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The First Wandering Preachers, Laura Mellinger

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis attempts to trace the origins of the wandering preachers who appeared around 1100 in Europe. These were men who took it upon themselves to wander through towns am countryside, preaching a variety of messages wherever they from an audience. They are of interest in prefiguring St Francis' style, and in exemplifying the ramification of voluntary poverty styles which formed their context. They are also important for their central role in various movements of popular piety.