In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, we dive into the radical, rebellious, and deeply spiritual life of Marguerite Porete — a 13th-century mystic who dared to challenge the Church with her book, The Mirror of Simple Souls. She believed the soul could become so united with God that it no longer needed the Church, the sacraments, or even moral rules. Marguerite wasn’t a nun. She was part of the Beguines, a group of laywomen who lived spiritually independent lives outside traditional Church structures. But when her mystical writings started to spread, the Church saw her as a threat. What followed was book burnings, Inquisition trials, and eventually, her execution in 1310. The church tried to silence her, but they failed.

Love the episode? Drop us a rating or review and share with your history-loving friends. It helps new listeners find the show!

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.