Origin of heretical expressions in selected areas of the southern Netherlands in the early fifteenth century

In this thesis I emphasize on heterodox and non-conform movement, which was persecuted by ecclesial authority on the beginning of fifteenth century in so- called French Flanders. Exponents of this movement were in contact with Hussites and they allegedly adopted their beliefs. One of those non-conformists was scribe of braiders guild and cloth cutter Gilles Mersault. Mersault was from Tournai, city which was at the time of his life in turmoil of riots. The city was as many other Flemish towns heavily oriented on textile production and commerce and was often the scene of politic struggle between textile workers and rich patriciate. Mersault for two times tried to convince inhabitants of the city to resistance against ecclesial and secular authority by pamphlets describing Hussite Bohemia and evangelical ideas. He was executed in Tournai in 1423, but his pamphlets were preserved in copies. Mersault wasn't the only one convicted heretic in then Flanders. Large inquisition records were preserved, which contains large number of trials in which were Flemish non-conformist judged for being Hussites and of others heretic beliefs. Other important source of interaction between Hussites and Flemish heterodox non-conformists is a mention in Hussite chronicle by Vavřinec z Březové. Utraquist, master of the..