Deane - A History of Medieval Heresy and Inquisition

Although the process of writing a concise volume might suggest the accumulation of relatively few debts, the opposite seems rather to be the case. I am deeply grateful to the many colleagues, friends, and family members who have helped me bring this book to the page, only some of whom I will be able to thank directly here. First, I wish to thank my teachers: Robin Chapman Stacey, whose wonderful classes at the University of Washington first inspired my fascination with medieval history, and whose words of encouragement to a shy undergraduate changed the course of a life; and Robert Lerner, a peerless adviser, generous mentor, and monumental scholar who profoundly shaped my approach to questions of medieval faith and persecution. Richard Kieckhefer also contributed mightily to my understanding of religious enculturation, heresy, and inquisition. Any value in these pages derives from their influence, for which I am most grateful. Thanks also to Michael Bailey for originally suggesting the project and for the great influence of his scholarship and friendship alike.

The volume has benefitted enormously from the incisive comments of those who generously agreed to read portions or entire drafts. Christine Caldwell Ames, Patrick Hornbeck, Stephen Lahey, Charlotte Radler, and the anonymous readers provided crucial corrections and valuable suggestions. I have endeavored to incorporate their insight as fully as possible, and I take full responsibility for any errors and omissions in the pages that follow.

Julie Eckerle and Jennifer Rothchild kept the writing momentum under way with their marvelous combination of critical insight, personal encouragement, and humor; and David Estrin was a delight to work with as he clarified and polished the entire manuscript. Finally, Susan McEachern and Carrie Broadwell-Tkach at Rowman & Littlefield smoothed every step of the process and provided much-needed advice along the way. Their contributions have been vital, and I have learned much through our various conversations and exchanges.

I have incurred many debts of gratitude to colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Morris. My sincerest thanks to the library staff: to LeAnn Dean, for so graciously enhancing the BRBX shelves of the Briggs Library collection; and to Sandy Kill, interlibrary loan manager extraordinaire, whose lightning speed and efficiency (even when dealing with multiple languages and sometimes perplexing diacritical marks) make her a truly invaluable colleague. I appreciate the administrative support of Terri Hawkinson, Sharon Severance, and Laura Burks of the Social Science division office, as well as their friendship and patience through the years. My fellow historians have been a great source of encouragement and collegiality, particularly Marynel Ryan van Zee. I am also grateful to Roger Wareham in the grants management office for his assistance, and for financial support secured through UMM faculty research enhancement funds and the University of Minnesota Imagine Fund.

UMM students have also contributed significantly to this volume. In particular, I would like to acknowledge those who took my Popular Religion, Heresy, and Inquisition course in the spring of 2007, especially my able Dominicans Ashley Deering and Adam Gorecki. All of the students questions, quaestiones , and inquisitiones prompted me to consider the material from new angles, and I wrote the volume with them very much in mind. I am also grateful to everyone who attended the public lecture series on medieval heresy and inquisition in the fall of 2007 and participated in conversations that helped me to formulate the books themes and tone. Thanks also to Seth Harrington and the Morris Academic Partnership (MAP) program for his insightful suggestions on early drafts, and to Emily Holstrom for her engaging thoughts on the final draft.

Much of this volume was written while on retreat at the St. Johns Abbey Guesthouse in Collegeville, Minnesota. Sincere thanks to Father Robert Pierson (OSB) and his staff for their gracious hospitality over the course of my visits. The remainder of the book was composed at Common Cup Coffeehouse in Morris, Minnesota, and so I would like to salute Sue Bruer, Rose Wagner, and their terrific student staff for the unfailing supply of good coffee and equally good cheer. Finally, deepest gratitude to my dear ones, who continue to show me how to live well in the world: parents Mary and Ivan, Sarah and Chad and the boys, and Sioban. Above all, I dedicate the book to my beloved Brad, Lucy, and Tess, who are my own bit of heaven on earth.