Titre du document / Document title

Between pacifism and anarchy : Peter Chelčický's teaching about society = Entre pacifisme et anarchie : l'enseignement de Peter Chelcicky sur la société

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

IWANCZAK W. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Medieval History, Pedagogical University, ul. Żeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, POLOGNE

Résumé / Abstract

Peter Chelcicky was one of the most interesting figures of the Hussite movement, whose distinctive views on the organisation of Christian society have been unjustly neglected in the west. He criticised the traditional division into three estates: the clergy who had pastoral duties, the knighthood who provided protection, and the peasants who produced the food. Chelcicky argued that this division was pagan in origin and should be given up by Christian communities. He rejected the tripartite division on the grounds that it was a hierarchical arrangement in which the two upper estates lived off and dominated the third estate of 'working people'. He rejected too not only war and aggression, but also the use of force in general. He believed that no Christian should have power over another Christian, a view which led him to the repudiation of all institutionalised authority as inconsistent with the faith and the way of salvation. His influence continued well beyond his lifetime: Tolstoy, for example, was a great admirer.

Revue / Journal Title

Journal of medieval history   ISSN 0304-4181 

Source / Source

1997, vol. 23, n^o3, pp. 271-283

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Elsevier, Oxford, ROYAUME-UNI  (1975) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Hussite ; Work ; Doctrine ; Teaching ; Pacifism ; Society ; Revolution ; Criticism ; Organization ; Prague ; Anarchy ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Hussite ; Oeuvre ; Doctrine ; Enseignement ; Pacifisme ; Société ; Révolution ; Critique ; Organisation ; Chelcicky (P.) ; Prague ; Anarchie ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 23246, 35400006855622.0050