Waldensians

The Waldensians were a Christian movement that emerged in the late 12th century, founded by Peter Waldo in France. They sought a return to the simplicity of the early Church, emphasizing poverty, preaching, and scripture over church hierarchies and rituals. They believed everyone should have access to the Bible, leading them to translate it into the vernacular. Their ideas were seen as heretical by the Catholic Church, resulting in persecution. The Waldensians played a significant role in the history of religious dissent and contributed to later Protestant Reformation thoughts, advocating for a faith based on personal experience rather than institutional authority.