Humiliati

Their acquaintance with the German woollen manufacturers enabled them to introduce improved methods into Italy, thus giving a great impetus to the industry, supplying the poor with employment and distributing their gains among those in want.

Around 1180, the anonymous author of the Chronicon universale of Laon thus describes them: At that time there were certain citizens of Lombard towns who lived at home with their families, chose a distinctive form of religious life, refrained from lies, oaths and lawsuits, were satisfied with plain clothing, and argued for the Catholic faith.

This the pope granted them, provided that they did all things humbly and decently, but he expressly forbade them to hold private meetings or to presume to preach in public.

[1] The "Chronicon anonymi Laudunensis Canonici" (Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores, xxvi, 449), states that in 1178 a group of Lombards came to Rome with the intention of obtaining the Pope's approval of the rule of life which they had spontaneously chosen; while continuing to live in their houses in the midst of their families, they wished to lead a more pious existence, abandon oaths and litigation, be content with modest dress, and live in a spirit of piety.

In this state they remained until 1201, when, upon presentation of their constitution, Pope Innocent III reconciled them with the Church, and reorganized them in conformity with their economic and religious customs, also approving of the name "Humiliati".

[5] Pope Innocent III granted a rule to the lay branch as a "third order" that resembled the Regula de poenitentia of the Franciscan movement.

The rigor with which he did this roused such opposition among a minority that a conspiracy formed and one of the Humiliati, Girolamo Donati, called "Farina", attempted to murder Charles.

The wives of the first Humiliati, who belonged to some of the principal families of Milan, also formed a community under Clara Blassoni, and were joined by so many others that it became necessary to open a second convent, the members of which devoted themselves to the care of the lepers in a neighbouring hospital, whence they were also known as Hospitallers of the Observance.

The nuns recited the canonical Hours, fasted rigorously and engaged in other severe penitential practices, such as the "discipline" or self-inflicted whipping.