He was the founder of a pantheistic movement, whose followers called themselves the Ortlibarii (or Ortliebers, Ortliebiens, Ortliebians, Ortlibenses, Ortibenses, Ordibarii).
[2] His followers were mentioned in 1239 in an anti-heresy law of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and in 1254 in a papal bull.
[3] The only statement traditionally attributed to him is "A man ought to give up all externals and follow the leadings of the Spirit within himself.
"[4] He taught a pantheistic union of man with God and the eternity of existence, contrary to the creationist dogma of the church.
[5] There are suggestions that similarities have been detected between the teaching and practices of Ortliebarii and the Waldensians, the Cathari and the Amalrcians.