Deep Dive into Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - Account of the Persecutions in the Valleys of Piedmont

The Waldenses, seeking refuge from persecution in France, settled in the valleys of Piedmont, where they initially lived peacefully, paying tithes to the Roman clergy. However, the clergy soon complained to the archbishop of Turin, accusing the Waldenses of being heretics. Their charges included that the Waldenses did not believe in Roman Church doctrines, did not make offerings or prayers for the dead, did not attend Mass or confession, and rejected purgatory.Based on these accusations, persecution began, with many Waldenses facing brutal tortures and executions. Initially enduring the cruelty, the Waldenses eventually took up arms in self-defense, proving difficult to subdue due to their knowledge of the local passes and their desperate fighting.Philip VII, Duke of Savoy, intervened to stop the conflict. Skeptical of the priests' exaggerated claims, he investigated and found the Waldenses to be harmless and loyal. He ordered the persecution to cease, leading to a period of peace.However, after Philip VII's death, a subsequent, "bigoted papist" duke resumed persecution, instigated by public preaching by the Waldenses and pressure from the Pope's nuncio. This led to even more severe violence. The Waldenses refused demands to renounce their faith, prioritizing their souls and God's approval over temporal authority. They retreated to the Alps and formed alliances with Protestant powers.Ultimately, this duke became tired of the costly and difficult war. Influenced by the expense, loss of men, lack of plunder (which went to the clergy), his wife's death, and the Waldenses' growing alliances, he decided to make peace. Although he died before ratification, his son, Charles Emmanuel, formally ratified the peace, ensuring a period of tranquility for the Waldenses despite opposition from the ecclesiastics.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed