History of flagellation among different nations

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79361

Title

History of flagellation among different nations

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection recounts historical anecdotes of religious discipline, including Henry II's public scourging and a Benedictine Abbot's strategic participation in a forbidden feast to lead monks to repentance. It also details the notorious 'Seminary of the Good Boys' in Paris, which allegedly operated as a black market for inflicting flagellations on unruly youths or avenging lovers.

Summary up to 500 words

The text presents a collection of anecdotes illustrating the extreme severity of physical discipline within certain religious and social contexts. The first narrative describes a ceremonial conflict between two processions where combatants were separated, their weapons destroyed, and their caps cleaned before resuming their separate courses. This ceremony concluded with splendid entertainments hosted by noble disciplinants who praised the piety, gallantry, and elegance of those undergoing discipline. The second story details an incident involving a Benedictine friar who secretly organized a lavish feast in a wine cellar, serving forbidden dishes and fine wine to select brothers. When the Abbot discovered them hiding in a large tun, he did not rebuke them immediately. Instead, displaying unexpected condescension, he invited himself into the tun, joined the meal, and spent hours with them. The next day, during a chapter meeting, the Abbot publicly confessed his participation in the sin and requested punishment. After initial objection from the Prior, the Abbot insisted on discipline. Consequently, all present monks also confessed their complicity, and a severe flagellation was inflicted upon each of them. The text clarifies that the Abbot's actions were not born of temptation but were a calculated strategy to lead his brothers to repentance by sharing in their guilt before administering justice. The final section focuses on the celebrated fathers of St. Lazare in Paris, known as the "Seminary of the good Boys." These religious figures were renowned for inflicting regular and severe disciplines, surpassing even the Jesuits in this regard. They operated a lucrative business where parents, tutors, and masters could hire them to correct undutiful sons, unruly pupils, or wicked apprentices. The seminary was well-equipped with implements and staffed by stout executioners who performed flagellations regardless of age or strength; payments were treated as notes payable on sight. The text recounts several accidents arising from this trade: unsuspecting young men entrusted with letters to St. Lazare were often collared and severely beaten upon delivery, believing the contents to be harmless. Furthermore, abandoned ladies would sometimes hire agents to inveigle their unfaithful lovers into the seminary under false pretenses. Once inside, the fathers would seize the gentleman and administer satisfaction to the aggrieved lady. In later times, the seminary became an object of terror in Paris, where schemes involving abusive detention were carried out with the connivance of the fathers. Individuals with estates or those wished to be removed from society were tricked into the house, detained, and charged exorbitant monthly fees for their board. The narrative concludes by noting that such abuses mirrored practices once found in mad-houses.

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Categories

• History