Flagellants of Coimbra

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Flagellants of Coimbra

The Jesuits of Coimbra, Portugal, notorious for their high life-style, do public penance for their sins, flagellating themselves through the streets. Date: circa 1560

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Media ID 580979

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1560 Coimbra Flagellants Jesuits Notorious Penance Portugal Sins Flagellating

EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the intense devotion and self-flagellation of the Flagellants of Coimbra, a notorious group of penitents in Portugal during the late 16th century. The Flagellants, who were primarily members of the Jesuit order, were known for their extravagant lifestyles, which led many to seek public penance as a means of atoning for their sins. The scene depicted in this photograph is believed to have taken place in the ancient university city of Coimbra, Portugal, around the year 1560. The Flagellants, dressed in simple robes and wearing hoods to conceal their identities, can be seen flagellating themselves with various instruments of penance, including whips and scourges. Some of the penitents are shown kneeling in prayer, while others are in various stages of self-flagellation, their faces contorted in pain and devotion. The act of public penance was a common practice during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, particularly among religious orders. The Flagellants of Coimbra were part of a larger movement of penitential brotherhoods that emerged in response to the perceived moral decay of European society during this time. However, their high-profile public displays of penance also drew criticism from some quarters, with detractors accusing them of seeking attention and even of faking their penance for personal gain. Despite the controversy surrounding their practices, the Flagellants of Coimbra remained a powerful and influential presence in Portuguese society for many years. Their dedication to self-flagellation and penance was seen by some as a sign of deep spiritual commitment, while others viewed it as a dangerous and even heretical practice. Regardless of one's perspective, this image offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and often contradictory world of religious devotion during the late Renaissance period in Portugal.

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