CHAPTER IV.--ITALY.

Political Conditions Favoring Heresy 191

Prevalence of Unconcealed Catharism 192

Development of the Waldenses 194

Popular Indifference to the Church 196

Gregory XI. Undertakes to Suppress Heresy 199

Gradual Development of Inquisition 201

Rolando da Cremona 202

Giovanni Schio da Vicenza 203

St. Peter Martyr 207

He Provokes Civil War in Florence 210

Death of Frederic II. in 1250.--Chief Obstacle Removed 213

Assassination of St. Peter Martyr.--Use Made of it 214

Rainerio Saccone 218

Triumph of the Papacy.--Organization of the Inquisition 220

Heresy Protected by Ezzelin and Uberto 223

Ezzelin Prosecuted as a Heretic.--His Death 224

Uberto Pallavicino 228

The Angevine Conquest of Naples Revolutionizes Italy 231

Triumph of Persecution 233

Sporadic Popular Opposition 237

Secret Strength of Heresy.--Case of Armanno Pongilupo 239

Power of the Inquisition.--Papal Interference 242

Naples.--Toleration Under Normans and Hohenstaufens 244

The Inquisition Under the Angevines 245

Sicily 248

Venice.--Its Independence 249

Inquisition Introduced in 1288, under State Supervision 251

Decadence of Inquisition in Fourteenth Century 253

Disappearance of the Cathari.--Persistence of the Waldenses 254

Remnants of Catharism in Corsica and Piedmont 255

Persecution of the Waldenses of Piedmont 259

Decline of the Lombard Inquisition 269

Venice.--Subjection of Inquisition to the State 273

Tuscany.--Increasing Insubordination.--Case of Piero di Aquila 275

Continued Troubles in Florence 280

Tommasino da Foligno 281

Decline of Inquisition in Central Italy 282

The Two Sicilies.--Inquisition Subordinate to the State 284