Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/324

 3(,y THE SLAVIC CATHARl. hope from the fierce and inexhaustible enthusiasm of the Obser- vantine Friar, the Blessed Giacomo della Marca, who had already «ven evidence of ruthless efficiency as inquisitor of the Italian FraticeUi. In 1-132 he was accordingly sent with full powers to reform the Franciscan Order in Slavonia, and to turn its whole energies to missionary work. Under this impulsion we are told that conversions were numerous from Bosnia to Wallachia, and Eugenius IV. stimulated rivalry by also setting the Dommicans at work In 1484 Giacomo was driven out, but was sent back the next year, and distinguished himself by redoubled ardor and suc- cess, attributed, according to his biographers, partly to his miracu- lous powers. Alarmed at his progress, the wicked queen sent tour assassins to despatch him, when he extended his arms and bade them do whatever God would permit, whereupon they became rigid and suffered agonies until he prayed for their release. In- dignant at this attempt, he bearded the king and queen in full court and his boldness gained him so many converts that the kmg became alarmed for his throne. A sorcerer was accordingly em- ploved to slay the intrepid inquisitor, but Giacomo promptly ren- dered the man speechless for life. Some heretics then sawed through the supports of a platform where he was preaching. It fell but he escaped, and to this day, says the legend, the poster- itv of the perpetrators have all been born halt and lame. These proofs of divine favor led to numerous conversions, but he became involved in quarrels with the Catholic clergy, caused, we are told bv envy, and they excommunicated him, so that he was obliged to seek absolution from the pope. His triumphant career was cut short bv a summons from the Emperor Sigismund to assist in the pacification of the Hussite troubles, and his field of action was transferred to regions farther north, where we shall meet him hereafter. Even there, however, he did not forget his Bosnian enemies, for at Stuhlweissenburg, on meeting the legates of the Council of Basle, he at once asked them to exert their mfluence on Sigismund. Though King Stephen, he said, was an unbaptized hertTcwho wouldlot allow his subjects to be baptized a com- mand from the emperor would be sufficient to compel him to TeW Giacomo, moreover, had left behind him worthy disciples Lom among the natives. One of these, the Blessed Angelo of Verbosa, shone also by miraculous gifts. On one occasion the