A medieval French sect infamous for their radical poverty and controversial practices, excommunicated by Pope Gregory XI.
Origins and Identity
The Turlupins were a religious sect that emerged in medieval France during the second half of the 14th century. Their origins are not entirely clear, but they developed in the context of broader spiritual trends in medieval Europe, particularly the growth of lay religious movements and mystical traditions. The name “Turlupin” itself was a derisive label, likely coined by their detractors. Some scholars have suggested that the term may be derived from a combination of “turluru” (a nonsense word) and “lupin” (wolf), possibly implying that the group’s beliefs were considered foolish or dangerous.
The members of this sect preferred to identify themselves as the “society of the poor” or “fellowship of poverty.” This self-designation underscores their commitment to a vow of poverty, which was so extreme that it led to societal backlash. The Turlupins are often associated with other religious groups of the time, such as the Beguines, Beghards, and the Brethren of the Free Spirit, due to their loose affiliations and similar spiritual pursuits.
Beliefs and Practices
The Turlupins adhered to a form of mysticism that emphasized direct spiritual experiences and rejected many of the established practices and doctrines of the mainstream Church. They were associated with the broader movement of the Free Spirit, which encompassed various mystical and antinomian groups across Europe during the late medieval period. Like other Free Spirit adherents, the Turlupins believed in the possibility of achieving a state of spiritual perfection in this life, rather than solely in the afterlife.
One of the most controversial aspects of Turlupin belief and practice was their alleged rejection of clothing and embrace of nudity as a spiritual practice. According to their critics, the Turlupins believed that by shedding their clothes, they were symbolically returning to a state of innocence akin to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before the Fall. This practice, if accurately reported, would have been seen as deeply shocking and immoral by mainstream medieval society and Church authorities.
The Turlupins also reportedly rejected the sacraments and formal religious rituals of the Catholic Church, believing that direct spiritual experiences and personal revelation were more important than institutionalized forms of worship. This rejection of established religious authority and practice was a common feature of many heretical movements throughout the Middle Ages and was viewed as a serious threat by Church leaders.
Persecution and Suppression
The Turlupins’ presence was notably significant in Paris, marking them as one of the few heretical sects active in the city during that era. Their activities and the subsequent persecution they faced highlight the tension between emerging spiritual movements and the established Church. In 1372, the Turlupins faced significant persecution in Paris under the leadership of Pope Gregory XI and King Charles V of France.
This crackdown resulted in the arrest and execution of several members of the sect. A notable figure among them, a female leader named Jeanne Daubenton, was executed for witchcraft and heresy. According to contemporary accounts, her body was burned along with a collection of books and writings associated with the movement, effectively destroying much of the documentary evidence of Turlupin beliefs and practices.
The persecution of the Turlupins in Paris appears to have been largely successful in suppressing the movement, at least in its visible and organized form. After the events of 1372, references to the Turlupins become much rarer in historical sources, suggesting that the sect either went underground or dispersed. However, records suggest that a similar sect might have been active in Lille during the 1460s, pointing to the wider spread of their beliefs or practices within France.
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