Many People Joined Flagellant Sects

Flagellant sects began in northern Italy in the mid-13th century, but they spread across Europe during the Black Death epidemic. It was medieval religious cults who practiced public whippings as part of their discipline and devotion. Flagellant sects formed in northern Italy around 1260 and had grown large and ubiquitous. During the Black Death's ravaging of Europe in the mid-14th century, they attracted a large number of new members.

Self-flagellation was carried out as "atonement" for the sins of these radical Catholic sects, who considered the disease as a punishment from God. Groups marched around European cities, beating each other to atone for their sins and begging for repentance from the general public. These groups of 200 to 1000 people would move from town to town, forming big rings and lashing themselves with whips in a terribly painful and damaging manner. Flagellants seek to purify themselves by punishing themselves so brutally and publically. These organizations' public self-flagellation could be quite disruptive to the neighboring community. As a result, authorities frequently suppressed the groupings.