaudois, Italian Valdesi, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity.

What did the Waldenses believe?

Q: What did Waldensians believe? Waldensians condemned the Catholic clergy as being unworthy of holding religious office. They also insisted on literal interpretations of the Bible and the right to read the Bible for oneself. They were pacifists and did not swear.

What were the Waldensians originally called?

Originally known as the “Poor Men of Lyon” in the late twelfth century, the movement spread to the Cottian Alps in what are today France and Italy.

Where did the Waldenses live?

The Waldensians, who now live mostly in Italy and Latin America, were founded by Peter Waldo in France in the late 12th century. He gave up his wealth and preached poverty but as the movement grew it came into increasing theological conflict with the papacy.

How are the Albigenses and Waldenses related to the Reformation?

ALBIGENSES AND WALDENSES I79 need to seek for spiritual ancestors to the Reformation.5 After the newness subsides, a time of critical examination leads to the conviction that there were other movements which, before their time, had attempted church reforms. There are several approaches to such an analysis.

Where did the name of the Waldenses come from?

Waldenses, also spelled Valdenses, also called Waldensians, French Vaudois, Italian Valdesi, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity.

Where was the religious movement of the Albigenses located?

Albigenses, also called Albigensians, the heretics—especially the Catharist heretics—of 12th–13th-century southern France. (See Cathari.) The name, apparently given to them at the end of the 12th century, is hardly exact, for the movement centred at Toulouse and in nearby districts rather than at Albi (ancient Albiga).

Who are the members of the Waldensian movement?

Alternative Titles: Valdenses, Valdesi, Vaudois, Waldensian movement. Waldenses, also spelled Valdenses, also called Waldensians, French Vaudois, Italian Valdesi, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity.