who were the flagellants?

Answer 1

A fanatical and heretical sect that flourished in the thirteenth and succeeding centuries, Their origin was at one time attributed to the missionary efforts of St. Anthony of Padua, in the cities of Northern Italy, early in the thirteenth century; but Lempp (Zeitschrift für Kirchengeschichte, XII, 435) has shown this to be unwarranted. Every important movement, however, has its forerunners, both in the idea out of which it grows and in specific acts of which it is a culmination. And, undoubtedly, the practice of self-flagellation, familiar to the folk as the ascetic custom of the more severe orders (such as the Camaldolese, the Cluniacs, the Dominicans), had but to be connected in idea with the equally familiar penitential processions popularized by the Mendicants about 1233, to prepare the way for the great outburst of the latter half of the thirteenth century. It is in 1260 that we first hear of the Flagellants at Perugia.

See the link below for much more

Answer 2

Flagellants were a sect that believed in self mortification. I think they made their first appearance in the 13th century?
Using whips, and various other tools, ie cudgels, they "mortified" their flesh as a form of penance...a demonstration of piety...and as a remembrance, a sort of inclusion in and to commiserate with, the trials of Christ, most especially his lashing.
They had uniforms, of a sort, and held public "spectacles" which included prayer, hymns and self mortification.

There can still be found in other countries, flagellants. Isn't it, oh, the phillipines? During lent thy have processions which include flagellation? You can look it up...I'm not sure where, but I know they still do it.

Answer 3

nutcases who used to whip themselves as a way to make God forgive them, and society.

They've always been around, but the 14th century saw them increase in popularity. Probably because of the Great Famine and the Black Plague.

Answer 4

medieval religious zealots that roamed europe whipping themselves as penance for thier sins

Answer 5

The first group of people who got off on whipping themselves. :P