o When he became rector at San Marco in 1491, Savonarola
adopted an apocalyptic style of preaching, condemning the
corruption of society and the church.o On the death of Lorenzo de’ Medici in 1492, he set up a
theocratic regime in Florence, seeking to establish a Christian
culture based on the Bible in opposition to the “pagan culture”
of the Humanists.o Despite being excommunicated by Alexander VI in 1497,
Savonarola continued to preach and published a defense of
Christianity. Declaring that Alexander was not even a Christian
much less pope, Savonarola turned public opinion against
himself and, after being condemned for schism and heresy, was
hanged and burned in 1498.• These Catholic reformers anticipated virtually every theme that
would form the basis of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th
century, but they remained too isolated to accomplish the goals that
in the next century would become more widely shared and more
effectively pursued.Evans, John Wyclif.
Weinstein, Savonarola.
- Discuss the ways in which “good Catholics” of the 14th and 15th centuries
anticipated in thought and action the Protestant Reformation of the
16 th century. - Comment on the following statement: The reforming initiatives of the
14 th and 15th centuries were distinguished by their focus on structural
and not merely moral changes.
Suggested Reading
Questions to Consider