Fourteenth Century

The Fratricelli (or Albi Waldenses) were nevertheless accused, though unjustly, of many and abominable crimes. For this reason many of the ancients assume that these slanders were invented against them for the express purpose of making them the objects of the hatred and envy of the people, since the slanders were utterly opposed to the doctrine they professed, and to their life. For it is recorded of them that they called themselves true followers of the apostles, and the true church of Christ, and that they for their part rebuked the corrupt morals of the prelates. There were also ascribed to them all the opinions, or articles of faith, of the Waldenses, who, as has already been shown, likewise rejected infant baptism, the swearing of oaths, revenge against enemies, the mass, and almost all the superstitions of the Roman church; so it is probable that they were of their persuasion, and had only given themselves different names, according to the different places where they lived. In the second book of the History of the Persecutions, folio 471, column 2, from Trithem. Chron. Hirsaug., in the year 1299. Also Vignier, in the year 1298. Hist. Eccl., ex Platina, Sabellico, Mari. Hist. Antonino Bernhardo de Lutzenb. Bal. Cent. 4, Script. Brittan. Append. 2, ad Joan Rufum, page 384.