c. 1170–1215

The Waldensians: Peter Waldo's Movement and Its Condemnation

The Lyon merchant Peter Waldo heard of a monk living in extreme poverty. He then dedicated himself to voluntary poverty and preaching the Gospel. The archbishop banned his followers' activity, and theologians in Rome mocked their ignorance. But the Waldensians kept preaching despite the ban.

They were condemned by the Council of Verona in 1184 and later by the Fourth Lateran Council (1215). They took refuge in Alpine valleys and survived persecution until the Reformation. In the 16th century they adopted Protestant (Calvinist) doctrine. They are the only movement of their era to survive to the present day.