Flagellant Movement

The Flagellant Movement was a religious movement that emerged in the 14th century, particularly during the Black Death. Participants, known as flagellants, would publicly whip themselves as a form of penance, believing this act would atone for sins and appease God's wrath. They traveled in groups, performing rituals and seeking to promote spiritual renewal in a time of crisis. The movement raised concerns among church officials, leading to its eventual suppression by the church, as it challenged traditional religious practices and authority. The flagellants symbolized the era's intense fear and desperation in response to widespread suffering and plague.