Severe Persecutions by the Inquisition in Germany, in the Year 1230

In the year 1230, in many provinces of Germany, especially in the archbishopric of Treves, very many schools and secret congregations of those who professed the doctrine of the Waldenses were discovered by Conrad of Marpurg, Inquisitor General over Germany. They were said to be heretics because they denied transubstantiation in the mass, and purgatory, saying that the prayers and intercessions of the living for the dead served no purpose, and could be of no benefit to the dead.

As for their rejection of infant baptism, the swearing of oaths, revenge or wars, together with all the traditions of the Roman church, and their desire to hold only to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, especially of the New Testament, this has already been shown.

"From their processes, and from the confessions they made on the rack," says A. Mellinus, [n443-1] "it was seen that the number of their adherents and accomplices throughout Germany, France and Italy, but especially in Lombardy, was very great."

About this time a severe inquisition was raised against them throughout Germany and Italy, by which very many were discovered and burned alive.

Abr. Mellinus (contra Trithemius) refutes the slanders cast against them, saying: "This is a willful falsehood and slander, fabricated by this monk (Trithemius), because they accused the pope." A. Mell., 2nd book, folio 465, D. Also P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 546, column 2. [n443-2]

In the meantime we will present some decrees by which, it seems, the aforementioned inquisitor was made the bolder and more daring in carrying out his unprecedented cruel inquisition and tyranny against the innocent Christian believers who had separated from the Roman church.