Toleratio malorum, hidden sinners and heresies

Abstract

In opposition to a tradition that located the birth of tolerance in postmedieval times, and in opposition to the weight of the historiography about persecuting society in Late Middle Ages, there has been established the existence of a medieval discourse of tolerance. Defined in its own terms, the toleratio malorum depends on the level of openness the authorities grant to themselves or on their evaluation of utility given by the autoimposed limitation. The survey of loci where there is discussed the Church’s correctional power and the need (practical or mandatory) of tolerance may also include heresy in its view if there is considered the notion of secret crime, an issue rather neglected by historians of this subject.